2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 2011–12 season
is Port Vale
's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League
, and fourth successive season in League Two
. It marked the start of Micky Adams
' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come the end of the season. They exited both the League Cup
and Football League Trophy
at the First Round following defeats to League One
clubs. They also crashed out of the FA Cup
at the First Round against non-league opposition.
In September, it was announced that sports construction firm Blue Sky International were planning to invest £8 million into the club.
meant that Vale could enter the pre-season looking to improve the playing squad, rather than search for a new manager. His first signings of the season were former Glenn Hoddle Academy
youngsters Ryan Burge
and Ben Williamson, a midfielder and striker respectively. Adams' notoriously tough pre-season training regime began in earnest, though the players reported that they had come to expect the hard work come summertime and Adams himself was pleased with the condition his players began the pre-season in. Adams built on his new youth policy with the signatures of Sheffield United
duo Kingsley James
and Phil Roe; as well as Walsall
defender Clayton McDonald
, and left-back Mike Green
. The club undertook a tour of North America
for the first time in it's history
, where they recorded victories over USL Premier Development League
sides North Sound SeaWolves
, Tacoma Tide, Kitsap Pumas
, and Victoria Highlanders
. Following this tour, Justin Richards
made a surprise exit to Burton Albion
– this left namesake Marc
as the club's senior player at the relatively young age of 29, in one of the club's youngest ever squads. To replace the departing striker former loanee – and self confirmed Vale supporter – Tom Pope
was signed from Rotherham United
.
Vale began the season with a run of four games unbeaten, picking up easy wins over Accrington Stanley
and Barnet
and hard-fought draws with Crawley Town and Burton Albion
, before finishing August with a 3–2 defeat to Southend United
. Following a spate of injuries Adams signed Rangers
and Northern Ireland
utility player Andrew Little
on a four month loan. With 25 goals in the first six league games, Vale players found scoring goals easy, but the strength of the previous season – defending – seemed to have left them. In September, a brace from Rob Taylor
and late winner from Pope were enough to beat Bradford City
, as Vale climbed into the automatic promotion places. On 22 September 2011, Adams signed free agent Robert Kozluk
on a short term contract until 1 January 2012, and also brought in Liam Chilvers
on a months loan from Notts County
(a loan deal later extended to 24 December); both players were signed to bolster Vale's struggling defence. The pair made their débuts two days later, as Vale earned a 1–1 draw with local rivals Crewe Alexandra
at the Alexandra Stadium
– Pope finding an equalizer just two minutes after Byron Moore
gave the "Railwaymen" the lead.
However after scoring in all of their first fifteen league and cup games, a 4–0 home defeat by Morecambe
sent the "Valiants" down to eleventh place; in doing so the "Shrimps" avenged the 7–2 defeat inflicted upon them at the Globe Arena
on the penultimate day of the 2010–11 season. Andrew Little returned to parent club Rangers after the game, having damaged his knee ligaments during the defeat. Mike Green also left the club after asking to have his contract terminated following a loan spell at Eastleigh
. After a run of five games without a win – which included 388 minutes without scoring a goal – Adams signed Cameroonian striker Guy Madjo
and winger Jennison Myrie-Williams
on loan from Stevenage, as well as Irish defender Shane O'Connor
on loan from Ipswich Town
.
's board and some supporters' groups. The North London Valiants rejected a seat on the board after dismissing the offer as "hollow and disingenuous". Bratt resigned as chairman on 29 July, citing a desire to unite the fans, and was replaced by Mike Lloyd. The Board of Directors at the start of the campaign consisted of: Mike Lloyd (as Chairman), Glenn Oliver, Bill Bratt MBE, and Micky Adams (serving as both manager and director). Matchday tickets for adult fans were priced between £20.50 and £21.50 – the highest minimum price for an adult in the division – though a BBC survey placed Vale Park as the eighth priciest venue in the league when food and drink were also factored into the equation. Fan unrest emerged on the opening day of the season, as some 500 protesters campaigned outside the ground during the draw with Crawley Town
, before putting their views toward new chairman Mike Lloyd when he came to hear their views. Bratt then announced that he would step down as a director in September following planned investment from an anonymous group. This news was enough to end protests by fan group 'Black and Gold Until It's Sold', as the group waited for Valiant2001's influence in the boardroom to cease completely. In September 2011, the anonymous investors were revealed to be sports construction firm Blue Sky International, who planned to plough £5 million into the club in twelve months, as well as a further £2.5 million by 2016. This sum would secure the long-term future of the club.
