Port Vale v Gillingham preview – time for a promotion party and a possible title tilt?

It’s the final game of the season and a chance to celebrate a successful season for Darren Moore’s men. Here’s our preview…

The Vale perspective

Match news

As widely reported, there will be home fans in the Bycars stand for the first time since 2023 after the club agreed for a portion of the stand to be allocated to Vale supporters. Around a thousand Vale fans will be in there which could result in the club’s biggest attendance for years.

Other news

There will still be an opportunity to celebrate at Vale Park after the club announced a promotion celebration will take place on May 10th. More details will follow. You may also want to read our promotion review opinion piece which was published earlier this week.

Fitness

The Valiants will be missing captain Ben Garrity, wingback Kyle John, defender Ben Heneghan and utility player James Plant who are all out for the remainder of the season. They will no doubt all be on the sidelines to join in with the celebrations.

Team selection

There’s still a possible title place to play for so we don’t expect too many changes to the starting eleven. It probably means that the midfield will comprise of Byers, Walters and Croasdale with Tolaj and Stockley upfront.

Viewing guide

This game has not been selected for broadcast by Sky+ so will not be available for viewers in the UK. Vale fans based abroad can watch the game through the PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

A promotion celebration and a Port Vale legend in the opposition dugout. It happened in 2013 when then Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth congratulated Vale fans (see the photo) and it’s happening again. The ormer Vale winger took over at the Gills in March and the club have yet to lose under his tenure. Ainsworth has previously managed Wycombe Wanderers, QPR and Shrewsbury Town.

Form

Decent. Gillingham are on a long unbeaten run of eleven games but that does include eight draws. They drew 1-1 with Swindon Town on Saturday and their last away game was also a draw – 1-1 versus Cheltenham Town.

Team news

Gillingham are set to be without injured strikers Elliott Nevitt and Oli Hawkins for the trip to Burslem while Joe Gbode is suspended. It means that Gillingham’s loanees come into the equation – with Chelsea’s Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Crystal Palace’s Asher Agbinone on standby

Connections

Vintage connections

As there are no current players who have played for both sides, here are some of the players to have played for both in recent years.

• Defender Leon Legge had spells with both sides
• Striker Ben Williamson moved to Gillingham after leaving the Valiants
• Striker Gary Mulligan had loan spells with both clubs plus a permanent spell with the Gills
• Defender Gary West was signed from Gillingham in 1989 and helped Vale secure promotion
• Former club captain Doug Loft moved to the Gills from the Valiants

Featured connection

Striker Basil Hayward earned his place in the Vale history books as the leading scorer of the legendary Iron Curtain side. The 1953-54 team broke numerous League and club records as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. After twelve years playing for Vale, Hayward had a spell with Yeovil Town before entering management with Gillingham. He was in charge for five years winning 91 of 285 games in charge. Basil sadly passed away in 1989 aged just 61 years of age.

For more on the legendary Iron Curtain side please click here

History

Last time we met

Vale were top of the table when they travelled to Kent in November. The home side ended a run of seven games without a win to upset the Valiants 1-0. The winner was scored by sub Jayden Clarke in the 79th minute. It ended a Vale unbeaten League run of ten games.

Fixture history

The two sides first met in 1950 at Priestfield when it finished in a honourable 1-1 draw. Unusually, Vale had been placed in Division Three South that season. Sydney Peppitt was the scorer of Vale’s first goal against the Gills. In the return fixture, Vale obtained a dramatic 4-3 win at Vale Park thanks to goals from Walter Aveyard (2, pictured), Ken Griffiths and Len Barber. The Valiants have a good recent record at Priestfield being unbeaten in their last three visits.

Memorable match

In the 1962-63 season, Vale got through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. On the way they defeated Gillingham 4-2 in the third round. Played in front of 6,713 at Priestfield, the Vale scorers that day were Stan Steele (pictured), Stan Edwards, Peter Ford and Colin Grainger with a penalty. Vale would lose to First Division Sheff Utd in the next round.

Archive

Brief history

The club was founded in 1893 as New Brompton Football Club and renamed to Gillingham FC in 1912. They initially joined the Football League in 1920 but were voted out in favour of Ipswich Town in 1938. The club was voted back into the League in 1950. The club has won promotion five times and their highest League position is eleventh in the Championship in 2003.

Opinion and quiz

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…

Port Vale v Gillingham match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. Gareth Ainsworth
2. Gillingham 1-0 Port Vale
3. 1893

The tough one: 149

How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.