2019–20 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2019–20 Port Vale F.C. season was the club's 108th season of football in the English Football League, and third consecutive season in EFL League Two. It is the first full season under manager John Askey and new owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan. The season covers the period from 1 July 2019 through to 30 June 2020.

Port Vale

2019–20 season
Owner	Synsol Holdings Limited
Chairperson/s	Carol and Kevin Shanahan (until 30 January)[1] Carol Shanahan (from 30 January)[1]
Manager	John Askey
Stadium	Vale Park
League Two	8th
FA Cup	Third round
EFL Cup	First round
EFL Trophy	Third round
Top goalscorer	League: Richie Bennett, Tom Pope (6 each) All: Tom Pope (10)
Highest home attendance	5,931 vs. Northampton Town, 10 August 2019
Lowest home attendance	571 vs. Newcastle United U21, 12 November 2019
Average home league attendance	4,862
Biggest win	3–0 vs. Colchester United, 15 February 2020
Biggest defeat	0–3 (twice), 1–4, 2–5
Home colours Away colours

Askey reshaped the squad by letting 14 players go and bringing in 14 new signings, though David Amoo was the only new player in the starting eleven for the opening game of the season. 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 at 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 were held to disappointing draws at home to struggling teams. They went on to claim five wins in six games in the month of 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, though 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.

Overview

EFL League Two

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, though Alex Hurst was immediately loaned back to Bradford (Park Avenue) in order 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 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, and 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 outfit, 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 games 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; the consolation goal was scored by Gibbons, 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 draw the game 1–1 after 2015 summer transfer window target Tom Elliott netted a 75th-minute equaliser.[59] The following week saw a drab game at Northampton Town, but 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 would miss 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]

Cup competitions

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.[75] They were then draw 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.[76] The club were rewarded in the third round draw with a trip to the Premier League champions, Manchester City.[77] Pep Guardiola praised Vale's away support after the club sold out their 8,000 ticket allocation.[78] 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.[79]

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.[80]

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.[81] 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.[82] 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.[83] 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.[84] They were then draw 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.[85] 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.[86]

Results

Win

Draw

Loss

Pre-season

Kidsgrove Athletic v Port Vale

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

Leek Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Fleetwood Town

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

Port Vale v Burnley

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

Port Vale v Bury

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

Main article: 2019–20 EFL League Two

League table

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[lower-alpha 1]
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; 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[87]
(O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted.
Notes:

1. Four teams play for one spot and promotion to EFL League One.

Results summary

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

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A
Result	D	D	D	W	L	W	L	W	L	D	D	W	L	D	W	D	W	W	L	L	D	D	D	W	D	W	L	W	L	W	D	W	W	W	D	D	D	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Position	13	16	17	11	16	10	14	10	15	13	15	10	13	16	10	11	10	8	9	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	9	8	6	8	7	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8

Source: Statto[88]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Colchester United v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Northampton Town

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

Salford City v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Forest Green Rovers

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

Grimsby Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Cambridge United

31 August 2019 (2019-08-31) 6	Port Vale	1–0	Cambridge United	Burslem
15:00 BST	Bennett  84'[89]	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,874 Referee: James Oldham

Newport County v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Plymouth Argyle

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

Exeter City v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Mansfield Town

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

Leyton Orient v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Morecambe

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

Macclesfield Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Stevenage

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

Bradford City v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Oldham Athletic

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

Crewe Alexandra v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Carlisle United

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

Scunthorpe United v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Walsall

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

Crawley Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Cheltenham Town

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

Mansfield Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Swindon Town

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

Port Vale v Macclesfield Town

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

Stevenage v Port Vale

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

Morecambe v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Leyton Orient

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

Swindon Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Exeter City

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

Port Vale v Salford City

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

Northampton Town v Port Vale

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

Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Colchester United

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

Walsall v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Scunthorpe United

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

Cheltenham Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Crawley Town

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]

Port Vale v Bradford City

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]

Oldham Athletic v Port Vale

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]

Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra

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]

Carlisle United v Port Vale

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]

Port Vale v Grimsby Town

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]

Cambridge United v Port Vale

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]

Port Vale v Newport County

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]

Plymouth Argyle v Port Vale

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

Main article: 2019–20 FA Cup

Milton Keynes Dons v Port Vale

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

Cheltenham Town v Port Vale

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

Manchester City v Port Vale

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

Main article: 2019–20 EFL Cup

Port Vale v Burton Albion

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

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

Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town

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

Macclesfield Town v Port Vale

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

Port Vale v Newcastle United U21

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

Port Vale v Mansfield Town

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 Taylor Burgess Atkinson		Hamilton Mellis Benning Knowles

Salford City v Port Vale

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

Appearances and goals

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

Top scorers

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

Number	Nation	Position	Name	EFL League Two		FA Cup		EFL Cup		EFL Trophy		Total
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