Following the announcement of the Blue Sky investment, club CEO Perry Deakin announced his intention to purchase £100,000 of shares in order to replace Bill Bratt on the board of directors. Peter Miller, vice-president of the sports and education division of Global Events Group, a consultancy firm based in Atlanta, Georgia
, also bought a £250,000 stake in the club. As a result of the imminent investment and departure of the Valiant2001 directors, fan groups 'North London Valiants' and 'Black and Gold Until It's Sold' announced a cease-fire in their protests. 'North London Valiants' representative Malcolm Hirst said that "We feel the time has come to forget our political differences and move forward together"; whilst a 'Black and Gold' spokesman said that "Sadly, the dream of a fan-owned democratically run club proved beyond our reach and we have to accept that the smaller shareholders will not have any influence on the future direction of the club. The promise of a supporter director on the board is, however, a significant compromise." The day after these announcements Longsdon businessman Mark Sims, who had been voted onto the board four months earlier at the club's EGM, withdrew his candidacy after refusing to take on the required financial guarantees. That same day Bill Bratt resigned from the board completely, and was replaced by as a director by CEO Perry Deakin. Peter Miller was voted onto the board on 24 October. Miller was also elected chairman seven days later, with Mike Lloyd becoming vice-chairman. In November the club were threatened with legal action by Ameriturf, a rival company of Blue Sky that had previously been looking to invest in the club and that had sponsored the pre-season tour of America. Adams stepped down as a director on 5 November, the day of his 100th game in charge at Port Vale. However eleven days later, doubts began to emerge over the Blue Sky deal, as it was revealed that the deal may not go ahead due to 'contractual issues'. Fan groups criticized the board for their lack of transparency on the issue.
, Vale faced a home tie with Grimsby Town
, a side struggling in the Conference National
. A goalless draw meant the Vale had to find victory at Blundell Park
in order to progress. Conference South
side Salisbury City
awaited in the Second Round, meaning that Vale only had to beat two non-league sides to progress to a potentially lucrative Third Round tie. In the replay, Vale were forced to play in the colours of rivals
Stoke City
, due to a clash of kits. A Serge Makofo
goal was enough to settle the tie, as Vale exited the competition at the First Round for the first time since 2002
. Micky Adams
said he was "disappointed and embarrassed" and "I'm angry and disappointed with certain players and a little bit bewildered"; he also criticized the referee for allowing the goal despite the fact that Makofo handled the ball. He went on to say that "All leave has been cancelled, there's no more days off. It's double-session time every day until we get it right."
In the League Cup
, Vale fell at the first hurdle to highly fancied League One
side Huddersfield Town
; the "Valiants" took the lead with a Gary Roberts
effort, before the "Terriers" recovered to leave Burslem
with a 4–2 win.
In the Football League Trophy
, Vale exited at the First Round to League One Tranmere Rovers
following a shoot-out at Prenton Park
; Chris Martin scored a penalty and saved one, however misses by Pope and Roberts proved costly – ironically the pair had only been brought on as last minute substitutes to take penalties. This meant that Vale had been eliminated from the competition after a defeat in the penalty shoot-out for the third consecutive season. Adams paid little heed to the result though, as he was more concerned with Lewis Haldane
, who had to be stretchered off the field with a broken leg.
|}
2011–12 Football League
The Football League 2011–12, called the Npower Football League, is the 112th season of the Football League. It began in August 2011 and will conclude in May 2012, with the promotion play-off finals....
is Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and fourth successive season in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. It marked the start of Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come the end of the season. They exited both the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
at the First Round following defeats to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
clubs. They also crashed out of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
at the First Round against non-league opposition.
In September, it was announced that sports construction firm Blue Sky International were planning to invest £8 million into the club.
