After the humiliating 5-0 loss to Huddersfield Town, Darren Moore still remains in place and the Vale still remain in bottom place. Next up it’s a trip to Bradford. Here’s our match preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Bradford City
- Date: Tuesday December 29th, 7.45pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Moore still in charge
It’s somewhat remarkable that after such a poor run of form and the gap to safety widening that manager Darren Moore still remains in place. Another loss will heap more pressure on the underfire manager.
Expect changes?
Moore’s usual reaction to a defeat such as the one at Huddersfield is to ring the changes – so we expect them for this game. The line-up and formation are pretty much any one’s guess.
Known injury list
Ben Garrity, Funso Ojo, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are all long-term injured.
Possible Vale line-up
Anyone’s guess, really.
Darren Moore – still in charge
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Bradford City
- Manager: Graham Alexander
- Stadium: Valley Parade
Need to know
Meet the manager
54 year-old Graham Alexander has been in charge of Bradford since November 2023, steering them to League One at the end of last season. His previous clubs include Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, Motherwell and MK Dons – as he approaches 600 games as a manager. His spell with Bradford has produced 60 wins from 120 games in charge.
Recent form
Really good with just one loss in their last five League games.
Last match
A 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day.
Manager Graham Alexander
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Cecil Podd, 502
- Record goalscorer: Bobby Campbell, 143
- Record win: 11-1 vs Rotherham Utd, 1928
Over the years
Brief History
The club was founded in 1903 and was immediately elected into the Football League. They were promoted into the first division in 1908 and won the FA Cup final in 1911. In 1999 they reached the Premier League where they enjoyed a two year stay.
Stadium
Valley Parade was built in 1886 originally as the home of a rugby club. That club changed codes in 1903 and became Bradford City with Valley Parade as their home ground. It has a current capacity of more than 24,000.
The Valley Parade stadium
Archive
This site is thirty years old and has thousands of posts. Here are a couple to feature the opposition.
Head-to-head
How it stands
- Vale wins: 36
- Draws: 33
- Vale losses: 45
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1903 when it ended in a comprehensive 5-3 win for the Valiants. The goalscorers were Tom Coxon (2), Adrian Capes, Tom Simpson and an own-goal. The return match was a 1-1 draw, The clubs last met during the 2021-22 with Vale unbeaten during both fixtures.
Last time we met
The home fixture this season was postponed so the last result was when the Vale earned a vital 2-0 victory back in April thanks to goals from Mitch Clark and Lorent Tolaj.
Mitch Clark – his first Vale goal was against Bradford
Devante Cole in Bradford colours
Played for both
Player connections
There is one on either side. Striker Devante Cole is facing one of his former clubs while former loanee Will Swann is in the Bradford squad.
Vintage connection
Forward Ron Futcher earned cult status at Vale Park after he joined in 1988 following his signing from Bradford City. Futcher had joined the Bantams for £40,000 in 1987 and scored 23 times in 53 appearances. Rudge infamously gazumped Mansfield Town to Futcher’s signature and the veteran proved the ideal foil to Darren Beckford as the side romped to promotion in 1989. Futch scored 23 times in 69 games and (another Rudge masterstroke) was then sold for a £25,00 profit to Burnley.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans
Join the debate:
The Vale Park stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Bradford City manager?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Bradford?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Bradford?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Graham Alexander
1903
Port Vale 2-0 Bradford City
Devante Cole
Quiz ratings
0/4 – Terry Owen
1/4 – Mark Cullen
2/4 – Kian Harratt
3/4 – Billy Paynter
4/4 – Lee Mills
Today’s theme is strikers to appear for both clubs
Moore chance of winning the lottery (sorry he already has) than getting anything other than a good thumping. Luckily for me I’m at work tomorrow so will have to to watch on tv from behind a cushion,and switch to eastenders when we’re 3 nil down! and thats me being optimistic.