2014–15 Port Vale F.C. season
Port Vale 2014–15 football season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2014–15 season was Port Vale's 103rd season of football in the English Football League and second-successive season in League One. Before the season began, the bookies listed the club as the third favourite to be relegated.[1]
(until 18 September)
Rob Page
(from 18 September)
| 2014–15 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Norman Smurthwaite | |||
| Manager | Micky Adams (until 18 September) Rob Page (from 18 September) | |||
| Stadium | Vale Park | |||
| Football League One | 18th (54 points) | |||
| FA Cup | First Round (knocked out by Milton Keynes Dons) | |||
| League Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Cardiff City) | |||
| Football League Trophy | Second Round (knocked out by Preston North End) | |||
| Player of the Year | Michael O'Connor | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Tom Pope (8) All: Tom Pope (12) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 8,524 vs. Sheffield United, 26 December 2014 | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 2,824 vs. Hartlepool United, 12 August 2014 | |||
| Average home league attendance | 5,290 | |||
| Biggest win | 6–2 vs. Hartlepool United, 12 August 2014 | |||
| Biggest defeat | 0–3 (twice) | |||
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| ||||
A run of six defeats resulted in a surprise resignation from manager Micky Adams on 18 September, and his assistant Rob Page took his place in the hot seat. Chairman Norman Smurthwaite then initiated his plan for the club to sign young players to develop and sell for profit later. Vale exited the cups in the early stages after coming up against tough opposition, exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Milton Keynes Dons, losing to Cardiff City in the League Cup and Preston North End in the Football League Trophy. They climbed up the league table under Page, reaching the outskirts of the play-offs by the end of February before a late-season collapse saw them finish in 18th place.
Overview
League One
Manager Micky Adams ended months of speculation surrounded his future when he signed a 12-month rolling contract the following in June 2014.[2] His first signing of the season was versatile left-sided player Colin Daniel.[3] Kaid Mohamed left the club on loan, after he agreed to spend the season playing for Northampton Town.[4] Adams admitted he was finding it difficult to sign new players to take the club forward after losing out on numerous transfer targets to rival clubs.[5] Chairman Norman Smurthwaite was criticised by fans for showing a lack of ambition, but Smurthwaite defended his record by pointing to falling season ticket sales and the high amount of time and money he had invested in the club without financial reward.[6] The second signing of the season was 24-year-old full-back Ryan McGivern, who negotiated a release from relegated Scottish Premier League club Hibernian in order to sign a two-year contract with the Vale.[7] The third arrival was winger Mark Marshall, who had spent the latter half of the previous campaign with Coventry City after serving a two-year ban for taking performance-enhancing drugs.[8] His next signing was winger Byron Moore, who turned down a contract offer at nearby Crewe Alexandra to join the Vale.[9] This capture raised the tensions between Vale and Crewe, particularly after Adams and Crewe boss Steve Davis had a spat over the departure of his son Joe Davis; his father claiming Vale's contract offer to Joe was "derisory".[10] Adams looked at a number of players on trial over the summer, including: Michael O’Connor, Steve Jennings, Javan Vidal, and Sylvestre Guyonet.[11] Adams completed his squad on 18 July with a triple signing, taking on a trio of experienced midfielders: Michael Brown, Steve Jennings, and Michael O'Connor.[12] He took the squad on a pre-season tour of Cornwall, including a stay at HMS Raleigh.[13] Adams added to the squad by taking in versatile right-back Frédéric Veseli on a long-term loan from Ipswich Town.[14] Carl Dickinson was appointed as club captain in August 2014, taking the armband from the departed Doug Loft.[15]