League Two
The return of Micky AdamsMicky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
meant that Vale could enter the pre-season looking to improve the playing squad, rather than search for a new manager. His first signings of the season were former Glenn Hoddle Academy
Glenn Hoddle Academy
The Glenn Hoddle Academy was established in 2008, by former England international footballer Glenn Hoddle. Hoddle set the academy up in the memory of his brother, Carl, a former Tottenham Hotspur player who died aged 40....
youngsters Ryan Burge
Ryan Burge
Ryan James Burge is an English football midfielder who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He had an unusual start to his career, playing on trial for clubs as far apart as Holland, Japan, and England. He was under contract at Birmingham City, Barnet and Japanese side Machida Zelvia.He joined the...
and Ben Williamson, a midfielder and striker respectively. Adams' notoriously tough pre-season training regime began in earnest, though the players reported that they had come to expect the hard work come summertime and Adams himself was pleased with the condition his players began the pre-season in. Adams built on his new youth policy with the signatures of Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
duo Kingsley James
Kingsley James
Kingsley Tyrone James is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Chasetown, on loan from League Two side Port Vale. A former Sheffield United youth team captain, he switched to Port Vale in summer 2011...
and Phil Roe; as well as Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
defender Clayton McDonald
Clayton McDonald
Clayton Rodney McDonald is an English football defender who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is the son of former professional Rod McDonald, and brother to another footballer also called Rod McDonald....
, and left-back Mike Green
Mike Green (footballer born 1989)
Michael John "Mike" Green is an English footballer. Green has spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers including loan spells at various non league sides including Gloucester City and Cirencester Town....
. The club undertook a tour of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
for the first time in it's history
History of Port Vale F.C.
The history of Port Vale F.C., an English association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, began when the club was formed in 1876. In 1884, the club moved to the town of Burslem, changing their name to Burslem Port Vale in the process. The club joined the Football League Second Division upon its...
, where they recorded victories over USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
sides North Sound SeaWolves
North Sound SeaWolves
North Sound SeaWolves is an American soccer team based in Everett, Washington, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, Tacoma Tide, Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas
Kitsap Pumas is an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.Kitsap are the reigning PDL champions,...
, and Victoria Highlanders
Victoria Highlanders
Victoria Highlanders is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
. Following this tour, Justin Richards
Justin Richards (footballer)
Justin Donovan Richards is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Burton Albion. A striker, he has a tally of around one goal every three games, playing in the Conference and lower reaches of the Football League...
made a surprise exit to Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
– this left namesake Marc
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
as the club's senior player at the relatively young age of 29, in one of the club's youngest ever squads. To replace the departing striker former loanee – and self confirmed Vale supporter – Tom Pope
Tom Pope
Thomas John "Tom" Pope is a professional English footballer who plays as a centre forward for League Two side Port Vale....
was signed from Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
.
Vale began the season with a run of four games unbeaten, picking up easy wins over Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
and Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
and hard-fought draws with Crawley Town and Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
, before finishing August with a 3–2 defeat to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. Following a spate of injuries Adams signed Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
utility player Andrew Little
Andrew Little (footballer)
Andrew Little is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He is also a Northern Ireland international....
on a four month loan. With 25 goals in the first six league games, Vale players found scoring goals easy, but the strength of the previous season – defending – seemed to have left them. In September, a brace from Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor (footballer)
Robert James "Rob" Taylor is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability....
and late winner from Pope were enough to beat Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, as Vale climbed into the automatic promotion places. On 22 September 2011, Adams signed free agent Robert Kozluk
Robert Kozluk
Robert Kozluk is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Predominantly a right-back, he can also operate on the left or at the centre of defence when needed....
on a short term contract until 1 January 2012, and also brought in Liam Chilvers
Liam Chilvers
Liam Christopher Chilvers is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for League Two side Port Vale, on loan from League One club Notts County.A graduate of the Arsenal Academy, he won the FA Youth Cup with the club in 2000...
on a months loan from Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
(a loan deal later extended to 24 December); both players were signed to bolster Vale's struggling defence. The pair made their débuts two days later, as Vale earned a 1–1 draw with local rivals Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
at the Alexandra Stadium
Alexandra Stadium
The Alexandra Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Crewe, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crewe Alexandra...
– Pope finding an equalizer just two minutes after Byron Moore
Byron Moore
Byron Curtis Moore is an English footballer currently playing for Crewe Alexandra.-Career:...
gave the "Railwaymen" the lead.
