3/1 To Win
The 24 teams that will take part in Sky Bet League One in the 2023/24 season were confirmed at the end of May.
Here, dcfc.co.uk will take a look at each one in focus ahead of the new campaign getting underway at the start of August.
In this instalment, Port Vale are our focus.
Fact File
Established: 1907
Nickname: The Valiants
Home: Vale Park
Manager: Andy Crosby
2022/23 finish: 18th (Sky Bet League One)
Club History
Founded in 1907, Port Vale are the only English Football League club not to be named after a settlement with their name instead being reference to the valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
They have played at their now home, Vale Park, since 1950.
Vale hold the record for the most seasons played in the EFL (112) without ever making it to the top-flight. Their record finish was eighth in the second-tier in the 1996/97 season.
Two-time winners of the EFL Trophy, the Valiants were victorious in the competition in 1993 and 2001, beating Stockport County and Brentford respectively.
Played For Both
James Wilson
Striker Wilson had a short loan spell with the Rams in 2016 from then parent club Manchester United.
He played just four times for the first-team before suffering a knee injury which prematurely ended his 2016/17 season.
Wilson had far more success with the Valiants after moving their permanently in 2021. The striker made 74 appearances and scored 18 goals whilst also helping them achieve promotion in the 2021/22 season.
Robin van der Laan
Midfielder Robin van der Laan had incredibly successful spells at both Port Vale and Derby.
The Dutchman made his first move to England when he joined Vale in 1991. He spent four years with the club and memorably helped them earn promotion to the First Division in 1993/94 before moving to Derbyshire in the summer of 1995.
He was made captain by manager Jim Smith and scored the goal that helped seal the Rams’ promotion to the Premier League in 1996 against Crystal Palace.
Tom Cooper
The late Tom Cooper started his professional football career with Port Vale in 1924 but spent just two seasons there before earning a move to Derby in 1926.
He was made skipper during his eight-year stay with the Rams and helped them achieve promotion to the First Division in 1925/26.
During his stint at Derby, he was also called up to the international set-up where he represented England 15 times.
2022/23 Season
Last season was the first back in the third tier for the Valiants following promotion via the Sky Bet League Two play-offs in 2021/22.
Darrell Clarke, who led Vale to promotion, started the season as manager but was sacked in the April after a run of two victories in 18.
He was replaced by Andy Crosby who ultimately guided the side to an 18th place finish in their first year back in League One.
Record Against The Rams
Last season was a tale of 2-1’s as the Rams and Port Vale both registered 2-1 victories away from home against each other in the campaign.
Vale took the honours at Pride Park Stadium in October before Derby earned their revenge with the incredible turnaround in the last few minutes at Vale Park in January.
Historically it’s the Rams who edge things over the years having won 10 times to Vale’s eight with four draws along the way.
The two haven’t played out a draw since the 1995-96 season when both fixtures that campaign ended 0-0 and 1-1 respectively.