Vale opened the season with a 1–1 draw at home to Walsall, with young goalkeeper Sam Johnson being favoured ahead of Chris Neal.[16] An excellent away win followed as Vale picked up a 3–1 win at newly relegated Doncaster Rovers.[17] Adams said this performance was as good as he had seen in an away game during his time as Vale manager.[18] They remained unbeaten after picking up a 1–1 draw with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.[19] Their unbeaten start to the season came to an end with a 2–0 home defeat to Notts County, with the Vale unable to turn round a 1–0 half-time deficit despite a strong attacking performance in the second half.[20] To boost his attacking options, Adams then took in Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Slew on loan until January.[21] However, Adams went on to bemoan defensive errors as Chesterfield left Burslem with a 2–1 win following a bad-tempered encounter upon Daniel Jones's return to Vale Park.[22][23] After the match opposition player Armand Gnanduillet was racially abused by a Vale supporter.[24] Adams ended the month by signing French striker Achille Campion on loan from Swedish side Norrby IF.[25]
A trip to London Road opened September for Vale, and Adams changed the team following the run of defeats, but league leaders Peterborough United proved too strong as they ran out 3–1 winners.[26] The run of defeats was extended to five games on 13 September when local rivals Crewe Alexandra picked up their first points of the season.[27] Following the defeat Adams told the media that his position would be under threat if results did not turn around quickly.[28] Three days later league leaders Bristol City made it six defeats in a row by inflicting a 3–0 defeat on the Vale.[29] This proved too much for Adams, who announced his resignation on 18 September.[30] Rob Page stepped in as caretaker manager initially "until the end of October".[31] His first game in charge saw the Vale beat Barnsley 2–1, Mark Marshall providing a deserved late winner with a mazy penalty box run.[32] At Bradford City former Valiant Billy Knott gave away a penalty which was converted by Chris Lines, but a Mark Yeates free kick just before half-time levelled the scores.[33] The defence was then bolstered with the signings of two loanee players: Guadeloupe international Stéphane Zubar from AFC Bournemouth, and 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Reiss Greenidge from West Bromwich Albion.[34]
A trip to Fleetwood Town on 4 October proved fruitless after a late penalty gave Fleetwood a 1–0 win; Vale had played well and seemed to have done enough to earn a point despite playing much of the match with ten men after Slew was sent off for striking an opposition player.[35] In search of a first clean sheet of the season, Page signed 19-year-old centre-back Remie Streete on loan from Newcastle United.[36] Vale came out of the relegation zone on 11 October with a convincing 4–1 win over struggling Yeovil Town.[37] A 2–0 defeat followed at Deepdale, with Zubar receiving a straight red card for lashing out at Preston North End's Joe Garner.[38] After the game Page condemned Garner for play-acting throughout the match to try and get Vale player's sent off.[39] The loan signings continued, as Leicester City's Saint Kitts and Nevis international striker Harry Panayiotou arrived on a one-month loan.[40] The club were also in talks with former Premier League midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, who instead joined fellow relegation battlers Scunthorpe United.[41] Ironically a few days later Scunthorpe then came to Burslem, as did the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo, and the game ended 2–2 despite the Vale leading 2–1 and facing ten men after former player Jennison Myrie-Williams was sent off.[42] The fifth signing of Page's reign then arrived in the form of French striker Dany N'Guessan, who signed a two-month deal.[43] The signing came in good time as Tom Pope was later ruled out of action for a few weeks with a knee injury.[44] Vale then beat Leyton Orient 3–0, keeping their first clean sheet of the season; Orient were reduced to ten men early in the first half after Darius Henderson was sent off for elbowing Richard Duffy.[45] Having taken the club up seven league places within six weeks, Page was appointed as manager on a permanent basis on 29 October.[46]
Vale opened November with three points at Colchester United; Neal saved a first-half penalty before Marshall and Daniel secured the goals in a 2–1 win.[47] The search for talented young players continued, with Aziz Deen-Conteh and Enoch Andoh both joining the club on a trial basis.[48][49] The clash with Rochdale on 15 November came amidst a defensive crisis as Streete was recalled from his loan and both Duffy and McGivern were suspended.[50] The positive results kept coming however, as Vale moved into the top half of the table with a 1–0 win.[51] Former Chelsea left-back Aziz Deen-Conteh then signed a deal with the club until 2017.[52] Leaving the club, though only on a 28-day loan, was goalkeeper Sam Johnson, who went to Conference Premier side Alfreton Town.[53] Not long after their FA Cup triumph at Vale Park, Milton Keynes Dons hosted the Vale and ran out 1–0 following a sending off to Chris Lines.[54] Another two long-term prospects were then added in the form of Ghana youth international Enoch Andoh, who signed an 18-month contract, and former Manchester City striker Alex Nimely.[55][56] The "Valiants" then ended the month with a 2–2 draw at Gillingham, Brown's 94th-minute equaliser securing a deserved point.[57]
