2019–20 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale F.C.
2019–20 season
OwnerSynsol Holdings Limited
Chairperson/sCarol and Kevin Shanahan
(until 30 January)[1]
Carol Shanahan
(from 30 January)[1]
ManagerJohn Askey
StadiumVale Park
League Two8th (1.54 points per game)
FA CupThird round
(knocked out by Manchester City)
EFL CupFirst round
(knocked out by Burton Albion)
EFL TrophyThird round
(knocked out by Salford City)
Player of the YearDavid Worrall
Top goalscorerLeague: Richie Bennett, Tom Pope (6 each)
All: Tom Pope (10)
Highest home attendance5,931 vs. Northampton Town, 10 August 2019
Lowest home attendance571 vs. Newcastle United U21, 12 November 2019
Average home league attendance4,862
Biggest win3–0 vs. Colchester United, 15 February 2020
Biggest defeat0–3 (twice), 1–4, 2–5

The 2019–20 season was Port Vale's 108th season of football in the English Football League, and third consecutive season in EFL League Two. The season covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Manager John Askey reshaped the squad by letting 14 players go and bringing in 14 new signings. However, David Amoo was the only new player in the starting eleven for the season's opening game. They lost just one league game in six matches in August, though this was a heavy 5–2 defeat at Grimsby Town, and they also exited the EFL Cup in the first round. September saw them in indifferent form, as they picked up just one league win, though Vale did secure their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy. October saw more promise as they picked up their first away win, though they were held to disappointing draws at home to struggling teams. They went on to claim five wins in six games in November, including a 1–0 victory at local rivals Crewe Alexandra and wins against Milton Keynes Dons and Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. They drew four of their six games in December. However, they did win a penalty shoot-out to advance in the EFL Trophy before ending 2019 with a 2–0 win over league leaders Swindon Town.

Vale had a quiet January transfer window, with only one new arrival and no major departures. A highlight of the season came in the FA Cup third round, as a glamour tie at Premier League champions Manchester City ended in a 4–1 defeat. However, a 3–0 defeat to Salford City in the EFL Trophy was a less auspicious end to the club's cup interests. They went unbeaten throughout February, picking up wins over promotion rivals Northampton Town and Colchester United, to end the month in the play-off places. On 13 March, all EFL fixtures were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. On 15 May, League Two clubs voted to end the season after 37 games, causing Vale to finish one place outside the play-offs.

Club captain Leon Legge.
Tom Pope finished as top-scorer with 10 goals.
Cristian Montaño made 36 appearances.
Goalkeeper Scott Brown played all but one of the club's games.
Luke Joyce was a joint-winner of the club's Players' Player of the Year award.
David Amoo had an inconsistent season, earning both plaudits and criticism.
Will Atkinson returned to Vale Park after an 11-year and 11 months absence.

Overview

[edit]

EFL League Two

[edit]

Manager John Askey called for patience as he and new owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan tried to rebuild the club following Norman Smurthwaite's ownership.[2] Though the budget was reduced he aimed to have a smaller and more competitive squad.[3] His first summer signing was midfielder Scott Burgess, released from Bury despite an impressive loan spell at York City; the 21-year-old had previously played on loan at Macclesfield Town in Askey's National League title-winning season.[4] He next signed Adam Crookes, a 21-year-old defender who had been released by Nottingham Forest despite impressing whilst on loan at Vale in the second half of the 2018–19 season.[5] He then signed 25-year-old Kieran Kennedy, "a footballing centre-half" who turned down a new deal at Wrexham in order to return to the English Football League.[6] Big target man striker Richie Bennett then joined, having been let go by Carlisle United.[7] The signings of 27-year-old former Blackpool striker Mark Cullen and 25-year-old former youth team midfielder Ryan Lloyd were confirmed on 26 June.[8] On 8 July, winger David Amoo arrived on a one-year deal after rejecting a new contract with Cambridge United; this was the first signing to meet Askey's priorities of bringing in a winger, a right-back and a backup goalkeeper.[9][10] Askey also evaluated five trialists in pre-season friendlies: 19-year-old Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder Alex Hurst, former Darlington goalkeeper Jonny Maddison, former Millwall and Reading right-back Shaun Cummings, former Yeovil Town winger Rhys Browne and former Coventry City striker Kwame Thomas.[11] Cummings left without a contract as Askey instead again signed another of his former Macclesfield Town players, 23-year-old Callum Evans, who – like Lloyd – had been released by Macclesfield boss Sol Campbell.[12] Bookmakers predicted a mid-table finish for the club.[13] The club kit was reverted to Erreà manufacturers and the shirt sponsors were revealed as Synectics Solutions, the company owned by chairpersons Carol and Kevin Shanahan.[14] The black and gold away kit was launched in tribute to the protestors who helped to oust Smurthwaite.[15] As pre-season drew to a close the club took a week long trip to Scotland.[16] Trialist winger Rhys Browne, yet another former Macclesfield player, became the ninth summer signing on the day of the club's final pre-season friendly.[17] Signing number ten was the new back-up goalkeeper, 24-year-old Jonny Maddison, who had impressed on trial.[18] A third of the five trialists was also signed. However, Alex Hurst was immediately loaned back to Bradford (Park Avenue) to gain match experience.[19]

