Things are looking grim for Port Vale’s hopes of League One survival. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Bolton Wanderers
- Date: Saturday 21st March, 3pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: not available in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Will Bradford turnaround haunt Vale?
It “hurt the most” said Port Vale manager Jon Brady after the 3-2 midweek loss to Blackpool. That was undoubtedly partially due to the manner of defeat with Vale twice taking the lead. How will the loss affect Vale morale?
So, who could feature?
A good question. Ben Garrity returned to the squad in midweek but it may be too early to risk handing him a start. Meanwhile, striker Ben Waine was suffering from fatigue – could he return? Kyle John is out for a couple of weeks and it’s unlikely that the likes of Ben Heneghan and Jayden Stockley will return.
Possible Vale line-up (3-4-3)
Gauci – Magloire, Campbell, C.Hall – Gabriel, Walters, Ojo, Gordon – G.Hall, Brown, Waine
Ben Garrity – shouldn’t be risked?
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Bolton Wanderers
- Manager: Steven Schumacher
- Stadium: Toughsheet Community stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
41 year-old former Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher took over after Ian Evatt was dismissed in January 2025. His record stands at 29 wins from 65 games in charge.
Recent form
Poor – Bolton have won just two of their last seven games – drawing the other five matches.
Last match
A 0-0 draw with Doncaster Rovers in midweek.
Manager Steven Schumacher
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Eddie Hopkinson, 578
- Record goalscorer: Nat Lofthouse, 285
- Record win: 8-0 vs Barnsley, 1934
Over the years
Brief History
Formed as Christ Church Football Club in 1874, Bolton Wanderers adopted their current name in 1877 and were a founder member of the Football League in 1888. The period before and after WW1 is regarded as the club’s finest as they challenged in the top division. Over the years Wanderers have won four FA Cups and two League Cups.
Stadium
Bolton moved to their current stadium, then known as the Reebok stadium back in 1997. Prior to that move, the club spent 102 years at Burnden Park.
Trivia
Burnden Park was the stadium depicted in the famous “Going to the match” painting by L. S. Lowry.
The Toughsheet 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
- Draws: 11
- Vale losses: 31
Previous games
Fixture history
The two clubs first met back in 1900 when it ended in a comprehensive 5-0 win for Wanderers. In fact it took Vale nine games before they secured a draw against Bolton and a mammoth twenty games before they recorded their first win. That game was won thanks to strikes from David Riley and an injury-time winner from Ray Walker (and there’s more on it in the Archive section above). However, otherwise it’s been grim for the Valiants with just four wins from 46 meetings.
Last time we met
It was the rarest of events earlier in the season when the Valiants won 1-0 in the Football League Trophy. It was only their fourth win in 46 fixtures and came courtesy of a winner from Ben Waine. Normal service was resumed in the League encounter with Vale losing 4-0.
Ben Waine celebrates the winner in the Trophy tie
Liam Gordon in Bolton colours
Played for both
Player connections
There are several current connections. Port Vale wingback Liam Gordon had a spell with Bolton in 2022 while keeper Ben Amos also had a spell with Wanderers in 2015. On the Bolton side, there’s back-up keeper Nathan Broome, who had a spell on loan with Vale. There’s also been plenty of players to appear for both sides in recent years. The list includes defender Jason Lowe, Dennis Politic, Harry Charsley and striker Tyler Walker.
Vintage connection
Lol Hamlett spent spells with both clubs as a player. He played for Wanderers between 1938 and 1949 in a spell disrupted by World War Two. He was as present at the Burnden Park disaster on 9 March 1946, where 33 spectators were sadly killed. He joined the Valiants in 1949 and made over a hundred appearances as a player. After retiring he then spent 25 years with Port Vale as a coach and trainer earning a well-deserved testimonial game in 1976.
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 traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Bolton Wanderers manager?
In what year did they move into the Toughsheet Community stadium?
How many times have Vale beaten Bolton in competitive games?
Which two current Vale players have had spells with Bolton?
In what year did they move into the Toughsheet Community stadium?
How many times have Vale beaten Bolton in competitive games?
Which two current Vale players have had spells with Bolton?
(answers right – no cheating)
Test your knowledge
Quiz answers
Steven Schumacher
1997
Four
Ben Amos and Liam Gordon
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both. How did you fare?
0/4 – Nathan Broome
1/4 – Jason Lowe
2/4 – Liam Gordon
3/4 – Dennis Politic
4/4 – Lol Hamlett
It may be a cutting comment, but I wonder how many Vale players will be suffering from fatigue the weekend of the Chelsea game?