However after scoring in all of their first fifteen league and cup games, a 4–0 home defeat by Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
sent the "Valiants" down to eleventh place; in doing so the "Shrimps" avenged the 7–2 defeat inflicted upon them at the Globe Arena
Globe Arena (football stadium)
The Globe Arena is a football stadium in Morecambe, Lancashire, England, which is used by Morecambe F.C. It is named after Globe Construction, the company that built the stadium. The stadium holds up to 6,476 supporters, with 2,173 seats available in the Main Stand, which runs the length of one...
on the penultimate day of the 2010–11 season. Andrew Little returned to parent club Rangers after the game, having damaged his knee ligaments during the defeat. Mike Green also left the club after asking to have his contract terminated following a loan spell at Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
. After a run of five games without a win – which included 388 minutes without scoring a goal – Adams signed Cameroonian striker Guy Madjo
Guy Madjo
Guy Bertrand Madjo is a Cameroonian footballer currently playing for League Two side Port Vale on loan from League One side Stevenage....
and winger Jennison Myrie-Williams
Jennison Myrie-Williams
Jennison Machisti Myrie-Williams is an English footballer who plays as a winger for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from League One side Stevenage....
on loan from Stevenage, as well as Irish defender Shane O'Connor
Shane O'Connor (footballer)
Shane O'Connor is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from Championship club Ipswich Town.A graduate of the Liverpool F.C. Academy, he signed professionally with Ipswich Town in July 2009...
on loan from Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
.
Finances
On the financial side, hostilities were renewed between Bill BrattBill Bratt
William Amos "Bill" Bratt MBE is the former chairman of Port Vale Football Club, who served the club in this post from 2003 to 2011....
's board and some supporters' groups. The North London Valiants rejected a seat on the board after dismissing the offer as "hollow and disingenuous". Bratt resigned as chairman on 29 July, citing a desire to unite the fans, and was replaced by Mike Lloyd. The Board of Directors at the start of the campaign consisted of: Mike Lloyd (as Chairman), Glenn Oliver, Bill Bratt MBE, and Micky Adams (serving as both manager and director). Matchday tickets for adult fans were priced between £20.50 and £21.50 – the highest minimum price for an adult in the division – though a BBC survey placed Vale Park as the eighth priciest venue in the league when food and drink were also factored into the equation. Fan unrest emerged on the opening day of the season, as some 500 protesters campaigned outside the ground during the draw with Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
, before putting their views toward new chairman Mike Lloyd when he came to hear their views. Bratt then announced that he would step down as a director in September following planned investment from an anonymous group. This news was enough to end protests by fan group 'Black and Gold Until It's Sold', as the group waited for Valiant2001's influence in the boardroom to cease completely. In September 2011, the anonymous investors were revealed to be sports construction firm Blue Sky International, who planned to plough £5 million into the club in twelve months, as well as a further £2.5 million by 2016. This sum would secure the long-term future of the club.
Following the announcement of the Blue Sky investment, club CEO Perry Deakin announced his intention to purchase £100,000 of shares in order to replace Bill Bratt on the board of directors. Peter Miller, vice-president of the sports and education division of Global Events Group, a consultancy firm based in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, also bought a £250,000 stake in the club. As a result of the imminent investment and departure of the Valiant2001 directors, fan groups 'North London Valiants' and 'Black and Gold Until It's Sold' announced a cease-fire in their protests. 'North London Valiants' representative Malcolm Hirst said that "We feel the time has come to forget our political differences and move forward together"; whilst a 'Black and Gold' spokesman said that "Sadly, the dream of a fan-owned democratically run club proved beyond our reach and we have to accept that the smaller shareholders will not have any influence on the future direction of the club. The promise of a supporter director on the board is, however, a significant compromise." The day after these announcements Longsdon businessman Mark Sims, who had been voted onto the board four months earlier at the club's EGM, withdrew his candidacy after refusing to take on the required financial guarantees. That same day Bill Bratt resigned from the board completely, and was replaced by as a director by CEO Perry Deakin. Peter Miller was voted onto the board on 24 October. Miller was also elected chairman seven days later, with Mike Lloyd becoming vice-chairman. In November the club were threatened with legal action by Ameriturf, a rival company of Blue Sky that had previously been looking to invest in the club and that had sponsored the pre-season tour of America. Adams stepped down as a director on 5 November, the day of his 100th game in charge at Port Vale. However eleven days later, doubts began to emerge over the Blue Sky deal, as it was revealed that the deal may not go ahead due to 'contractual issues'. Fan groups criticized the board for their lack of transparency on the issue.