Vale opened the season with a creditable 1–1 draw at Colchester United, having had a fifth-minute Tom Pope penalty cancelled out by a Luke Norris goal just before half-time.[20] Connell Rawlinson left Vale for National League side Notts County on a free transfer on 5 August, having been transfer-listed by Askey in pre-season.[21] The first game at Vale Park of the Shanahan era came against Northampton Town, and Amoo opened his account for the club with a header before "Cobblers" midfielder Ryan Watson levelled the score at 1–1 just before half-time; Askey said the players performed well but needed to show more belief.[22] On 17 August, Vale travelled to Moor Lane for their first ever game against Salford City and came close to recording their first win of the season after Bennett put them ahead with nine minutes to go, only for Jake Beesley to level the game at 1–1 in the third minute of stoppage-time.[23] Four days later Vale recorded their first ever victory over Forest Green Rovers; James Gibbons went from hero to villain within the opening six minutes as he crossed for Bennett to score only to give away the ball soon after the restart to gift Joseph Mills the equalising goal, and then Cristian Montaño crossed the ball to Amoo for the game's winning goal on 34 minutes.[24] However, they ended the week with a their first league loss of the season, a heavy 5–2 defeat at Grimsby Town that Askey described as a "reality check".[25] Askey boosted his squad with a triple signing, bringing in 29-year-old former Notts County defender Shaun Brisley, 25-year-old former Bury striker Jordan McFarlane-Archer, and 20-year-old midfielder Jake Taylor on loan from Nottingham Forest.[26][27] Vale ended the month with a dour 1–0 victory over Cambridge United, Amoo's 84th-minute cross having been bungled over the goalline by a United defender.[28]

On 3 September, it was confirmed that the club had come up with an agreement to cancel Ben Whitfield's contract, who was not in Askey's first-team plans.[29] Five days later Vale fell to a narrow 1–0 defeat at second-placed Newport County; Jamille Matt heading home on 77 minutes after Corey Whitely found room to cross on the Vale's left on 77 minutes.[30] On 14 September, Vale suffered three first-half injuries at home to pre-season promotion favourites Plymouth Argyle, but rallied to a 1–0 victory after Nathan Smith scored the game's only goal on 76 minutes.[31] Another tough fixture saw them travel to league leaders Exeter City just three days later. They managed to hold their hosts up until the 81st-minute, when Ryan Bowman netted the opening goal of a 2–0 loss.[32] Askey experimented with two strikers at home to a strong Mansfield Town club, though his team were fortunate to grab a 2–2 draw after Smith scored a stoppage-time equaliser; Askey went on to bemoan the officials and the Mansfield striker Danny Rose for winning a penalty with a dive.[33][34] The next trip was to National League champions Leyton Orient and had to settle for a points after sharing six goals, coming from behind to dominate the first half but then lose the lead twice in the second half.[35]

Vale launched a controversial new commercial campaign in October, offering youngsters the chance to swap Stoke City shirts and tickets for Vale ones, which was a response to Stoke's popular 'City 7s' scheme which handed seven year-olds a shirt and match tickets for a game at the Bet365 Stadium.[36] Back on the pitch, Askey signed versatile midfielder Will Atkinson on a short-term deal following injuries to Tom Conlon and Manny Oyeleke.[37] He replaced a suspended Gibbons at right-back at home to Morecambe (a club record 11 years and 11 months after his last game for the club[38]) and though Vale trailed 1–0 at half-time, the visitors were down to ten men and a superb Luke Joyce strike after the break started a comeback and Vale ended up 3–1 winners after a brace from Pope.[39] However, they then fell to a disappointing 2–1 defeat at Macclesfield Town after losing an early lead; Askey had experimented with a midfield diamond against his former club, going 4–3–3 to 4–4–2.[40] A drab 1–1 home draw with 23rd-placed Stevenage followed despite Vale taking an early lead with an excellent team goal.[41] Three days later they won 2–1 at second-placed Bradford City, with substitute Atkinson scoring his first goal for the club to win the game three minutes into injury-time.[42] They again failed to build on a positive result and performance though as they then grounded out a 0–0 home draw with a poor Oldham Athletic side.[43]

Vale travelled up the A500 to face local rivals Crewe Alexandra on 2 November, who were top of the table and managed to edge a tight game 1–0 with a strike from Taylor on 61 minutes.[44] A fortnight later and they were one goal down at home to managerless Carlisle United within the opening minute, but then came from behind to win the game 2–1 with a late strike from substitute Cullen.[45] However, they then lost a one-goal lead at Scunthorpe United to lose 2–1, with in-form David Worrall also picking up Vale's first red card of the season for scuffling with Matty Lund after the final whistle.[46]