Transfers

Transfers in

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

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
5 July 2019	MF		Luke Daley	Huddersfield Town	Undisclosed	[90]
5 August 2019	CB		Connell Rawlinson	Notts County	Free transfer	[21]
3 September 2019	CM		Ben Whitfield	Torquay United	Mutual consent	[29][91]
14 January 2020	MF		Joe Berks	Stafford Rangers	Released	[92][93]
14 January 2020	MF		Lucas Green-Birch	Market Drayton Town	Released	[92][94]
12 March 2020	CF		Richie Bennett	Stockport County	Undisclosed	[66]
19 May 2020	CF		Jordan McFarlane-Archer		Released	[74]
19 May 2020	CM		Will Atkinson		Released	[74]
19 May 2020	DM		Callum Evans	Bath City	Released	[74][95]
19 May 2020	CB		Kieran Kennedy	York City	Released	[74][96]
19 May 2020	AM		Ryan Lloyd		Released	[74]
19 May 2020	GK		Jonny Maddison		Released	[74]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date until	Ref.
30 August 2019	MF		Jake Taylor	Nottingham Forest	30 June 2020	[26][97]
30 January 2020	RB		Mitch Clark	Leicester City	30 June 2020	[58]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date until	Ref.
3 August 2019	MF		Alex Hurst	Bradford Park Avenue	23 April 2020	[19][98]
5 August 2019	MF		Joe Berks	Stafford Rangers	25 December 2019	[99]
13 September 2019	LB		Ryan Campbell-Gordon	Ilkeston Town	13 October 2019	[100]
13 September 2019	AM		Daniel Trickett-Smith	Curzon Ashton	14 November 2019	[101]
21 September 2019	CM		Lucas Green-Birch	Market Drayton Town	21 October 2019	[102]
20 November 2019	CB		Kieran Kennedy	Wrexham	23 April 2020	[103][104]
18 December 2019	MF		Hayden Campbell	Kidsgrove Athletic	January 2020	[105]
18 December 2019	FW		Maxwell Chimenes	Newcastle Town	January 2020	[105]
16 January 2020	CF		Jordan McFarlane-Archer	Stockport County	15 February 2020	[106]
21 February 2020	AM		Daniel Trickett-Smith	FC United of Manchester	17 March 2020	[107]
29 February 2020	LB		Ryan Campbell-Gordon	Kidsgrove Athletic	17 March 2020	[108]