Cup competitions
In the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, Vale faced a home tie with Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, a side struggling in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. A goalless draw meant the Vale had to find victory at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
in order to progress. Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Salisbury City
Salisbury City F.C.
Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
awaited in the Second Round, meaning that Vale only had to beat two non-league sides to progress to a potentially lucrative Third Round tie. In the replay, Vale were forced to play in the colours of rivals
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, due to a clash of kits. A Serge Makofo
Serge Makofo
Serge Makofo is a professional Congolese footballer, who plays as a midfielder or striker for Grimsby Town in the Conference National....
goal was enough to settle the tie, as Vale exited the competition at the First Round for the first time since 2002
2002–03 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was Port Vale's ninety-first season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the Second Division. Another poor season, Brian Horton's side avoided relegation with a seventeenth place finish...
. Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
said he was "disappointed and embarrassed" and "I'm angry and disappointed with certain players and a little bit bewildered"; he also criticized the referee for allowing the goal despite the fact that Makofo handled the ball. He went on to say that "All leave has been cancelled, there's no more days off. It's double-session time every day until we get it right."
In the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, Vale fell at the first hurdle to highly fancied League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
; the "Valiants" took the lead with a Gary Roberts
Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987)
Gary Steven Roberts is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills...
effort, before the "Terriers" recovered to leave Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
with a 4–2 win.
In the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
, Vale exited at the First Round to League One Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
following a shoot-out at Prenton Park
Prenton Park
Prenton Park is an association football stadium in Birkenhead, England. It is the home ground of Tranmere Rovers F.C. The club moved to the current Prenton Park in 1912. The ground has had several rebuilds, with the most recent occurring in 1995 in response to the requirement of the Taylor Report...
; Chris Martin scored a penalty and saved one, however misses by Pope and Roberts proved costly – ironically the pair had only been brought on as last minute substitutes to take penalties. This meant that Vale had been eliminated from the competition after a defeat in the penalty shoot-out for the third consecutive season. Adams paid little heed to the result though, as he was more concerned with Lewis Haldane
Lewis Haldane
Lewis Oliver Haldane is a Welsh under-21 international football winger who plays for League Two side Port Vale....
, who had to be stretchered off the field with a broken leg.
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
|}
Football League Two
FA Cup
League Cup
League Trophy
Appearances and goals
| Pos. | # | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| GK | 1 |  Chris Martin |
3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| DF | 2 | Adam Yates Adam Yates Adam Paul Yates is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a full back. He is a former semi-pro international with England.... |
17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| MF | 3 | Rob Taylor Rob Taylor (footballer) Robert James "Rob" Taylor is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability.... |
16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 3 |
| MF | 4 |  Anthony GriffithAnthony Griffith Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team... |
18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| DF | 5 | John McCombe John McCombe John Paul McCombe is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. His brother Jamie is also a professional footballer.... |
13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| DF | 6 |  Gareth Owen |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| MF | 7 | Doug Loft Doug Loft Douglas James "Doug" Loft is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder.... |
17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 5 |
| MF | 8 | Louis Dodds Louis Dodds Louis Bartholomew Dodds is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play either as a midfielder or as a striker.... |
13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| FW | 9 | Marc Richards Marc Richards Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale.... |
10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| MF | 10 | Ryan Burge Ryan Burge Ryan James Burge is an English football midfielder who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He had an unusual start to his career, playing on trial for clubs as far apart as Holland, Japan, and England. He was under contract at Birmingham City, Barnet and Japanese side Machida Zelvia.He joined the... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| FW | 11 | Tom Pope Tom Pope Thomas John "Tom" Pope is a professional English footballer who plays as a centre forward for League Two side Port Vale.... |
19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 4 |
| GK | 12 | Stuart Tomlinson Stuart Tomlinson Stuart Charles Tomlinson is an English football goalkeeper who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Though a solid all-round keeper, he is a particularly strong shot-stopper.... |