Vale's unbeaten home league record came to an end on 7 December, as struggling Walsall engineered a 1–0 victory with the only goal of the game coming within the first minute of the second half; Conlon was also sent off.[47] The following week they held Crawley Town to a 0–0 draw at Broadfield Stadium.[48] Third-place Cheltenham Town then visited Burslem and shared two goals in an exciting 1–1 draw.[49] Vale seemed to be heading for a 2–0 Boxing Day victory away at Mansfield Town after goals from centre-backs Smith and Legge, but mistakes from full-backs Montaño and Gibbons allowed Mansfield to finish level at 2–2.[50] League leaders Swindon Town were the visitors for the final game of the calendar year and Vale managed an impressive 2–0 victory, ending a run of six games without a win.[51]

Vale's habit of losing points from winning positions was demonstrated again on New Year's Day as they blew a half-time lead to draw 2–2 with Macclesfield Town.[52] Having been eliminated from two cup competitions in a week, they went to second-bottom Stevenage on 11 January and seemed to heading for a goalless draw until Conlon was fouled in the penalty box, leaving Pope to score the game's only goal from the penalty spot on 88 minutes.[53] However, three days later they lost 2–1 at Morecambe after going two goals down within the opening 12 minutes, who had been bottom of the table before Stevanage's defeat to Vale; Gibbons scored the consolation goal, his first goal in senior football.[54] They returned to Vale Park to play out-of-form Leyton Orient and won 1–0 thanks for a strike from Amoo, closing the gap to the play-offs to three points.[55] However, they then fell to a 3–0 defeat at league leaders Swindon Town after losing Smith to injury on 29 minutes.[56] Vale then beat second-placed Exeter City 3–1 at home after turning round a half-time deficit thanks to a brace from Bennett.[57] The January transfer window was a quiet one for the "Valiants", though Askey did re-sign defender Mitch Clark on loan from Leicester City.[58] The board of directors was also reshuffled, with Carol Shanahan named as sole chair whilst husband Kevin took an ambassadorial role.[1]

Clark's cross was deflected into the net to give Vale a 1–0 home lead over Salford City, though they went on to draw the game 1–1 after the 2015 summer transfer window target Tom Elliott netted a 75th-minute equaliser.[59] The following week saw a drab game at Northampton Town. Still, a Worrall goal won all three points for the Vale and lifted them out of tenth position for the first time in over two months.[60] They made it back-to-back wins with an eventful 3–2 victory at Forest Green Rovers; Vale led by three goals with 12 minutes to go, but a straight red for Clark was followed by two goals for Rovers and a second yellow card for Pope.[61] In the face of multiple suspensions and the difficult conditions posed by Storm Dennis, Vale cruised to a 3–0 home victory over Colchester United to take their place in the play-offs, with Conlon scoring his first of the season and Cullen bagging a brace.[62] The following week Vale brought a large away following to Walsall but had to settle for a point after twice losing the lead in a 2–2 draw.[63] They picked up an identical result at home to Scunthorpe United the following week, surrendering a 2–1 lead to a 90th-minute George Miller equaliser.[64]

Vale faced a difficult trip to play-off rivals Cheltenham on 7 March, but managed to end their hosts five match winning run with a goalless draw and had two penalty shouts turned down, including one that referee Scott Duncan initially gave only to change his mind after consulting his linesman.[65] Bennett left the club the following week, after being sold to National League side Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.[66] On 13 March, all EFL fixtures were suspended until at least 3 April due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[67] Six days later, the suspension was extended until 30 April, before eventually that date too was scrubbed to an unspecified time when "it is safe to resume".[68][69] To help the local area during the crisis, Carol Shanahan turned the club into a community hub, delivering food and care packages to the north of the city and working closely with the city council, schools and charities.[70] The next month it was confirmed that the club would place the entire club staff on furlough, including players and coaches from the first-team and youth team.[71]

On 15 May, League Two clubs voted to end the season after 37 games, causing Vale to finish one place outside the play-offs; CEO Colin Garlick said that the club had voted for the proposal despite meaning they narrowly missed out on the play-offs as it would help to secure the financial future of all the clubs in the division.[72] A BBC Sport study with Professor James Reade and Dr Carl Singleton from the Economics Department at the University of Reading predicted that Vale would have finished seventh if the season had played out.[73] Askey confirmed that eight players would be offered new contracts – Luke Joyce, David Amoo, Rhys Browne, Shaun Brisley, Cristian Montaño, Tom Conlon, Mark Cullen and Nathan Smith – whilst six players would be released: Will Atkinson, Kieran Kennedy, Callum Evans, Ryan Lloyd, Jonny Maddison and Jordan McFarlane-Archer.[74]

"Manager John Askey sets up Port Vale very well in all areas of play. In attack, they look to make use of the entire pitch. They form triangles out wide and open up the midfield so that progressive passes can reach the lone striker. Their frontline also possesses players who can drift away from opposing defenders and others who can act as a target man and direct outlet for the team. Defensively, all of the Vale team contribute to the press and shape. The three most noteworthy players here however, are goalkeeper Scott Brown and the two centre-backs ahead of him. This defensive trio contain names that rank amongst the league’s best, and are capable of dealing with direct or possession-based opponents.... Port Vale from front to back have a solid structure and great individual quality. They’ve caught the eye in 2019–20 with a play-off push. Perhaps in 2020–21, John Askey’s boys in black and white can do even better."

