Things continue to look grim as Jon Brady’s side travel to Stevenage for their evening fixture. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Stevenage
- Date: Tuesday 17th February 7.45pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Waine deserves forward berth
New Zealand International Ben Waine was the only Vale player to come out of the 4-0 loss to Stockport County with any credit. He looked a threat upfront alongside Jayden Stockley and perhaps that partnership could be maintained for this game. .
Brady to go with full-backs?
The return of Kyle John (who missed the Stockport clash) seems inevitable and welcome. He’s best placed to fill the right-back role. We suspect Brady may stick with Eli Campbell on the left. Despite a patchy start, Campbell possibly offers more defensively on the left than Gordon and Headley.
Known injury list
Ben Garrity and George Byers remain injury doubts.
Possible Vale line-up (4-4-2)
Gauci – John, Humphreys, C.Hall, Campbell – G.Hall, Croasdale, Ojo, Archer – Waine, Stockley
Ben Waine – play him upfront?
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Stevenage
- Manager: Alex Revell
- Stadium: Lamex Stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
42 year-old Alex Revell is in his second spell as Stevenage boss. Appointed in April 2024 this spell has yielded 34 wins from 93 games in charge.
Recent form
Sitting in ninth place, Stevenage’s form in 2026 has fallen away after a fantastic first-half showing. They have just two wins from their last twelve League games.
Last match
Stevenage turned things around with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town – their first win in three games.
Manager Alex Revell
Opposition history
Essentials
- Most goals: Martin Gittings (217)
- Most appearances: Ronnie Henry (502)
- Biggest win: 11-1 v British Timken Athletic, 1980
Over the years
Brief History
Stevenage Borough were founded in 1976 following the demise of the town’s former club. They reached the Conference in 1994 but were denied promotion in 1996 after failing to meet ground requirements. However, the club did eventually win promotion in 2010. After promotion, the club dropped “Borough” from their name and won promotion to League One in 2011 before being relegated back to League Two in 2014. They bounced back to League One in 2023.
Stadia
The club plays at Broadhall Way, which was previously the home to Stevenage Town and Stevenage Athletic. It has a capacity of 7,300.
The Lamex 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: 4
- Vale losses: 6
- Draws: 12
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in a competitive fixture in 2009 for an FA Cup tie with Adam Yates scoring Vale’s first goal against Stevenage. The first League meeting took place in 2011 and ended in a 3-1 Vale loss. Vale’s first win in the League didn’t come until 2020.
Last time we met
Vale lost 2-1 at home earlier in the season in a game notable for Lorent Tolaj’s final goal in a Port Vale shirt. The winner came from a late Jamie Reid strike.
Lorent Tolaj – scorer in last meeting
Tom Pett playing for Stevenage
Played for both
Recent player connections
There are no players in either squad who have appeared for both sides. In recent years, players to appear for both include former Vale captain Tom Conlon, midfielder Tom Pett, defender Ryan Johnson midfielder Darren Murphy and striker Tyler Walker who had loan spells at both clubs.
Vintage connection
With Stevenage a relatively new club, there haven’t been many signings from yesteryear. Possibly one of the first players to appear for both was striker Paul Mahorn, who played a solitary game for Vale in 1998. He then joined Stevenage later that year.
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 Lamex stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Stevenage manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Stevenage?
Who scored Vale’s last goal against Stevenage?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Stevenage?
Who scored Vale’s last goal against Stevenage?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Alex Revell
Port Vale 1-2 Stevenage
4
Lorent Tolaj
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both sides.
0/4 – Paul Mahorn
1/4 – Darren Murphy
2/4 – Ryan Johnson
3/4 – Tom Pett
4/4 – Tom Conlon
There’s no time left.
#CarolOut
#HancockOut
It aint over,till its over,nuff sed.
Let’s go down with a fight. We will win 3 to 1 to give us travelling supporters something to shout about. Come on lads , don’t make me look insane! 🙂
Sadly Brady is clueless!