Now that relegation is confirmed will it be all-change for the Valiants? Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Plymouth Argyle
- Date: Saturday April 25th, 2026
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: not available in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
With relegation assured, will youngsters get a go?
Now that Vale are down, will Jon Brady take the opportunity to blood some of the young guns. It may be a stretch for them to start but the likes of Jack Shorrock, Charlie Bussell and perhaps Logan Cousins should make the squad and get some minutes.
Old acquaintances
It’s time for Vale to meet up again with former players Ronan Curtis and Lorent Tolaj. It will be interesting to see the reception that they get. Tolaj was gracious after departing, thanking the club but Curtis less so calling his time at Vale Park a waste of time, despite it giving him his first-ever promotion.
Known injury list
Ben Heneghan, Kyle John, Funso Ojo, George Byers and Jayden Stockley are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)
Gauci – Humphreys, C.Hall, Campbell – Gabriel, Walters, Garrity, Croasdale, Gordon – Waine, Sherif
Jack Shorrock – opportunity?
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Plymouth Argyle
- Manager: Tom Cleverley
- Stadium: Home Park
Need to know
Meet the manager
36 year-old Tom Cleverley was appointed manager in June. Cleverley previously had a spell at Championship Watford and his record at Home Park is twenty five wins from fifty three games in charge.
Recent form
Mixed. Argyle have three wins from their last six games. They sit in eighth place in the table.
Last match
A 1-1 draw against Bradford City.
Manager Tom Cleverley
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Kevin Hodges, 620
- Record goalscorer: Sammy Black, 184
- Record win: 8-1 (on two occasions)
Over the years
Brief History
Originally founded simply as Argyle in 1886, the club turned professional and changed their name to Plymouth Argyle in 1903. They entered the Football League in 1920. They frustratingly finished as Third Division South runners-up on six consecutive occasions before winning promotion under the long-serving management of Bob Jack in 1930. The club tended to alternate between the Third and Second divisions for some years. They secured a record fifth third tier league title in 2004, and would remain in the Championship for six seasons until administration and two successive relegations left them in League Two by 2011. In 2017 Argyle won promotion to League One, and again in 2020 following relegation the previous season.
Stadium
Home Park has a capacity of 17,300 Home Park has been Plymouth’s stadium since 1903. In 2001, three new stands were constructed and in 2019 the Mayflower grandstand was upgraded to complete the renovation.
Jack Lester statue at the Home Park 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: 22
- Draws: 10
- Vale losses: 28
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1930 when it finished in a 2-1 win for Plymouth. However, the Valiants got their revenge winning the return fixture by the same scoreline. There were some entertaining games in the 1930s with Vale netting four goals in a game twice and Plymouth once.
Last time we met
The two clubs met earlier this season with former Vale striker Lorent Tolaj scoring the winner in a 1-0 defeat.
Lorent Tolaj scored the winner
Ronan Curtis
Played for both
Player connections
There’s clearly two notable names in this category with former Port Vale players Lorent Tolaj and Ronan Curtis facing the Valiants. On the Vale side, Ben Waine, could face his former club as could Andre Gray but goalkeeper Marko Marosi, will not doing so as he’s on loan at Tranmere Rovers.
Recent connections
Other players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine who had spells with both sides, wingback Conor Grant who had contrasting spells with the two clubs and goalkeeper Kelle Roos who also had loan spells with both clubs.
Vintage connection
Striker Fred Mitcheson had an incredible debut when he joined the club in 1933. The forward netted a hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Plymouth. It was the highlight of a largely unfulfilled spell at Vale (8 goals in 50 games). However, Argyle clearly remembered that debut as two years later the striker was sold to Plymouth where he made 99 appearances and scored 25 times.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
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Join the debate:
The Home Park stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Plymouth Argyle manager?
In what year did they start playing at Home Park?
What was the score the last time we met?
Which three current Vale players have had spells with Plymouth?
In what year did they start playing at Home Park?
What was the score the last time we met?
Which three current Vale players have had spells with Plymouth?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Tom Cleverley
1903
Port Vale 0-1 Plymouth Argyle
Ben Waine and Marko Marosi
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is Vale signings from the West County. How did you fare?
0/4 – Kaid Mohamed (Cheltenham)
1/4 – Colin Miles (Yeovil)
2/4 – Micky Bell (Bristol City)
3/4 – Sean Rigg (Bristol Rovers)
4/4 – Leon Constantine (Torquay Utd)
So much for looking towards younger players on the up it’s alright saying the right thing it’s about time you implement them
Sad, just seen the team for tonight the manager dose not like young players even not on the subs bench why were they recalled from there loan just to sit on the ares all week never given a chance is this good for the new season is so the club should give up save money and do away with the youth polices and close them down this manager is no better than the last one hope he goes also the medical team should be looked at at as c/b our most expensive player just sits on his ares every day every week and not even the manager can tell us what his injury is ?
Dire , why do you play Brown or Sherif, the younger players would of played a lot better, sorry Brady you are possibly another Mr Moore, do things the Brady way or don’t bother.