After a two-week break Vale hosted Coventry City on 13 December, and went on to lose the game 2–0 after failing to pose much of an attacking threat.[58] They got back to winning ways the following week by beating struggling Crawley Town 2–1.[59] The visitors on Boxing Day were Sheffield United, who were defeated 2–1 after referee Stuart Attwell sent off "Blades" defender Chris Basham and later gave Vale a penalty.[60] Another tricky tie followed at Swindon Town, who went into the automatic promotion places after beating Vale 1–0.[61]
Vale began 2015 with a home tie against Gillingham, and a victory took them to within a point of the play-offs thanks to a stoppage time winner from Colin Daniel.[62] Shortly after Frédéric Veseli's loan signing from Ipswich was made into a permanent deal.[63] Going forward Page managed to adequately cover for the continuing absence of Pope by playing Ben Williamson as a lone striker supported by Louis Dodds in a central attacking midfield role.[64] The next week's opponents, Chesterfield, were one place above Vale, but a 3–0 Chesterfield win put Vale four points and four places outside the play-offs; both chairman and manager described the performance as "embarrassing".[65] This proved to be a temporary setback however, as Vale went on to beat Peterborough 2–1.[66] A win over "A500 derby" rivals Crewe would then take Vale into the play-offs, but a 1–0 win completed a double over Vale for the "Railwaymen"; Neal saved a penalty he himself gave away but could not keep out Nicky Ajose's 39th-minute strike.[67] Next opponents Barnsley tried to buy Tom Pope before Vale's visit to Oakwell.[68] Pope played against Barnsley but it was goalkeeper Neal who opened the scoring after fumbling into his own net just before half-time; Barnsley went on to win the game 2–1.[69] Pope stayed put throughout the remainder of the transfer window, instead it was N'Guessan who departed, whilst Tommy O'Sullivan and Greg Luer arrived on loan.[70]
Vale twice came from behind at home to Bradford on 7 February, Campion scoring the first equalizer before City goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was sent off in stoppage time for bringing down Birchall; O'Connor converted the resulting penalty.[71] A trip to league leaders Bristol City followed, who demonstrated their superiority over the Vale with a 3–1 win.[72] To bolster the defence Page signed 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) teenage centre-back Ryan Inniss on a youth loan from Crystal Palace.[73] The youngster made his debut at Walsall, helping Vale to a rare clean sheet as Tom Pope returned to the score-sheet.[74] A second clean sheet followed in a 3–0 home win over Doncaster Rovers, as both Veseli and Moore opened their accounts with the club to complete the double over "Donny".[75] A 1–0 win over Notts County extended the run of victories and clean sheets and took Vale to within three points of the play-offs.[76]
March began poorly as managerless Oldham broke Vale's run of results with a 1–0 victory in a dour game.[77] Vale then came from behind to win 3–2 at Coventry, moving themselves to within two points of the play-offs in the process.[78] This proved to be Inniss's last game for the club, and Lines also left the club after the game, joining former club Bristol Rovers on loan.[79] Swindon then dented Vale's promotion hopes with a 1–0 in Burslem, defending an eighth-minute lead from Brazilian defender Raphael Rossi Branco.[80] Dodds twice put Vale ahead of Crawley, but the relegation-threatened visitors came from behind to win the game 3–2 to effectively end Vale's play-off hopes in front of just 3,852 supporters.[81] Page said the performance was "embarrassing".[82] Pope was dropped for the trip to Bramall Lane, though came on at half-time during a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United.[83] On deadline loan deal day, Page made a triple signing: Portuguese winger Francisco Júnior (Everton), Scottish defender Neill Collins (Sheffield United), and Senegalese attacker Mohamed Coulibaly (AFC Bournemouth).[84] Francisco Júnior and Collins started at Leyton Orient, but a 1–0 lead turned into a 2–1 deficit following Chris Neal's sending off.
