Win, lose or draw, Port Vale supporters will want an improved showing from the Vale players this weekend. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Huddersfield Town
- Date: Saturday 14th March, 2026, 3pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: not available in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
What to do after the Bradford loss?
It was a sorry sight in midweek. Some players (Ojo, Walters, Waine) looked tired after their cup exertions while no-one (with the exception of keeper Gauci) put in a decent performance. Jon Brady will be hoping players have recovered from the cup tie and that they approach this game better. Brady’s hands are tied in some respects as Vale’s injury issues limit his choices both at the back and in midfield.
Known injury list
Cameron Humphreys and Ben Heneghan are both doubtful. Ryan Croasdale, George Byers and Ben Garrity are all expected to be ruled out.
Possible Vale line-up (3-4-3)
Gauci – Magloire, John, C.Hall – Gabriel, Walters, Ojo, Gordon – G.Hall, Brown, Waine
Joe Gauci – only decent performer in midweek
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Huddersfield Town
- Manager: Liam Manning
- Stadium: Kirklees stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
40 year-old Liam Manning was appointed Huddersfield boss in January following the departure of Lee Grant. The former Norwich City, Bristol City, Oxford Utd and MK Dons manager has been in charge for ten games, winning five of them.
Recent form
Mixed. Town have won two of their last five League One matches.
Last match
Huddersfield defeated Rotherham 1-0 at home last weekend.
Manager Liam Manning
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Billy Smith, 574
- Record goalscorer: George Brown, 159
- Record win: 10-1 versus Blackpool, 1930
Over the years
Brief History
Huddersfield Town were founded in 1908 and were elected to the Football League two years later. They won the FA Cup in 1922 and under the management of Herbert Chapman they won three League championships in the 1920s. They spent two years in the Premier League from 2017 to 2019. They were relegated into League One in 2024.
Stadium
The team have played home games at the Kirklees Stadium (which is currently known as the Accu Stadium for sponsorship reasons) since moving from Leeds Road in 1994.
The Kirklees 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: 18
- Draws: 11
- Vale losses: 20
Previous games
Fixture history
The two clubs first met back in 1920 when it ended in a 4-1 loss for the Valiants. In fact, it took Vale until 1973 to record their first win. With the sides often in different divisions, four of the last five encounters have all been in cup competitions. Doug Loft, back in 2011, was the last Vale player to score against Town.
Last time we met
Darren Moore’s side slumped to a dreadful 5-0 Boxing Day defeat earlier this season. The previous meeting was a 4-0 cup loss so Vale have shipped nine goals in their last two meetings.
Darren Moore’s side suffered a heavy loss
Jaheim Headley is a former Town player
Played for both
Connections
There’s a couple of connections between the two sides. Vale defender Jaheim Headley joined the Valiants from Huddersfield while Town forward Marcus Harness had a spell on loan with Vale.
In recent years there have been a number of transfers between the two sides. Vale have loaned both Kian Harratt and Mustapha Olagunju from Town while striker Mipo Odubeko has had loan spells with both clubs.
Vintage connection
Towering defender John McCombe started his career with Huddersfield Town. After five years at the club he was released and joined Hereford United. In 2008 he was snapped up by the Valiants and he went on to be a popular defender making over 200 appearances and winning promotion in 2013.
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 preview quiz
Who is the current Huddersfield manager?
In what year did they move into the Kirklees stadium?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Who was the last Vale player to score against Huddersfield?
In what year did they move into the Kirklees stadium?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Who was the last Vale player to score against Huddersfield?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Laim Manning
1994
Huddersfield 5-0 Port Vale
Doug Loft
Quiz ratings
0/4 – Jermaine Holwyn
1/4 – Antony Kay
2/4 – Nathan Smith
3/4 – Neil Aspin
4/4 – Roy Sproson
Today’s theme is centre-halves
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