17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| MF | 14 | Gary Roberts Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987) Gary Steven Roberts is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills... |
11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
| DF | 15 | Lee Collins Lee Collins (footballer born 1988) Lee Harvey Collins is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is a defender who can play as either a centre-back or as a full-back.... |
7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| MF | 16 | Lewis Haldane Lewis Haldane Lewis Oliver Haldane is a Welsh under-21 international football winger who plays for League Two side Port Vale.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | 17 | Sean Rigg Sean Rigg Sean Michael Rigg is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play on the wing or as a striker.Having graduated through the Bristol Academy of Sport, his professional career began at Bristol Rovers in 2006... |
14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 5 |
| MF | 18 | Sam Morsy Sam Morsy Samy Sayed "Sam" Morsy is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder.... |
9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| DF | 19 | Ben Williamson Ben Williamson (footballer) Benjamin "Ben" Williamson is an English football striker who plays for League Two side Port Vale on loan from Conference North side Hyde.... |
14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| DF | 20 | Mike Green Mike Green (footballer born 1989) Michael John "Mike" Green is an English footballer. Green has spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers including loan spells at various non league sides including Gloucester City and Cirencester Town.... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| DF | 21 | Kingsley James Kingsley James Kingsley Tyrone James is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Chasetown, on loan from League Two side Port Vale. A former Sheffield United youth team captain, he switched to Port Vale in summer 2011... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | 22 | Phil Roe |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | 23 | Charlie Raglan |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | 24 | Sam Johnson |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | 25 | Clayton McDonald Clayton McDonald Clayton Rodney McDonald is an English football defender who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is the son of former professional Rod McDonald, and brother to another footballer also called Rod McDonald.... |
13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| DF | 26 | Joe Davis Joe Davis (footballer born 1993) Joe Davis is an English football defender who plays for Port Vale of League Two. He is son to former professional Steve Davis and brother to Harry Davis, another footballer.-Playing career:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | 27 |  Andrew LittleAndrew Little (footballer) Andrew Little is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He is also a Northern Ireland international.... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| DF | 28 | Liam Chilvers Liam Chilvers Liam Christopher Chilvers is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for League Two side Port Vale, on loan from League One club Notts County.A graduate of the Arsenal Academy, he won the FA Youth Cup with the club in 2000... |
10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| DF | 29 | Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Predominantly a right-back, he can also operate on the left or at the centre of defence when needed.... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| MF | 32 | Ryan Lloyd Ryan Lloyd Ryan Lloyd is an English football midfielder who plays for Port Vale of League Two.-Playing career:Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lloyd started his career in the youth ranks at Port Vale, starting in the club's under-nine side... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | 33 | Dominic Thorley |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | 35 |  Guy MadjoGuy Madjo Guy Bertrand Madjo is a Cameroonian footballer currently playing for League Two side Port Vale on loan from League One side Stevenage.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | 36 | Jennison Myrie-Williams Jennison Myrie-Williams Jennison Machisti Myrie-Williams is an English footballer who plays as a winger for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from League One side Stevenage.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF |  Shane O'ConnorShane O'Connor (footballer) Shane O'Connor is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from Championship club Ipswich Town.A graduate of the Liverpool F.C. Academy, he signed professionally with Ipswich Town in July 2009... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Top Scorers
| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | League Two | FA Cup | League Cup | JP Trophy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | 9 | Marc Richards Marc Richards Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale.... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 2 | MF | 7 | Doug Loft Doug Loft Douglas James "Doug" Loft is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder.... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| = | MF | 17 | Sean Rigg Sean Rigg Sean Michael Rigg is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play on the wing or as a striker.Having graduated through the Bristol Academy of Sport, his professional career began at Bristol Rovers in 2006... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| = | MF | 14 | Gary Roberts Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987) Gary Steven Roberts is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| 5 | FW | 11 | Tom Pope Tom Pope Thomas John "Tom" Pope is a professional English footballer who plays as a centre forward for League Two side Port Vale.... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 6 | MF | 3 | Rob Taylor Rob Taylor (footballer) Robert James "Rob" Taylor is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| 7 | MF | 8 | Louis Dodds Louis Dodds Louis Bartholomew Dodds is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play either as a midfielder or as a striker.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| = | FW | 19 | Ben Williamson Ben Williamson (footballer) Benjamin "Ben" Williamson is an English football striker who plays for League Two side Port Vale on loan from Conference North side Hyde.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 9 | MF | Montserrat Montserrat Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline... |