— An analysis of the club's tactics by analyst Edward Walker.[75]

Cup competitions

[edit]

Vale faced a difficult tie at Milton Keynes Dons (League One) in the FA Cup first round but secured their place into the next round with Worrall scoring the game's only goal inside 20 minutes.[76] They were then drawn away to League Two rivals Cheltenham Town and progressed into the third round thanks to a second half Tom Pope hat-trick after having trailed 1–0 at half-time.[77] The club were rewarded in the third round draw with a trip to the Premier League champions, Manchester City.[78] Pep Guardiola praised Vale's away support after the club sold out their 8,000 ticket allocation.[79] City took the lead through Oleksandr Zinchenko on 20 minutes, before Pope levelled the scoreline with a 35th-minute header; City though went on to secure a 4–1 victory thanks to goals from Sergio Agüero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden.[80]

Vale were drawn at home to Burton Albion (League One) in the first round of the EFL Cup, and though Cullen scored his first goal for the club with a 53rd-minute penalty, Burton went on to win the game 2–1.[81]

Vale were drawn against Shrewsbury Town (League One), Macclesfield Town (League Two) and the Newcastle United Academy in the group stages of the EFL Trophy; Askey had previously managed both Shrewsbury and Macclesfield.[82] Vale showed their strength in depth by coming from behind to beat Shrewsbury 2–1; Kennedy, Evans and McFarlane-Archer made their debuts, and it was McFarlane-Archer who claimed the winning goal on 75 minutes.[83] They then effectively booked their place into the next round with a 3–2 victory at Macclesfield, Burgess (on his debut) and Taylor scored their first goals for the club, whilst Hurst also made his professional debut in the game; despite 283 travelling supporters making the short trip, the attendance of 757 was the fourth lowest for a competitive Port Vale fixture in recorded history.[84] Askey made eleven changes for the visit of Newcastle United's youngsters as Vale had already qualified for the next round; Cullen scored both goals of a 2–1 victory.[85] They were then drawn at home to League Two rivals Mansfield Town and advanced after winning 4–2 on penalties; as with the league game between the two sides earlier in the season Vale came from behind in the match to draw 2–2, though this time it was the Vale who lost a 2–1 lead in stoppage-time.[86] In the third round they faced a trip to League Two Salford City, where they had drawn 1–1 in the league back in August; however, a poor performance saw them eliminated 3–0.[87]

Results

[edit]
Win Draw Loss

Pre-season

[edit]
6 July 2019 (2019-07-06) Friendly Kidsgrove Athletic 1–2 Port Vale Kidsgrove
15:00 BST Williamson 83' Report Cullen 20'
Bennett 65'		 Stadium: Hollinwood Road
Attendance: 1,689
13 July 2019 (2019-07-13) Friendly Leek Town 1–2 Port Vale Leek
15:00 BST Bott 86' Report Pope 19'
Amoo 77'		 Stadium: Harrison Park
Attendance: 1,100
17 July 2019 (2019-07-17) Friendly Port Vale 1–0 Fleetwood Town Burslem
19:30 BST Amoo 58' Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 780
Referee: Mike Dean
20 July 2019 (2019-07-20) Friendly Port Vale 1–3 Burnley Burslem
15:00 BST Pope 10' Report Brady 53', 84'
Vydra 81'		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 1,272
Referee: Oli Yates
27 July 2019 (2019-07-27) Friendly Port Vale 1–2 Bury Burslem
15:00 BST Cullen 63' Report Bunn 23'
Archer 38'		 Stadium: Vale Park

EFL League Two

[edit]
Main article: 2019–20 EFL League Two

League table

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Promotion, qualification or relegation
4 Cheltenham Town 36 17 13 6 52 27 +25 64 1.78 Qualification for League Two play-offs[a]
5 Exeter City 37 18 11 8 53 43 +10 65 1.76
6 Colchester United 37 15 13 9 52 37 +15 58 1.57
7 Northampton Town (O, P) 37 17 7 13 54 40 +14 58 1.57
8 Port Vale 37 14 15 8 50 44 +6 57 1.54
9 Bradford City 37 14 12 11 44 40 +4 54 1.46
10 Forest Green Rovers 36 13 10 13 43 40 +3 49 1.36
11 Salford City 37 13 11 13 49 46 +3 50 1.35
12 Walsall 36 13 8 15 40 49 −9 47 1.31
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points per game; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[88]
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to EFL League One.

