Two wins and two clean sheets in cup competitions are welcome but the real goal will be a run of form in the League. It starts on Saturday and here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Mansfield Town
- Date: Saturday January 17th, 3pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: not available in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Vale boosted by wins, returns from injury
The two cup wins have been pretty universally positive for the Valiants. The team seem to have responded well to new boss Brady while there has also been the welcome return from injury of Funso Ojo, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon. The first two, in particular, could force their way into contention for starts on Saturday.
Does Hall needs to start?
He may only have been on the pitch briefly in midweek but George Hall again showed why he can offer a point of difference. It was Hall’s pace and skill which set up Ben Waine for the winner and with Vale so short of goals in their League campaign, Hall could be a crucial player on Saturday. He surely needs to start.
Known injury list
Connor Hall and Ben Garrity remain sidelined although they are close to returns.
Possible Vale line-up (4-4-2)
Gauci – Clark, Heneghan, Humphreys, Johnson – G.Hall, Byers, Ojo, Waine – Stockley, Cole
George Hall – key player
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Mansfield Town
- Manager: Nigel Clough
- Stadium: Field Mill stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
59 year-old Nigel Clough needs little introduction. After spells at Burton Albion, Sheffield United and Derby County, Clough joined Mansfield in November 2020. He has been in charge for 286 games winning 122 of them. He also guided the club to promotion in 2024.
Recent form
Strong. Mansfield have won four in a row in League and Cup including last weekend’s upset over Championship side Sheff Utd.
Last match
That dramatic 4-3 FA Cup third round win last weekend.
Manager Nigel Clough
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record goalscorer: Harry Johnson (114)
- Most appearances: Rod Arnold (522)
- Biggest win: 9-2 (on two occasions)
Over the years
Brief History
The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changing its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1902 and finally Mansfield Town in 1910. They were admitted to the Football League in 1931 before losing their League status in 2008. They spent five years in non-league before returning in 2013.
Stadium
Field Mill has a claim to be the oldest ground in the Football League having been in use since 1850. It was previously the home ground of Mansfield Mechanics before being taken over by Mansfield Town in 1919.
Trivia
Originally formed as a church team – Mansfield Wesleyans, the ambitious club dropped the “Amateur” tag from their name in 1906. Outraged, the church refused to have anything to do with this new-fangled “professionalism” and cut all ties with the club.
The Field Mill 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: 26
- Vale losses: 18
- Draws: 17
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in the 1936-37 season having two memorable encounters. Vale won the first-ever game 5-1 only to lose the return match 7-1. One of the other more thrilling meetings (from a Vale perspective) was the play-off final win at Wembley in 2022 (more on that above).
Last time we met
The Valiants recorded a rare home win earlier in the season when they triumphed 2-1 thanks to a last -gasp Ronan Curtis penalty.
Ronan Curtis – the last Vale goalscorer against Mansfield
Mal Benning – in Mansfield colours
Played for both
Player connections
While there are no current players to appear for both sides, there are a number of them to do so in recent seasons. The list includes striker Will Swan, wingback Mal Benning, midfielder Harry Charsley and goalkeeper Aidan Stone.
Vintage connection
Talented winger Johnny Miller joined the Valiants from Mansfield Town in 1980. He had made over a hundred appearances for the Stags, helping them to promotion in 1977. He quickly became a key player before sadly a knee injury forced his retirement. He made 31 appearances scoring five times in a Vale shirt. Miller sadly passed away in 2016.
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 Mansfield manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Mansfield?
In what year were Mansfield formed?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Mansfield?
In what year were Mansfield formed?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Nigel Clough
Port Vale 2-1 Mansfield Town
26
1897
Quiz ratings
In tribute to new man Jon Brady, the theme is recent Vale managers. How did you fare?
0/4 – Jim Gannon
1/4 – Bruno Ribeiro
2/4 – Darren Moore
3/4 – Darrell Clarke
4/4 – Micky Adams
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