The TV cameras will be in attendance as Darren Moore’s men will try to bounce back at home on Monday evening. Here’s our preview…
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Stockport County
- Date: Monday 27th October, 8pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, PVTV abroad
A “need to reset” – are changes due?
Darren Moore has said the side needs to “reset” after the disappointing loss to Wigan. With the manager fond of making changes could that happen on Monday? The week has given some players the chance of rest and assimilation into the squad so does that mean Cameron Humphreys and Marvin Johnson will both start? The team have missed Humphrey’s calm presence at the back while Johnson, as a recognised left wingback would be a better choice than an out of position Ronan Curtis.
Who plays upfront?
Presuming it’s a front two, there’s an interesting selection quandary for Moore. Devante Cole is near certain to start but which of George Hall, Dejaune Brown, Jayden Stockley and Ruari Paton does he select to partner him?
What is going to happen to the “outcasts”?
With such a big squad, some players have barely featured in recent weeks. The list includes Marko Marosi, Jordan Shipley, Funso Ojo and Ben Waine. Is there a need for Vale to mount a clear-out in the New Year?
Known injury list
Mitch Clark, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are long-term injured. Jaheim Headley and Cameron Humphreys are injury doubts.
Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)
Gauci – Debrah, Humphreys, Hall – John, Byers, Croasdale, Johnson
Cameron Humphreys – could he return?
Related features
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Stockport County
- League: League One
- Manager: Dave Challinor
- Stadium: Edgeley Park
- Trivia: In the early 1930s, Stockport County played in a black and white home kit
Meet the manager
50 year-old former Fylde and Hartlepool Utd manager Dave Challinor has been in charge of Stockport since 2021. He guided the club back to the Football League as well as promotion to League One in 2024. He’s been in charge for 224 games, winning 123 of them.
Recent form
Excellent. County have won their last three League games and currently sit in fourth place in the League Table.
Last match
County defeated Exeter City 1-0 last weekend with former Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe scoring the winner.
Danny Bergara Stand, Edgeley Park, Stockport by Jaggery, Creative Commons licence
Our opponent’s history
Stats
- Record appearance holder: Andy Thorpe (555)
- Record goalscorer: Jack Connor (132)
- Record win: 7-0 versus Wrexham, 1893
Brief History
Stockport County were formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers and they were renamed Stockport County in 1890. They joined the Football League in 1900. They dropped out after one season only to return in 1904 and County then played in the Football League continuously for 106 years until 2011 when they were relegated to the National League. They returned to League Two in the summer of 2024.
Pub bore fact
The club is nicknamed “The Hatters” after the town’s former hat-making industry.
Stadium
Stockport have played at the 10,852 capacity Edgeley Park since 1902. The club previously played at Green Lane.
Trivia
The Sykes family sold the Edgeley Park stadium site to Stockport County in 1932 for £1,600.
From our archive
This site has been around for thirty years and has over 10,000 articles. Here’s a couple related to the opposition…
Connections and previous meetings
Head-to-head record
- Vale wins: 32
- Vale losses: 24
- Draws: 20
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1900 when it ended in a 1-0 home defeat for the Valiants. Vale had to wait a further four games for their first win which came in 1902. The last League meeting between the two sides was back in 2011 and ended in a 2-1 loss for Vale.
Last time we met
The two sides may not have met in the League recently but they did play a Football League Trophy fixture in 2020. It finished 1-0 to Vale with Chris Hussey the unlikely scorer.
Player connections
Midfielder Ryan Croasdale will be desperate to play against his former club. The reigning Port Vale player of the year joined on a free from Stockport last summer. Other recent connections include Rico Richards, who enjoyed a previous loan spell with County and Lewis Cass, who was loaned to County from Vale.
Vintage connection
Central defender Gareth Owen made over 200 appearances for both Stockport and Vale during a lengthy playing career. Owen played for Stockport between 2006 and 2009 before he joined the Valiants in 2008 where he enjoyed a five year spell.
Ryan Croasdale: previously played for Stockport
Over to you
Predict the score
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 –
Quiz
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Stockport County manager?
Who is Stockport’s record goalscorer?
What was the score when the sides last met?
Which current Port Vale player had a loan spell with County?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Dave Challinor
Jack Connor
Port Vale 1-0 Stockport County (FLT)
Rico Richards
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is slim pickings as it’s Bruno Ribeiro’s summer signings for Port Vale. How did you fare?
0/4 – Carlos Saleiro
1/4 – Chris Mbamba
2/4 – Paulo Tavares
3/4 – Riginio Cicilia
4/4 – Alex Jones
Scroll down to post a comment on this feature.
Your guest writer touched on a few points about recruitment, he highlighted the large squad and how in a number of positions we are top heavy resulting in a number of players not being used. He also touched on the point of the need for an attacking goal scoring midfielder. May I point out we had two very good attacking midfielders in the squad last season in Garrity and Chislett, Garrity was played out of position as the anchor man while Chislett was left on the bench or in the stand. Now yet again a similar situation is operating, Garrity again is being for me misused, and player of the season Croasdale is the one being left on the bench or even in the stand. We do have a manager who for me plays his favourite players (I.e. Byers) in favour of his better players (Croasdale, Ojo and Walters). By playing Byers and other players who suite his way of playing we are loosing a lot of energy and mobility in the middle of the park. This squad is better than our league position shows and personally I think it’s the Manager holding us back.