Results summary

[edit]
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
37 14 15 8 50 44  +6 57 9 8 1 28 15  +13 5 7 7 22 29  −7

Last updated: 7 March 2020.
Source: BBC

Results by matchday

[edit]
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
ResultDDDWLWLWLDDWLDWDWWLLDDDWDWLWLWDWWWDDDPPPPPPPPP
Position131617111610141015131510131610111089101010101010101010101010986878888888888
Source: Statto[89]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]
3 August 2019 (2019-08-03) 1 Colchester United 1–1 Port Vale Colchester
15:00 BST Norris 45' Report Pope 5' (pen.) Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,729
Referee: Darren Drysdale
10 August 2019 (2019-08-10) 2 Port Vale 1–1 Northampton Town Burslem
15:00 BST Amoo 26' Report Watson 42+5' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,931
Referee: David Rock
17 August 2019 (2019-08-17) 3 Salford City 1–1 Port Vale Salford
15:00 BST Beesley 90+3' Report Bennett 81' Stadium: Moor Lane
Attendance: 3,770
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
20 August 2019 (2019-08-20) 4 Port Vale 2–1 Forest Green Rovers Burslem
19:45 BST Bennett 4'
Amoo 34'		 Report Mills 6' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,010
Referee: Ross Joyce
24 August 2019 (2019-08-24) 5 Grimsby Town 5–2 Port Vale Cleethorpes
15:00 BST Cook 20'
Ogbu 51'
Green 57'
Waterfall 80'
Hanson 86'		 Report Whitehouse 13' (og.)
Smith 62'		 Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 4,290
Referee: Will Finnie
31 August 2019 (2019-08-31) 6 Port Vale 1–0 Cambridge United Burslem
15:00 BST Bennett 84'[90] Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,874
Referee: James Oldham
7 September 2019 (2019-09-07) 7 Newport County 1–0 Port Vale Newport, Wales
15:00 BST Matt 77' Report Stadium: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,913
Referee: Christopher Pollard
14 September 2019 (2019-09-14) 8 Port Vale 1–0 Plymouth Argyle Burslem
15:00 BST Smith 76' Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,275
Referee: Marc Edwards
17 September 2019 (2019-09-17) 9 Exeter City 2–0 Port Vale Exeter
19:45 BST Bowman 81'
Kennedy 89' (og.)		 Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,765
Referee: Alan Young
21 September 2019 (2019-09-21) 10 Port Vale 2–2 Mansfield Town Burslem
19:45 BST Cullen 45+4'
Smith 90+4'		 Report Gordon 14'
Rose 75' (pen.)		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,109
Referee: Josh Smith
28 September 2019 (2019-09-28) 11 Leyton Orient 3–3 Port Vale Leyton, London
15:00 BST Wright 4' (90+3)
Wilkinson 59'		 Report Burgess 23'
Legge 28'
Taylor 85'		 Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 5,490
Referee: Scott Oldham
5 October 2019 (2019-10-05) 12 Port Vale 3–1 Morecambe Burslem
15:00 BST Joyce 49'
Pope 68', 90'		 Report O'Sullivan 18' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,485
Referee: Charles Breakspear
12 October 2019 (2019-10-12) 13 Macclesfield Town 2–1 Port Vale Macclesfield
15:00 BST Gnahoua 39'
Osadebe 64'		 Report Bennett 12' Stadium: Moss Rose
Attendance: 3,647
Referee: Darren Handley
19 October 2019 (2019-10-19) 14 Port Vale 1–1 Stevenage Burslem
15:00 BST Taylor 8' Report Guthrie 23' (pen.) Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,429
Referee: Peter Wright
22 October 2019 (2019-10-22) 15 Bradford City 1–2 Port Vale Bradford
19:45 BST Vaughan 45+1' (pen.) Report Worrall 18'
Atkinson 90+3'		 Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 14,345
Referee: Graham Salisbury
26 October 2019 (2019-10-26) 16 Port Vale 0–0 Oldham Athletic Burslem
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,301
Referee: Robert Lewis
2 November 2019 (2019-11-02) 17 Crewe Alexandra 0–1 Port Vale Crewe
15:00 GMT Report Taylor 61' Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 7,705
Referee: Ross Joyce
16 November 2019 (2019-11-16) 18 Port Vale 2–1 Carlisle United Burslem
15:00 GMT Worrall 60'
Cullen 83'		 Report Loft 1' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,783
Referee: Martin Coy
23 November 2019 (2019-11-23) 19 Scunthorpe United 2–1 Port Vale Scunthorpe
15:00 GMT van Veen 37'
Ntlhe 51'		 Report Taylor 30' Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 3,391
Referee: James Oldham
7 December 2019 (2019-12-07) 20 Port Vale 0–1 Walsall Burslem
15:00 GMT Report Adebayo 46' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,079
Referee: Andy Haines
14 December 2019 (2019-12-14) 21 Crawley Town 0–0 Port Vale Crawley