4 | Anthony Griffith Anthony Griffith Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| = | DF | 5 | John McCombe John McCombe John Paul McCombe is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. His brother Jamie is also a professional footballer.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| = | MF | 18 | Sam Morsy Sam Morsy Samy Sayed "Sam" Morsy is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| TOTALS | 32 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 35 | ||||
Disciplinary Record
| Number | Nation | Position | Name | League Two | FA Cup | League Cup | JP Trophy | Total | |||||
| 9 | FW | Marc Richards Marc Richards Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale.... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4 | Montserrat Montserrat Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline... |
MF | Anthony Griffith Anthony Griffith Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | Gary Roberts Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987) Gary Steven Roberts is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 28 | DF | Liam Chilvers Liam Chilvers Liam Christopher Chilvers is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for League Two side Port Vale, on loan from League One club Notts County.A graduate of the Arsenal Academy, he won the FA Youth Cup with the club in 2000... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 11 | FW | Tom Pope Tom Pope Thomas John "Tom" Pope is a professional English footballer who plays as a centre forward for League Two side Port Vale.... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 8 | MF | Louis Dodds Louis Dodds Louis Bartholomew Dodds is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play either as a midfielder or as a striker.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 25 | DF | Clayton McDonald Clayton McDonald Clayton Rodney McDonald is an English football defender who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is the son of former professional Rod McDonald, and brother to another footballer also called Rod McDonald.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 18 | DF | Sam Morsy Sam Morsy Samy Sayed "Sam" Morsy is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 6 | DF | Gareth Owen | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 5 | DF | John McCombe John McCombe John Paul McCombe is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. His brother Jamie is also a professional footballer.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 3 | MF | Rob Taylor Rob Taylor (footballer) Robert James "Rob" Taylor is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He plays on the left flank and is known for his pace and dribbling ability.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 12 | GK | Stuart Tomlinson Stuart Tomlinson Stuart Charles Tomlinson is an English football goalkeeper who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Though a solid all-round keeper, he is a particularly strong shot-stopper.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 15 | DF | Lee Collins Lee Collins (footballer born 1988) Lee Harvey Collins is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is a defender who can play as either a centre-back or as a full-back.... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 29 | DF | Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Predominantly a right-back, he can also operate on the left or at the centre of defence when needed.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2 | DF | Adam Yates Adam Yates Adam Paul Yates is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a full back. He is a former semi-pro international with England.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |||
Transfers
| Players transferred in | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Pos. | Name | Previous Club | Fee | Ref. | |
| 28 June 2011 | MF | Ryan Burge Ryan Burge Ryan James Burge is an English football midfielder who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He had an unusual start to his career, playing on trial for clubs as far apart as Holland, Japan, and England. He was under contract at Birmingham City, Barnet and Japanese side Machida Zelvia.He joined the... |
Hyde Hyde F.C. Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010... |
Undisclosed | ||
| 1 July 2011 | DF | Mike Green Mike Green (footballer born 1989) Michael John "Mike" Green is an English footballer. Green has spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers including loan spells at various non league sides including Gloucester City and Cirencester Town.... |
AFC Totton A.F.C. Totton A.F.C. Totton is a football club based in Totton, Hampshire, England. Totton Football Club was founded in 1886 and changed its name to A.F.C. Totton in 1975. The newly established club was among the founding members of the Wessex League in 1986. They are currently members of the Southern League... |
Free | ||
| 1 July 2011 | DF | Kingsley James Kingsley James Kingsley Tyrone James is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Chasetown, on loan from League Two side Port Vale. A former Sheffield United youth team captain, he switched to Port Vale in summer 2011... |
Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
Free | ||
