The Valiants served up a welcome and surprise away win at Peterborough United on Thursday. Three days later they take on Wigan. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Wigan Athletic
- Date: Sunday 19th April, 3pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, PVTV overseas
Talking points
Stick or twist?
Jon Brady rotated his squad for the Thursday fixture and his scratch side put on a strong performance. With so many games in a short space of time the question is – should he stick with the players who performed well on Thursday. There’s a strong argument that the likes of two goal Ethon Archer should be given a second start in a row.
Known injury list
Kyle John, Funso Ojo, Jayden Stockley, Ben Heneghan and George Byers all remain injury doubts.
Possible Vale line-up
Gauci – Humphreys, C.Hall, Campbell – Gabriel, Croasdale, Walters, Shipley, Gordon – Archer, Brown
Ethon Archer – keeps his place?
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Wigan Athletic
- Manager: Gary Caldwell
- Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
44 year-old Gary Caldwell returned for a second spell as Wigan boss in February. The Scot won promotion with Athletic in his first spell and he’s also been in charge at Chesterfield, Partick Thistle and Exeter City. His record for his second spell is seven wins from 13 games in charge.
Recent form
Good. Wigan are on a run of three straight wins. In fact, they’ve won five of their last eight games.
Last match
A 3-0 win over strugglers Rotherham United.
Manager Gary Caldwell
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Kevin Langley (317)
- Record goalscorer: Andy Liddell (70)
The Brick Community Stadium
Over the years
Brief History
Founded in 1932, Wigan have played at the DW Stadium since 1999, before which they played at Springfield Park. They won promotion to the top flight in 2005, were beaten finalists in the League Cup in 2006 and won the FA Cup in 2013.
Pub bore fact
The establishment of Wigan Athletic was the sixth attempt to create a major football club in the town. It follows the demise of (takes deep breath) Wigan AFC, County, United, Town and Borough. It’s a good job the word “Athletic” was still available or they may have run out of something to call the new club..
Stadium
Wigan have played at the Brick Community Stadium (formerly the JJB stadium) since 1999. Wigan Athletic had spent the previous 67 years playing at Springfield Park.
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: 14
- Vale defeats: 13
- Draws: 8
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in an FA Cup tie in 1969 when it finished in a 1-1 draw with John James scoring. It took two more replays for Vale to beat their non-league opponents with James again scoring the winner in a 1-0 second replay win (see the clipping above). The last player to score for Vale against Wigan is Ethan Chislett, who scored a hat-trick back in December 2023.
Last time we met
Wigan defeated the Valiants 1-0 earlier this season despite playing with ten men.
Ethan Chislett – last Vale scorer against Wigan
Ben Amos – appeared for both
Played for both
Recent connections
Reserve goalkeeper Ben Amos was signed after a spell at Wigan. Former Port Vale striker Devante Cole had a two year spell with Wigan Athletic in 2018. He was limited to just seven appearances before moving on. Meanwhile, former Vale loanee Jenson Weir is now on the books at Wigan. Other players to appear for both include Gavin Massey, Michael Brown and Sam Morsy
Vintage connection
Striker Bert Llewellyn had prolific spells with both clubs. The forward joined Port Vale in 1960 and scored fifty goals in 101 appearances during a three year stay. He was even more prolific at Wigan scoring 140 times in 185 games during what was the final club of his playing career.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
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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 Wigan manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Wigan?
Which current Vale keeper played for Wigan?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Wigan?
Which current Vale keeper played for Wigan?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Gary Caldwell
Wigan Athletic 1-0 Port Vale
14
Ben Amos
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both
0/4 – Jenson Weir
1/4 – Gavin Massey
2/4 – Michael Brown
3/4 – Sam Morsy
4/4 – Bert Llewellyn
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