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 1,944
Referee: Will Finnie
21 December 2019 (2019-12-21) 22 Port Vale 1–1 Cheltenham Town Burslem
15:00 GMT Tozer 39' (og.) Report Addai 24' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,404
Referee: Leigh Doughty
26 December 2019 (2019-12-26) 23 Mansfield Town 2–2 Port Vale Mansfield
15:00 GMT Maynard 81'
Hamilton 90+3'		 Report Smith 53'
Legge 66'		 Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 5,565
Referee: Martin Coy
29 December 2019 (2019-12-29) 24 Port Vale 2–0 Swindon Town Burslem
15:00 GMT Burgess 13'
Taylor 52'		 Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,495
Referee: Scott Oldham
1 January 2020 (2020-01-01) 25 Port Vale 2–2 Macclesfield Town Burslem
15:00 GMT Worrall 18'
Amoo 62'		 Report Harris 56'
Ironside 57'		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,350
Referee: Ben Toner
11 January 2020 (2020-01-11) 26 Stevenage 0–1 Port Vale Stevenage
15:00 GMT Report Pope 88' (pen.) Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 2,646
Referee: Lee Swabey
14 January 2020 (2020-01-14) 27 Morecambe 2–1 Port Vale Morecambe
15:00 GMT Old 6'
Stockton 12'		 Report Gibbons 71' Stadium: Globe Arena
Attendance: 1,639
Referee: Marc Edwards
18 January 2020 (2020-01-18) 28 Port Vale 1–0 Leyton Orient Burslem
15:00 GMT Amoo 71' Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,047
Referee: Michael Salisbury
25 January 2020 (2020-01-25) 29 Swindon Town 3–0 Port Vale Swindon
15:00 GMT Legge 41' (o.g.)
Hope 45'
Doughty 60'		 Report Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 7,343
Referee: Craig Hicks
28 January 2020 (2020-01-28) 30 Port Vale 3–1 Exeter City Burslem
19:45 GMT Bennett 50' (pen.), 70'
Legge 64'		 Report Ajose 22' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 3,347
Referee: Paul Marsden
1 February 2020 (2020-02-01) 31 Port Vale 1–1 Salford City Burslem
15:00 GMT Burgess 55' (og.) Report Elliott 75' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,281
Referee: Neil Hair
8 February 2020 (2020-02-08) 32 Northampton Town 0–1 Port Vale Northampton
15:00 GMT Report Worrall 72' Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 5,583
Referee: Charles Breakspear
11 February 2020 (2020-02-11) 33 Forest Green Rovers 2–3 Port Vale Nailsworth
19:45 GMT Winchester 78' (pen.), 90+5' Report Brisley 14'
Pope 38', 70' (pen.)		 Stadium: The New Lawn
Attendance: 1,682
Referee: Trevor Kettle
15 February 2020 (2020-02-15) 34 Port Vale 3–0 Colchester United Burslem
15:00 GMT Conlon 14'
Cullen 54', 72'		 Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,199
Referee: Leigh Doughty
22 February 2020 (2020-02-22) 35 Walsall 2–2 Port Vale Walsall
15:00 GMT Adebayo 15'
Gordon 58'		 Report Legge 12'
Burgess 36'		 Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 6,301
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
29 February 2020 (2020-02-29) 36 Port Vale 2–2 Scunthorpe United Burslem
15:00 GMT Cullen 16'
Smith 78'		 Report Gilliead 71'
Miller 90'		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,121
Referee: Antony Coggins
7 March 2020 (2020-03-07) 37 Cheltenham Town 0–0 Port Vale Cheltenham
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 3,741
Referee: Scott Duncan
14 March 2020 (2020-03-14) 38 Port Vale v Crawley Town Burslem
15:00 GMT Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
17 March 2020 (2020-03-17) 39 Port Vale v Bradford City Burslem
19:45 GMT Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
21 March 2020 (2020-03-21) 40 Oldham Athletic v Port Vale Oldham
15:00 GMT Stadium: Boundary Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
28 March 2020 (2020-03-28) 41 Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra Burslem
15:00 GMT Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
4 April 2020 (2020-04-04) 42 Carlisle United v Port Vale Carlisle
15:00 BST Stadium: Brunton Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
10 April 2020 (2020-04-10) 43 Port Vale v Grimsby Town Burslem
15:00 BST Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
13 April 2020 (2020-04-13) 44 Cambridge United v Port Vale Cambridge
15:00 BST Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
18 April 2020 (2020-04-18) 45 Port Vale v Newport County Burslem
15:00 BST Stadium: Vale Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]
25 April 2020 (2020-04-25) 46 Plymouth Argyle v Port Vale Plymouth
15:00 BST Stadium: Home Park
Note: Season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[68]

