Next up in our series previewing next season’s newest opponents in League One is Port Vale, who made a swift return to the third tier after one season in League Two.
2024/25 Campaign
Following a disappointing relegation two years ago, Port Vale bounced back to League One in style with automatic promotion, but not before a disappointing start to the season that saw them win just one of their opening four matches. Nonetheless, 11 matches unbeaten – nine of them wins – followed and by the end of September they had reached the top seven, a space they would occupy for the rest of the campaign. They sat atop the table throughout November but suffered a seven match winless run that saw them drop back into the play-off places, but once again form picked up. They maintain their place in the top seven with a 12 match unbeaten run and finally made it back into the top three with a 1-0 win away rivals Crewe at the end of March. They suffered just four defeats post Christmas, winning seven of their last 11 matches and securing promotion with a game to spare after a 2-0 win away at AFC Wimbledon. A 1-0 defeat on the final day at home to Gillingham, in front of a crowd of over 13,000, scuppered their chance of the title as they finished in second place.
The Manager
Darren Moore was appointed Valiants boss in February 2024 and despite being unable to keep the club in League One, the club stuck with him in the fourth tier, which is a move that has paid off. His five-and-a-half year deal with Vale took some by surprise, with owner Carol Shanahan saying it was a ‘testament to the long term vision of the club.’ Moore previously managed West Brom, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town.
The Stadium
Vale Park opened in 1950 with a capacity of around 42,000 but has been dramatically reduced over the years to now hold just shy of 16,000 people when full. With one of the widest pitches in the Football League it has been dubbed ‘Wembley of the North’ by managers and supporters alike, and consists of four all-seated stands, though the Lorne Street stand was only fully completed in April 2020 having not been fully opened upon construction. It has hosted concerts, including for ‘home boy’ Robbie Williams, and hosted England internationals for the women’s and under-18s.
Head to Head Record
Matches Played: 65
Exeter City wins: 22
Draws: 13
Port Vale wins: 30
First competitive match: October 29, 1938 | Exeter City 1-3 Port Vale | Division Three South
Last competitive match: April 13, 2024 | Port Vale 2-4 Exeter City | League One
Biggest Exeter City win: 4-0 (August 2022)
Biggest Port Vale win: 5-1 (January 1985)
Previous Fixture
April 13, 2024 | Port Vale 2-4 Exeter City | League One
A brace from Millenic Alli and goals from Zak Jules and Luke Harris complete the Grecians comeback as City came come two goals down at half-time to beat relegation threatened Port Vale.
Exeter City: Sinisalo (GK), Purrington (Jules 46’), Diabate, Aimson (C), Watts (Rankine 46’), Niskanen, Woods, Harris, Richards, Wildschut (Harper 74’), Alli.
Played for Both
Jayden Stockley is one current Valiant who has appeared in the red and white of City, while Rekeem Harper also featured last season before his release at the end of the campaign. Former goalkeeper and coach, Scott Brown, appeared over 120 times for Vale before joining the Grecians in June 2021, while another shot stopper, Dino Visser also played for both. Other names include Manny Oyeleke, Richard Duffy, Zak Jules and Colin Daniel.
Did You Know?
Port Vale have never played top-flight football, and hold the record for the most seasons in the English Football League (113) without reaching the first tier.