Second-from-bottom Colchester opened the Easter weekend with a 2–1 win at Vale Park, leaving Vale just four points above the relegation zone.[85] Five changes were made for the trip to Rochdale, but a stoppage time goal from former Valiant Calvin Andrew condemned Vale to a sixth-successive defeat. The run of defeats was ended with a 0–0 draw at home to third-place Milton Keynes Dons.[86] Richard Duffy then scored the first goal of his Vale career against Scunthorpe and secured a draw that took the club over the 50 point mark; however, a Kyle Wootton goal five minutes into stoppage time denied Vale the victory.[87] Second-place Preston twice took the lead against Vale, but despite Duffy being sent off Vale came back with two Michael O'Connor penalties to claim an important point.[88] Vale secured their League One status with 2–1 win at bottom-club Yeovil, ending a run of nine games without a win.[89] This left the final game against Fleetwood as a formality, as Vale fell to a 2–1 defeat.[90]
The first departure announced at the end of the campaign was from the coaching staff, with Mark Grew standing down after 25 years at Vale Park.[91] Of the playing staff only three players were not offered new contracts: Chris Robertson, Kaid Mohamed and Alex Nimely.[92] Star striker Tom Pope chose to leave the club, rejecting an offer of a 50% pay cut in favour of a move to newly promoted Bury.[93] The next player to depart was strike partner Ben Williamson, who left for Gillingham.[94] Chris Lines had his contract cancelled in order to join Bristol Rovers on a permanent basis and free up the wage budget for Page.[95] Full-back Frédéric Veseli and star winger Mark Marshall also left the club after rejecting new contract offers.[96][97]
Finances & ownership issues
PVFC Limited, the club's holding company, was hit with a winding-up order by HM Revenue and Customs in July 2014; chairman Norman Smurthwaite insisted this would not affect the club and that a funding error caused the problem and expected the order to be withdrawn.[98] Smurthwaite continued to affect changes at the club, controversially axing the system of door-to-door lottery collectors and banishing the Port Vale Community Trust out of Vale Park; the charity subsequently was offered a rent-free tenancy at the Touch building in Trinity Street, Hanley by Vale supporter Jason Nixon who also stated that he had business contacts interested in buying the club.[99][100]
Smurthwaite invested £500,000 into the playing budget in order to help Micky Adams strengthen the squad.[101] Despite not wanting him to resign, once Adams left the club Smurthwaite initiated a policy of experimenting with young players in the hope of turning a profit from player sales in the future.[102] Smurthwaite did cause controversy however, by telling a reporter that supporters who only attended away matches (due partly to Vale Park's high ticket costs) "disgusted" him and that they should "go and support another club".[103]
In February, the home game with Doncaster Rovers was put into doubt after Smurthwaite refused to pay extra policing costs that Staffordshire Police had demanded following intelligence that there would be troublemakers instigating violence at the game.[104] Smurthwaite denied Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis's claim that Smurthwaite threatened to close the club down during the dispute, but retracted his threat to bar police officers from entering the ground during the match.[105] Smurthwaite cancelled an expensive arranged loan deal for an unnamed Premier League player in March after being disappointment with low home attendances; he stated "I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall with it all."[106] An e-mail sent from Smurthwaite's account claimed that he was looking to sell the club and would invest no further money in the club, but he claimed his account had been hacked and that the e-mail was a hoax.[107]
Cup competitions
A tricky draw in the first round left Vale facing Milton Keynes Dons; the game proved to be an entertaining one, but despite Dany N'Guessan scoring two goals, he ended up on the losing side as the Dons ran out 4–3 winners.[108]
Vale made progress in the League Cup by beating League Two side Hartlepool United 6–2 in the first round, Ben Williamson scoring a hat-trick within the space of ten minutes.[109] Their second round opponents were newly relegated Championship side Cardiff City, who ran out 3–2 victors with former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda marking his debut with a brace; the highlight for Vale was a 40 yards (37 m) goal from Michael O'Connor.[110][111]
After a bye in the first round of the Football League Trophy, Vale faced a tricky tie with Preston North End at Deepdale. Tom Pope cancelled out Chris Humphrey early strike, but the game was won in the 63rd minute by a deft chipped goal from Joe Garner, with Paul Gallagher and Tom Pope completing the scoring to make it 3–2 to the "Lambs".[112]
Results
Pre-season
| 12 July 2014 Friendly | Newcastle Town | 0–6 | Port Vale | Newcastle-under-Lyme |
| Report | Lines  13' Daniel 33' Lloyd 55', 57' Williamson 77' Vidal 80' |
Stadium: Lyme Valley Stadium Attendance: 2,360 |
| 14 July 2014 Friendly | Alsager Town | 0–8 | Port Vale | Alsager |