FA Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2019–20 FA Cup
9 November 2019 (2019-11-09) First round Milton Keynes Dons 0–1 Port Vale Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Report Worrall 20' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 3,598
Referee: Craig Hicks
 30 November 2019 (2019-11-30) Second round Cheltenham Town 1–3 Port Vale Cheltenham
15:00 GMT Reid 3' (pen.) Report Pope 60', 63', 68' Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 2,725
Referee: Ross Joyce
4 January 2020 (2020-01-04) Third round Manchester City 4–1 Port Vale Manchester
17:31 GMT Zinchenko 20'
Agüero 42'
Harwood-Bellis 58'
Foden 76'		 Report Pope 35' Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium
Attendance: 52,433
Referee: Lee Mason

EFL Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2019–20 EFL Cup
13 August 2019 (2019-08-13) First round Port Vale 1–2 Burton Albion Burslem
19:45 BST Cullen 53' (pen.) Report Boyce 9'
Fraser 62'		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 2,252
Referee: Paul Marsden

EFL Trophy

[edit]
Main article: 2019–20 EFL Trophy

Pos Div Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L2 Port Vale 3 3 0 0 0 7 4 +3 9 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Shrewsbury Town 3 2 0 0 1 7 3 +4 6
3 L2 Macclesfield Town 3 1 0 0 2 5 7 −2 3
4 ACA Newcastle United U21 3 0 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: EFL.com
3 September 2019 (2019-09-03) Group stage Port Vale 2–1 Shrewsbury Town Burslem
19:45 BST Amoo 63' (pen.)
Archer 75'		 Report Kennedy 27' (o.g.) Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 1,008
Referee: Leigh Doughty
24 September 2019 (2019-09-24) Group stage Macclesfield Town 2–3 Port Vale Macclesfield
19:45 BST Ironside 16'
Archibald 90+2'		 Report Burgess 34'
Bennett 52'
Taylor 74'		 Stadium: Moss Rose
Attendance: 757
Referee: Carl Boyeson
12 November 2019 (2019-11-12) Group stage Port Vale 2–1 Newcastle United U21 Burslem
19:45 BST Cullen 40', 85' Report Anderson 50' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 571
Referee: Paul Marsden
3 December 2019 (2019-12-03) Second round Port Vale 2–2
(4–2 p)		 Mansfield Town Burslem
19:45 GMT Browne 64'
Taylor 82'		 Report Hamilton 50'
Sterling-James 90+2'		 Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 1,164
Referee: Marc Edwards
Penalties
Joyce soccer ball with check mark
Taylor soccer ball with check mark
Burgess soccer ball with check mark
Atkinson soccer ball with check mark		 Hamilton soccer ball with red X
Mellis soccer ball with check mark
Benning soccer ball with red X
Knowles soccer ball with check mark
7 January 2020 (2020-01-07) Third round Salford City 3–0 Port Vale Salford
19:45 GMT Burgess 35'
Armstrong 79'
Jervis 84'		 Report Stadium: Moor Lane
Attendance: 630
Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Squad statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals

[edit]
Pos. # Name EFL League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK 1 England Scott Brown 37 0 3 0 1 0 4 0 45 0
DF 2 England James Gibbons 32 1 3 0 1 0 3 0 39 1
DF 3 England Adam Crookes 14 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 17 0
MF 4 England Luke Joyce 36 1 3 0 1 0 3 0 43 1
DF 5 England Leon Legge 37 4 3 0 1 0 1 0 42 4
DF 6 England Kieran Kennedy 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 0
MF 7 England David Worrall 34 4 2 1 1 0 2 0 39 5
MF 8 England Manny Oyeleke 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
FW 9 England Tom Pope 32 6 3 4 1 0 1 0 37 10
MF 10 England Tom Conlon 22 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 27 1
MF 11 Colombia Cristian Montaño 30 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 36 0
MF 12 England Will Atkinson 11 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 15 1
FW 13 England Mark Cullen 18 5 1 0 1 1 3 2 25 8
MF 14 England Danny Pugh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF 15 England Nathan Smith 34 5 3 0 1 0 3 0 41 5
MF 16 England Jake Taylor 18 5 3 0 0 0 4 2 25 7
MF 17 Antigua and Barbuda Rhys Browne 11 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 15 1
DF 18 England Callum Evans 5 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 9 0
MF 19 England David Amoo 32 4 3 0 1 0 1 1 37 5
MF 20 England Scott Burgess 24 3 2 0 0 0 3 1 29 4
MF 22 England Ryan Lloyd 6 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 12 0
DF 23 England Ryan Campbell-Gordon 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
DF 24 Wales Mitch Clark 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
MF 25 England Daniel Trickett-Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
MF 27 England Alex Hurst 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
DF 28 England Shaun Brisley 9 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 14 1
FW 29 England Jordan McFarlane-Archer 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 8 1
GK 30 England Jonny Maddison 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF 12 Wales Connell Rawlinson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF 14 England Ben Whitfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW 21 England Richie Bennett 26 6 1 0 1 0 2 1 30 7
MF 24 England Joe Berks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF 26 England Lucas Green-Birch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Top scorers

[edit]
Place Position Nation Number Name EFL League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
1 FW  England 9 Tom Pope 6 4 0 0 10
2 FW  England 13 Mark Cullen 5 0 1 2 8
3 FW  England 21 Richie Bennett 6 0 0 1 7
– MF  England 16 Jake Taylor 5 0 0 2 7
5 MF  England 19 David Amoo 4 0 0 1 5
– MF  England 7 David Worrall 4 1 0 0 5
8 MF  England 20 Scott Burgess 3 0 0 1 4
– DF  England 5 Leon Legge 4 0 0 0 4
10 FW  England 29 Jordan McFarlane-Archer 0 0 0 1 1
– MF  England 12 Will Atkinson 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  England 28 Shaun Brisley 1 0 0 0 1
– MF  Antigua and Barbuda 17 Rhys Browne 0 0 0 1 1
– MF  England 10 Tom Conlon 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  England 2 James Gibbons 1 0 0 0 1
– MF  England 4 Luke Joyce 1 0 0 0 1
– – – – Own goals 3 0 0 0 3
TOTALS 50 5 1 9 66