References

1. Baggaley, Michael (30 January 2020). "Port Vale's owners unveil new board". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
2. Baggaley, Michael (21 May 2019). "John Askey asks for patience after signing Port Vale deal". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
3. Baggaley, Michael (16 July 2019). "'It is about realism, Port Vale could have gone out of business' - Fans' chief". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
4. "Scott Burgess: Port Vale sign Bury midfielder on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
5. "Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign defender signs on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
6. "Kieran Kennedy: Port Vale sign Wrexham defender on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
7. Baggaley, Michael (21 June 2019). "Port Vale sign former Carlisle United and Morecambe striker Richie Bennett". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
8. "Mark Cullen and Ryan Lloyd: Port Vale bring in duo on one-year deals". BBC Sport. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
9. "David Amoo: Port Vale sign ex-Cambridge United winger on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
10. Baggaley, Michael (8 July 2019). "Port Vale sign former Preston, Carlisle and Cambridge winger David Amoo". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
11. Baggaley, Michael (12 July 2019). "Latest on trialists as Port Vale check out promising non-league midfielder". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
12. "Callum Evans: Port Vale sign ex-Macclesfield Town defender". BBC Sport. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
13. Kemble, Jamie; McCartney, Aidan; Wales, Keith (18 July 2019). "Bradford win title, but what about the Vale? - Bookies' League Two predictions". stokesentinel. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
14. Baggaley, Michael (19 July 2019). "Port Vale's new 2019/20 kits revealed - club launches home and away kit". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
15. Baggaley, Michael (19 July 2019). "'Traditional and meaningful' - owner as Port Vale launch black and gold kit". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
16. Spinks, Martin (22 July 2019). "Owners head north as Port Vale remain in right direction". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
17. Baggaley, Michael (27 July 2019). "Port Vale sign winger Rhys Browne". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
18. Baggaley, Michael (31 July 2019). "Port Vale snap up former Leicester, Sunderland and Yeovil goalkeeper". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
19. "Alex Hurst: Port Vale sign Bradford (Park Avenue) midfielder". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
20. Baggaley, Michael (3 August 2019). "Colchester manager's praise for Port Vale after 1-1 draw". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
21. "Defender leaves Port Vale for non-league giants". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
22. Baggaley, Michael (10 August 2019). "Port Vale 1, Northampton 1: John Askey's verdict as Vale held in first home game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
23. Baggaley, Michael (17 August 2019). "Salford 1, Port Vale 1: John Askey's verdict as Vale are denied in injury time". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
24. Baggaley, Michael (20 August 2019). "Port Vale 2, Forest Green 1: Report as Vale claim first win in style". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
25. Baggaley, Michael (25 August 2019). "Verdict - Grimsby defeat was unwelcome reminder of how far Port Vale have to go". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
26. "Port Vale sign Shaun Brisley & add Nottingham Forest's Jake Taylor on loan". BBC Sport. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
27. "Bury striker Jordan Archer joins Port Vale on one-year contract from expelled club". BBC Sport. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
28. Baggaley, Michael (1 September 2019). "Not perfect but new look Port Vale hitting plenty of the right notes". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
29. Baggaley, Michael (3 September 2019). "Ben Whitfield leaves Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
30. Baggaley, Michael (7 September 2019). "Newport County 1, Port Vale 0 RECAP! Report and reaction as Vale are edged out". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
31. Baggaley, Michael (14 September 2019). "Port Vale 1, Plymouth 0: John Askey's verdict as Vale see off promotion hopefuls". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
32. Baggaley, Michael (17 September 2019). "Exeter City 2, Port Vale 0 - Report as Vale fall short at leaders". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
33. Baggaley, Michael (21 September 2019). "Port Vale 2, Mansfield 2 - John Askey's verdict after dramatic draw". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
34. Baggaley, Michael (21 September 2019). "'I hate players diving' - Port Vale boss on ref and Mansfield striker". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
35. Baggaley, Michael (29 September 2019). "Not perfect but entertaining Port Vale are getting fans on edge of seats again". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
36. Baggaley, Michael (2 October 2019). "'Swap your Stoke City shirt for a Port Vale one' - Vale's offer to youngsters". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
37. "Will Atkinson: Port Vale sign midfielder on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
38. Baggaley, Michael (5 October 2019). "Will Atkinson makes Port Vale history by playing in Morecambe game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
39. Baggaley, Michael (6 October 2019). "Free-scoring Port Vale still improving under John Askey". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
40. Baggaley, Michael (13 October 2019). "Port Vale's dismal performance at Macclesfield gives manager much to consider". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
41. Baggaley, Michael (20 October 2019). "Frustrating Stevenage draw shows Port Vale still have a long way to go". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
42. Baggaley, Michael (22 October 2019). "Bradford 1, Port Vale 2 report: Atkinson's late strike sparks wild celebrations". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
43. Baggaley, Michael (27 October 2019). "Game on against the odds but Port Vale's high hopes end in damp squib". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
44. Baggaley, Michael (3 November 2019). "Crewe Alex 0, Port Vale 1 recap - Jake Taylor fires Vale to victory". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
45. Baggaley, Michael (17 November 2019). "'Super David Worrall' epitomises Port Vale's approach in Carlisle cracker". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
46. Baggaley, Michael (24 November 2019). "'Thanks a lot Scunthorpe' - Port Vale's defeat and suspensions on bogey ground". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
47. Baggaley, Michael (9 December 2019). "Absent players sorely missed as frustrated Port Vale miss opportunity". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
48. Baggaley, Michael (15 December 2019). "John Askey happy to deal with high expectations at Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
49. Baggaley, Michael (22 December 2019). "Exciting football? This is catching on after three testing years at Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
50. Baggaley, Michael (26 December 2019). "Mansfield 2, Port Vale 2 Report: Vale frustrated in bid to close play-off gap". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
51. Baggaley, Michael (29 December 2019). "Report as Port Vale end decade in style with 2-0 win at home to leaders Swindon". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
52. Baggaley, Michael (1 January 2020). "Match report as Port Vale lack spark in 2-2 draw at home to Macclesfield". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