| 19:30 BST | Report | McGivern 11' Marshall 20'Lines 43' (pen.)Haughton 50'Pope 57', 68'Boot 81'Morris 84' |
Stadium: Wood Park Stadium |
| 15 July 2014 Friendly | Norton United | 0–1 | Port Vale | Smallthorne |
| Report | Pope 10' |
Stadium: Norton Cricket Club & Miners Welfare Institute |
| 19 July 2014 Friendly | Alfreton Town | 1–2 | Port Vale | Alfreton |
| 15:00 | Jackson 5' |
Report | Lloyd 18' Dickinson 45+1' |
Stadium: North Street Attendance: 301 |
| 21 July 2014 Friendly | Plymouth Parkway | 0–4 | Port Vale | Plymouth |
| 19:30 BST | Report | Marshall 8' Dickinson 25'Williamson 85'McGivern 87' |
Stadium: Bolitho Park Attendance: 565 |
| 23 July 2014 Friendly | Bodmin Town | 1–4 | Port Vale | Bodmin |
| 19:30 BST | Shepherd 74' |
Report | Birchall 2' Williamson 11'Daniel 40'Marshall 81' |
Stadium: Priory Park Referee: Andrew Quinn |
| 26 July 2014 Friendly | Tiverton Town | 1–1 | Port Vale | Tiverton, Devon |
| 15:00 BST | Mudge 11' |
Report | Williamson 83' |
Stadium: Ladysmead |
| 30 July 2014 Friendly | Port Vale | 1–2 | Bolton Wanderers | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | Pope 84' |
Report | Mills 7' Beckford 77' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,780 |
| 2 August 2014 Friendly | Southport | 4–2 | Port Vale | Southport |
| 15:00 BST | Brodie 13' Brogan 51' (pen.) Foster 60' Joyce 90' |
Report | Foster 64' (og.) Williamson 68' |
Stadium: Haig Avenue Attendance: 514 |
| 5 August 2014 Friendly | Port Vale | 3–2 | West Bromwich Albion | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | Williamson 19' Pope 27' Dawson 85' (og.) |
Report | Roofe 4' Garmston 49' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,145 Referee: Rob Lewis |
Football League One
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 62 | 75 | −13 | 56 |
| 17 | Coventry City | 46 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 49 | 60 | −11 | 55 |
| 18 | Port Vale | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 55 | 65 | −10 | 54 |
| 19 | Colchester United | 46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 58 | 77 | −19 | 52 |
| 20 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 43 | 75 | −32 | 52 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results by matchday
Matches
| 9 August 2014 1 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Walsall | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Pope 25' |
Report | Bradshaw 59' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 7,050 Referee: Darren Bond Assistant referees: David Benton, Peter Gooch Fourth official: Kevin Morris |
| 16 August 2014 2 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–3 | Port Vale | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST | Bennett 74' |
Report | Williamson 27' Pope 39' Dickinson 41' |
Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 6,437 Referee: Geoff Eltringham Assistant referees: William Smallwood, Darren Strain Fourth official: Ricky Wootton |
| 19 August 2014 3 | Oldham Athletic | 1–1 | Port Vale | Oldham |
| 19:45 BST | Wilson 64' |
Report | Pope 8' |
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 3,592 Referee: Kevin Wright Assistant referees: Matthew Parry, Stephen Wade Fourth official: Philip Dermott |
| 23 August 2014 4 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Notts County | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Jones 11' Noble 87' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,090 Referee: Mark Brown Assistant referees: Michael Denton, Wayne Grunnill Fourth official: Michael Bull |
| 30 August 2014 5 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Marshall 41' |
Report | Doyle 9' Roberts 46' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: Jeremy Simpson Referee: 5,593 Assistant referees: Nick Hobbis, Timothy Wood Fourth official: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua |
| 6 September 2014 6 | Peterborough United | 3–1 | Port Vale | Peterborough |
| 15:00 BST | Maddison 30' Vassell 72' Payne 79' |
Report | Slew 83' |
Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 6,024 Referee: James Linington Assistant referees: Stuart Eagland, Keith Lawson Fourth official: John Farries |
| 13 September 2014 7 | Crewe Alexandra | 2–1 | Port Vale | Crewe |
| 15:00 BST | Ray 6' Oliver 19' |
Report | Slew 32' |
Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 6,357 Referee: Simon Hooper Assistant referees: Joe Clark, Anthony Tankard Fourth official: David Plowright |
| 16 September 2014 8 | Port Vale | 0–3 | Bristol City | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Wilbraham 13', 61' Flint 48' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,050 Referee: Andy Woolmer Assistant referees: Ian Dudley, Paul Graham Fourth official: Danny Gratton |
| 20 September 2014 9 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Barnsley | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | O'Connor 24' Marshall 89' |
Report | Hourihane 59' (pen.) |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,415 Referee: Dean Whitestone Assistant referees: Philip Dermott, Robert Jones Fourth official: Steven Copeland |
| 27 September 2014 10 | Bradford City | 1–1 | Port Vale | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Yeates 45+3' |