Disciplinary record

[edit]
Number Nation Position Name EFL League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
7  England MF David Worrall 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
9  England FW Tom Pope 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
24  Wales DF Mitch Clark 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
10  England MF Tom Conlon 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2  England DF James Gibbons 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 0
4  England MF Luke Joyce 9 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
5  England DF Leon Legge 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
11  Colombia MF Cristian Montaño 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
28  England DF Shaun Brisley 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
3  England DF Adam Crookes 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
16  England MF Jake Taylor 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
19  England MF David Amoo 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
21  England FW Richie Bennett 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
12  England MF Will Atkinson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1  England GK Scott Brown 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
20  England MF Scott Burgess 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
6  England DF Kieran Kennedy 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
15  England DF Nathan Smith 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 64 4 1 0 3 0 1 0 69 4

Sourced from Soccerway.[91]

Awards

[edit]
End of Season Awards Winner[92]
Player of the Year David Worrall
Players' Player of the Year Luke Joyce & David Worrall
Goal of the Season Tom Pope (vs Manchester City, 4 January 2020)
Young Player of the Year Scott Burgess
Youth Player of the Year Luke Chambers
Supporter's Club Award David Worrall
Official Away Travel Player of the Year David Worrall

Transfers

[edit]

Transfers in

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1 July 2019 CF England Richie Bennett Carlisle United Free transfer [7]
1 July 2019 CM England Scott Burgess Bury Free transfer [4]
1 July 2019 CB England Adam Crookes Nottingham Forest Free transfer [5]
1 July 2019 CF England Mark Cullen Blackpool Free transfer [8]
1 July 2019 CB England Kieran Kennedy Wrexham Free transfer [6]
1 July 2019 AM England Ryan Lloyd Macclesfield Town Free transfer [8]
8 July 2019 RW England David Amoo Cambridge United Free transfer [9]
20 July 2019 DM England Callum Evans Macclesfield Town Free transfer [12]
27 July 2019 RW Antigua and Barbuda Rhys Browne Yeovil Town Free transfer [17]
31 July 2019 GK England Jonny Maddison Darlington Free transfer [18]
3 August 2019 MF England Alex Hurst Bradford Park Avenue Free transfer [19]
30 August 2019 CB England Shaun Brisley Notts County Free transfer [26]
31 August 2019 CF England Jordan McFarlane-Archer Bury Free transfer [27]
4 October 2019 CM England Will Atkinson Mansfield Town Free transfer [37]

Transfers out

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
5 July 2019 MF England Luke Daley Huddersfield Town Undisclosed [93]
5 August 2019 CB Wales Connell Rawlinson Notts County Free transfer [21]
3 September 2019 CM England Ben Whitfield Torquay United Mutual consent [29][94]
14 January 2020 MF England Joe Berks Stafford Rangers Released [95][96]
14 January 2020 MF England Lucas Green-Birch Market Drayton Town Released [95][97]
12 March 2020 CF England Richie Bennett Stockport County Undisclosed [66]
19 May 2020 CF England Jordan McFarlane-Archer Boston United Released [74][98]
19 May 2020 CM England Will Atkinson Alfreton Town Released [74][99]
19 May 2020 DM England Callum Evans Bath City Released [74][100]
19 May 2020 CB England Kieran Kennedy York City Released [74][101]
19 May 2020 AM England Ryan Lloyd Hereford Released [74][102]
19 May 2020 GK England Jonny Maddison Released [74]

Loans in

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
30 August 2019 MF England Jake Taylor Nottingham Forest 30 June 2020 [26][103]
30 January 2020 RB Wales Mitch Clark Leicester City 30 June 2020 [58]

Loans out

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
3 August 2019 MF England Alex Hurst Bradford Park Avenue 23 April 2020 [19][104]
5 August 2019 MF England Joe Berks Stafford Rangers 25 December 2019 [105]
13 September 2019 LB England Ryan Campbell-Gordon Ilkeston Town 13 October 2019 [106]
13 September 2019 AM England Daniel Trickett-Smith Curzon Ashton 14 November 2019 [107]
21 September 2019 CM England Lucas Green-Birch Market Drayton Town 21 October 2019 [108]
20 November 2019 CB England Kieran Kennedy Wales Wrexham 23 April 2020 [109][110]
18 December 2019 MF England Hayden Campbell Kidsgrove Athletic January 2020 [111]
18 December 2019 FW England Maxwell Chimenes Newcastle Town January 2020 [111]
16 January 2020 CF England Jordan McFarlane-Archer Stockport County 15 February 2020 [112]
21 February 2020 AM England Daniel Trickett-Smith FC United of Manchester 17 March 2020 [113]
29 February 2020 LB England Ryan Campbell-Gordon Kidsgrove Athletic 17 March 2020 [114]

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[edit]
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