53. Baggaley, Michael (12 January 2020). "Play offs? Port Vale are still in contention after gutsy win". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
54. Baggaley, Michael (14 January 2020). "Match report as Port Vale are found wanting in 2-1 defeat at Morecambe". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
55. Baggaley, Michael (19 January 2020). "'That's all I'm saying!' - Nathan Smith on his future as Port Vale beat Orient". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
56. Baggaley, Michael (25 January 2020). "John Askey on Nathan Smith injury as Port Vale are beaten 3-0 at Swindon". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
57. Baggaley, Michael (28 January 2020). "Vale 3, Exeter 1: Report as Valiants' comeback stuns second-placed Grecians". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
58. "Mitchell Clark: Leicester City loan defender to Port Vale". BBC Sport. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
59. Baggaley, Michael (2 February 2020). "'I believe in our players' - Askey on Clark and Port Vale's transfer business". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
60. Baggaley, Michael (8 February 2020). "'Vale are on the up' - Matchwinner's message as Port Vale move in play-off range". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
61. "Match Report: Forest Green Rovers". www.port-vale.co.uk. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
62. Baggaley, Michael (15 February 2020). "Port Vale 3, Colchester 0 RECAP - Reaction as Vale climb to play-off spots". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
63. Baggaley, Michael (23 February 2020). "Six more wins? Port Vale's dramatic draw at Walsall and the play-off race". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
64. Baggaley, Michael (1 March 2020). "'Kick in the teeth' - but Port Vale ready for last 10 games of thrilling season". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
65. Baggaley, Michael (9 March 2020). "Penalty shouts and promotion prospects - verdict on Port Vale's dramatic weekend". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
66. Baggaley, Michael (12 March 2020). "'An opportunity I couldn't refuse' - Port Vale sell striker to Stockport". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
67. "Coronavirus: Premier League and EFL suspended in England - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland halt games". BBC Sport. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
68. "Coronavirus: English football suspension extended until at least 30 April". BBC Sport. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
69. "EFL statement: Coronavirus update". www.efl.com. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
70. Baggaley, Michael (6 April 2020). "'Work together' - Port Vale owner on financial challenges for League Two clubs". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
71. Baggaley, Michael (21 April 2020). "'We have to protect the club' - Port Vale put players and staff on furlough". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
72. Baggaley, Michael (15 May 2020). "Port Vale give up promotion hopes to try to avert League Two financial crisis". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
73. Pilnick, Brent (17 May 2020). "League Two: University of Reading experts predict how table would have looked". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
74. Baggaley, Michael (18 May 2020). "Port Vale release six players and offer seven new contracts in retained list". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
75. Baggaley, Michael (9 November 2019). "MK Dons 0, Port Vale 1 Recap - David Worrall heads Vale to FA Cup win". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
76. Baggaley, Michael (1 December 2019). "From 'lowest point of career' to hat-trick hero - Port Vale's Tom Pope". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
77. Murphy, Daniel (2 December 2019). "Man City draw Port Vale in FA Cup third round". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
78. Baggaley, Michael (3 January 2020). "Pep Guardiola on Port Vale's huge travelling support for Man City game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
79. Baggaley, Michael (5 January 2020). "Magnificent! Port Vale players and fans do club proud at Man City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
80. Baggaley, Michael (13 August 2019). "Port Vale 1, Burton 2: Vale's effort not enough against League One outfit". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
81. Baggaley, Michael (12 July 2019). "Port Vale land Premier League academy in EFL Trophy draw". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
82. Baggaley, Michael (3 September 2019). "Port Vale 2, Shrewsbury 1 report as Jordan Archer fires Vale to comeback win". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
83. Baggaley, Michael (30 September 2019). "Macclesfield Trophy crowd was among lowest ever for a Port Vale game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
84. Baggaley, Michael (12 November 2019). "Port Vale 2, Newcastle United 1 - match report of Vale's Trophy win". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
85. Baggaley, Michael (3 December 2019). "Port Vale 2, Mansfield 2 - Report as Vale go through on penalties". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
86. Baggaley, Michael (7 January 2020). "Salford 3, Port Vale 0: Report as sorry Vale are well beaten in Trophy". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
87. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
88. Port Vale 2019–2020 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
89. Baggaley, Michael (11 September 2019). "Richie Bennett becomes Port Vale's league top scorer after successful appeal". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
90. "Town Academy Signs Promising Pair". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
91. "Ben Whitfield Signs For United". Torquay United F.C. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
92. Baggaley, Michael (13 January 2020). "Port Vale release young midfielders at end of their deals". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
93. "Another Yeltz Trophy triumph". Express and Star. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
94. "Worksop Town respond well to early wake-up call for home win". Worksop Guardian. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
95. "Player News - Callum Evans". Bath City FC. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
96. "York City sign defender Kieran Kennedy as rebuild continues". York Press. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
97. Baggaley, Michael (17 January 2020). "Port Vale and Nottingham Forest agree deal in principle for Jake Taylor". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
98. "Hurst To Remain At The Avenue". Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
99. "Stafford Land Port Vale Midfielder". The Bet Victor League Northern Premier. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
100. "Campbell-Gordon joins Ilkeston Town on loan". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
101. Baggaley, Michael (13 September 2019). "Port Vale midfielder clinches loan move". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
102. Baggaley, Michael (23 September 2019). "Port Vale midfielder secures loan move". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
103. Baggaley, Michael (20 November 2019). "Port Vale defender joins National League Wrexham on loan". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
104. "Wrexham AFC Extend Kieran Kennedy's Loan From League Two Side Port Vale". Wrexham A.F.C. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
105. "Chimenes and Campbell depart on loan". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
106. "Jordan Archer departs on loan". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
107. "Loan deal: Trickett-Smith". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
108. Baggaley, Michael (29 February 2020). "Port Vale defender secures non-league loan move". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 March 2020.