TV, VAR and Premier League opponents are the next things for the Valiants to encounter… Here’s our match preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Sunderland
- Date: Sunday 8th February 2026, 1:30pm
- Competition: FA Cup fifth round
- Viewing guide: TNT Sports in the UK
Talking points
New ground for Vale!
Many fans will not have expected Vale to be out of the cup at this stage and the delayed fourth round has hardly given supporters chance to take a breath. One thing they will quickly need to get to grips with is the first use of the controversial VAR system at Vale Park.
Shock for Sunderland?
The state of Vale’s pitch may be something of a leveller on Sunday and it could certainly be a shock for top-flight opponents Sunderland. It’s probably about as far away from the carpets in the Premier League as you can get.
Known injury list
Ben Garrity and George Byers remain injury doubts.
Possible Vale line-up (3-4-3)
Gauci – Magloire, Humphreys, C.Hall – John, Ojo, Walters, Gordon – G.Hall, Stockley, Waine
VAR – coming this weekend to Vale Park
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Sunderland
- Manager: Régis Le Bris
- Stadium: Stadium of Light
Need to know
Meet the manager
50 year-old Frenchman Régis Le Bris was appointed Sunderland manager in June 2024. He was an immediate success, guiding the club back to the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 season after a eight year absence. The club have enjoyed a great return to the top-flight and sit in 11th place. His record stands at 34 wins from 83 games in charge.
Recent form
Sunderland’s League form has not been great with just one win in their last five games. That victory was a 1-0 away win over Leeds in midweek.
How they got there
Sunderland narrowly beat Oxford United 1-0 in the fourth round.
Manager Regis Le Bris
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record League appearance holder: 627, Jimmy Montgomery
- Record League goalscorer: 228, Bobby Gurney
- Record FA Cup win (just in case): 11-1 vs Fairfield FC in 1895
Over the years
History in fifty words
The club was founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. in what was believed to be 1879. It was renamed as Sunderland AFC the following year and joined the Football League in 1890. They won the League Championship just one year later. In total, the club has won the League six times, the FA Cup twice and the Football League Trophy last season.
Stadium
The club moved to the Stadium of Light from Roker Park in 1997. Somewhat ignominiously, the new ground was opened by the then Prince Andrew. It currently has a huge 49,000 capacity.
The Stadium of Light
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: 3
- City wins: 9
- Draws: 10
Previous games
Fixture history
Ironically the two sides’ first meeting was also in the FA Cup back in the 1935-36 season. There’s maybe a lesson in here for the current side. Pitched against the future League Champions, Vale held out for a well deserved 2-2 away draw at Roker Park. They then stunned their opponents with a 2-0 win at the Recreation Ground. George Stabb and William Rhodes were the goal heroes in a 2-0 win. Since then, meetings between the two sides have been few and far between with Vale adding just two more wins to their tally.
Last time we met
Jamie Proctor was on target in a 2-1 League Cup loss back in 2021. The two sides also met in the Football League Trophy earlier that year. The last meeting in the FA Cup was in 2020 – Tom Pope scoring in a 2-1 loss.
Jamie Proctor – last Vale scorer against Sunderland
Colin Grainger – a notable player for both clubs
Played for both
Recent connections
There haven’t been many transfers between the two clubs in recent years. Over recent seasons the likes of Jonny Maddison, Craig James, Colin West and Billy Knott have appeared for both sides.
Vintage connections
Our vintage selection enjoyed probably his finest Port Vale moment against his former club. Colin Grainger, the 28 year-old ex-Sunderland and England winger was the star as the Valiants secured a 1962 FA Cup giantkilling. With a performance described as “a magical piece of soccer history” Grainger inspired a 2-0 replay victory for the Vale.
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 Sunderland manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Sunderland?
In which year were Sunderland believed to be formed?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Sunderland?
In which year were Sunderland believed to be formed?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Régis Le Bris
Port Vale 1-2 Sunderland
3
1879
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is Vale FA Cup performances
0/4 – Enfield 1981
1/4 – Chasetown 2007
2/4 – Bristol Rovers 2025
3/4 – Spurs 1988
4/4 – Everton 1996
Don’t give them too much respect.It didn’t work against Boro and Arsenal.