| 1 July 2011 | DF | Clayton McDonald Clayton McDonald Clayton Rodney McDonald is an English football defender who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is the son of former professional Rod McDonald, and brother to another footballer also called Rod McDonald.... |
Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
Free | ||
| 1 July 2011 | DF | Phil Roe |
Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
Free | ||
| 2 August 2011 | FW | Tom Pope Tom Pope Thomas John "Tom" Pope is a professional English footballer who plays as a centre forward for League Two side Port Vale.... |
Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
Free | ||
| 22 September 2011 | DF | Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk Robert Kozluk is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Predominantly a right-back, he can also operate on the left or at the centre of defence when needed.... |
Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
N/A | ||
| Players transferred out | ||||||
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee | Ref. | |
| 1 June 2011 | DF | Kris Taylor Kris Taylor Kris Taylor is an English footballer who plays for Conference National side Darlington.Never making the first team at Manchester United, he spent over three seasons at Walsall, after signing in February 2003. He spent two seasons at Hereford United from 2007 to 2009, before moving on to Port Vale... |
Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
Free | ||
| 9 June 2011 | DF | Matt Bell |
Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
Free | ||
| 29 June 2011 | DF | Ritchie Sutton Ritchie Sutton Ritchie Aidan Sutton is an English footballer who plays for Mansfield Town as a defender. He can operative as a centre-back or a full-back.... |
Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
Free | ||
| 28 July 2011 | FW | Justin Richards Justin Richards (footballer) Justin Donovan Richards is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Burton Albion. A striker, he has a tally of around one goal every three games, playing in the Conference and lower reaches of the Football League... |
Burton Albion Burton Albion F.C. Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005... |
Free | ||
| 17 November 2011 | DF | Mike Green Mike Green (footballer born 1989) Michael John "Mike" Green is an English footballer. Green has spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers including loan spells at various non league sides including Gloucester City and Cirencester Town.... |
Eastleigh Eastleigh F.C. Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:... |
Free | ||
| Players loaned in | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. | |
| 28 June 2011 | FW | Ben Williamson Ben Williamson (footballer) Benjamin "Ben" Williamson is an English football striker who plays for League Two side Port Vale on loan from Conference North side Hyde.... |
Hyde Hyde F.C. Hyde F.C. are an English semi-professional football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, who are nicknamed The Tigers. Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde F.C. in June 2010... |
31 May 2012 | ||
| 31 August 2011 | MF | Andrew Little Andrew Little (footballer) Andrew Little is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He is also a Northern Ireland international.... |
 RangersRangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
24 October 2011 | ||
| 22 September 2011 | DF | Liam Chilvers Liam Chilvers Liam Christopher Chilvers is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for League Two side Port Vale, on loan from League One club Notts County.A graduate of the Arsenal Academy, he won the FA Youth Cup with the club in 2000... |
Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
24 December 2011 | ||
| 24 November 2011 | DF | Shane O'Connor Shane O'Connor (footballer) Shane O'Connor is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from Championship club Ipswich Town.A graduate of the Liverpool F.C. Academy, he signed professionally with Ipswich Town in July 2009... |
Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
3 January 2012 | ||
| 24 November 2011 | FW | Guy Madjo Guy Madjo Guy Bertrand Madjo is a Cameroonian footballer currently playing for League Two side Port Vale on loan from League One side Stevenage.... |
Stevenage |
3 January 2012 | ||
| 24 November 2011 | MF | Jennison Myrie-Williams Jennison Myrie-Williams Jennison Machisti Myrie-Williams is an English footballer who plays as a winger for League Two club Port Vale, on loan from League One side Stevenage.... |
Stevenage |
3 January 2012 | ||
| Players loaned out | ||||||
| Date from | Pos. | Name | To | Date to | Ref. | |
| 29 August 2011 | GK | Sam Johnson |
Stafford Rangers Stafford Rangers F.C. Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts... |
29 October 2011 | ||
| 30 September 2011 | MF | Charlie Raglan |
Hinckley United Hinckley United F.C. Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years... |
5 December 2011 | ||
| 20 October 2011 | DF | Mike Green Mike Green (footballer born 1989) Michael John "Mike" Green is an English footballer. Green has spent the majority of his career with Bristol Rovers including loan spells at various non league sides including Gloucester City and Cirencester Town.... |
Eastleigh Eastleigh F.C. Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:... |
17 November 2011 | ||
| 20 October 2011 | DF | Kingsley James Kingsley James Kingsley Tyrone James is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Chasetown, on loan from League Two side Port Vale. A former Sheffield United youth team captain, he switched to Port Vale in summer 2011... |
Chasetown Chasetown F.C. Chasetown Football Club is an English football club based in the Chasetown area of Burntwood, Staffordshire. The club currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and is nicknamed The Scholars, having been formed by affiliates of nearby Chase Terrace High School in the Chase... |
20 November 2011 | ||