TANTALISING MATCHES IN PROSPECT AS VALE LEARN THEIR SCHEDULE
PORT Vale’s schedule for the 2022/23 League One season has been revealed as the club prepares for their first campaign back at this level in five years following promotion. Our Vale reporter MIKE BAGGALEY takes a look at some key games from the fixture list.
THE OPENER
Port Vale will start very much where they finished as they return to League One having been handed an opening-day tie at home to Fleetwood on July 30. The Vale’s last fixture at this level, on April 2017, was against the same club as when a goalless draw in Lancashire meant they were relegated to the Football League’s basement division. Mind you, plenty has changed since then…not least Vale’s line up of which Nathan Smith is the only player still at the club. They kicked off against Fleetwood five years ago with a starting XI of Fasan, Streete, Purkiss, Smith, Tanser, Reeves, Pugh, Foley, Hooper, Turner and Eagles.
THE OWLS
Sheffield Wednesday are arguably the biggest club in the division so Vale’s two fixtures against them will be keenly anticipated. Darrell Clarke’s side welcome Wednesday to Vale Park on Saturday, October 1 then go to Hillsborough for the return game on Thursday, December 29 (7.45pm). A Christmas visit to the Owls will bring back memories of Vale’s efforts on Boxing Day 2003 when goals from Adrian Littlejohn, Billy Paynter and Steve Brooker gave Vale a 3-2 win in a brilliant game in front of 25,000. The Vale would go on to just miss out on the play-offs on goal difference that season.
DERBY DAY
The chance to play Derby County, who can rival Sheffield Wednesday as the biggest club in the division, is another huge attraction. Vale go to Pride Park on Saturday, October 8 then welcome them to Burslem for the return game on Saturday, January 7. A large away following makes this one a contender for the biggest crowd of the season. Vale’s official capacity is just over 15,000. Mind you, that date is also FA Cup third round day...
BOXING DAY
Always one of the first to be checked. The Vale have landed a home game against Morecambe, the club who have been linked with Vale’s midfielder Jake Taylor. Vale have been given home ties on Boxing Day in seven of the last eight seasons – albeit last year’s fixture against Salford was postponed because of Covid and the 2020/21 fixture against
Barrow was played behind closed doors because of the pandemic.
IPSWICH AND IFOLLOW
Fans who follow the club all over the country will have been looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Ipswich Town, although maybe not so much for a midweek fixture.
Vale welcome Ipswich to Vale Park on Tuesday October 25 then make the return trip to Suffolk on Tuesday April 18.
That could be a game for Ifollow – the EFL’S live streaming service which allows supporters to watch games that don’t kick off during the protected Saturday 3-5pm slot.
However you watch the game, it’s expected to be a tough one for Vale. Ipswich are currently the bookies’ League One title favourites.
AWAY DAYS
Super Vale away are bound to be in evidence throughout the season – with coaches booked from the club and through Paul Dixon’s Fun Bus travel which raises thousands for community causes. Expect big followings at Derby and Sheffield Wednesday but the return to League One also gives Vale the chance to make the short trips to both Burton and Shrewsbury.
Vale’s FA Cup tie at Burton last season was a cracker as they came from behind to win it. They return to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, August 20. The short
trip to Shrewsbury is on Saturday February 11.
THE END
Vale conclude their campaign, as they began it, at Vale Park. Plymouth Argyle are the visitors on Saturday, May 6, wrapping up a final three fixtures in which Vale will take on James Gibbons’ Bristol Rovers on Saturday, April 22 and then go to Charlton Athletic on Saturday, April 29. Where in the table will the Vale be finishing? The bookies currently have them joint 18th but Darrell Clarke and his players might have something to say about that.