Report | Lines 12' (pen.) |
Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 12,703 Referee: Seb Stockbridge Assistant referees: Barry Gordon, Stephen Wade Fourth official: Paul Cook |
| 4 October 2014 11 | Fleetwood Town | 1–0 | Port Vale | Fleetwood |
| 15:00 BST | Dobbie 80' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Highbury Stadium Attendance: 4,196 Referee: Kevin Johnson Assistant referees: Christopher Akers, Ben Toner Fourth official: Andy Scregg |
| 11 October 2014 12 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Yeovil Town | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Pope 18', 29' Lines 46' Daniel 90' |
Report | Martin 86' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,798 Referee: Darren Handley Assistant referees: Bob Roberts, James Wilson Fourth official: Gary Hilton |
| 18 October 2014 13 | Preston North End | 2–0 | Port Vale | Preston, Lancashire |
| 15:00 BST | Gallagher 42' Browne 81' |
Report | Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 9,381 Referee: Mick Russell Assistant referees: Nicholas Barnard, Alf Greenwood Fourth official: Paul Kettlewell |
| 21 October 2014 14 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | Williamson 7' Birchall 70' |
Report | Bishop 4' Taylor 79' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,590 Referee: James Adcock Assistant referees: Stuart Eagland, Nigel Smith Fourth official: Michael D'Aguilar |
| 25 October 2014 15 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Leyton Orient | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Yates 63' Williamson 66' Clarke 81' (og.) |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,773 Referee: Lee Collins Assistant referees: Robert Atkin, Mark Griffiths Fourth official: Michael Hanley |
| 1 November 2014 16 | Colchester United | 1–2 | Port Vale | Colchester |
| 15:00 GMT | Sears 79' |
Report | Marshall 56' Daniel 60' |
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 3,571 Referee: Trevor Kettle Assistant referees: Darren Blunden, Ian Fissenden Fourth official: Elliott Kaye |
| 15 November 2014 17 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Rochdale | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Brown 64' |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,043 Referee: Graham Horwood Assistant referees: Richard Bartlett, Mark Russell Fourth official: James Adcock |
| 22 November 2014 18 | Milton Keynes Dons | 1–0 | Port Vale | Milton Keynes |
| 15:00 GMT | Baker 3' |
Report | Stadium: Stadium MK Attendance: 12,007 Referee: Gary Sutton Assistant referees: Steven Meredith, Anthony Tankard Fourth official: Darren Deadman |
| 29 November 2014 19 | Gillingham | 2–2 | Port Vale | Gillingham, Kent |
| 15:00 GMT | Egan 29', 55' |
Report | N'Guessan 18' Brown 90+4' |
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 4,799 Referee: Brendan Malone Assistant referees: David Avent, Adrian Sannerude Fourth official: Alan Dale |
| 13 December 2014 20 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Coventry City | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Johnson 57' Madine 90+5' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,321 Referee: Mark Heywood Assistant referees: Peter Gooch, Guy Stretton Fourth official: Nick Hobbis |
| 20 December 2014 21 | Crawley Town | 1–2 | Port Vale | Crawley |
| 15:00 GMT | Henderson 88' |
Report | Brown 30' Dodds 42' |
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 2,320 Referee: Tim Robinson Assistant referees: Nick Kinseley, Rob Smith Fourth official: Gavin Muge |
| 26 December 2014 22 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Sheffield United | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Williamson 16' N'Guessan |
Report | Campbell-Ryce 55' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 8,524 Referee: Stuart Attwell Assistant referees: Matthew Corlett, Anthony Tankard Fourth official: Robert Atkin |
| 28 December 2014 23 | Swindon Town | 1–0 | Port Vale | Swindon |
| 15:00 GMT | Williams 56' |
Report | Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 9,248 Referee: Darren Sheldrake Assistant referees: Stephen Daly, Brian Durie Fourth official: Marvyn Amphlett |
| 3 January 2015 24 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Gillingham | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Williamson 11' Daniel 90+3' |
Report | McDonald 31' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,783 Referee: Fred Graham Assistant referees: Mark Griffiths, David Plowright Fourth official: Nigel Smith |
| 10 January 2015 25 | Chesterfield | 3–0 | Port Vale | Chesterfield, Derbyshire |
| 15:00 GMT | Gnanduillet 13' Doyle 60' (pen.) Raglan 70' |
Report | Stadium: Proact Stadium Attendance: 7,034 Referee: Darren Bond Assistant referees: Christopher Akers, Mark Howes Fourth official: Joe Clark |
| 17 January 2015 26 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Peterborough United | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Birchall 32' Williamson 47' |
Report | Washington 21' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,446 Referee: Carl Berry Assistant referees: David Benton, Michael Hanley Fourth official: David Plowright |
| 24 January 2015 27 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Crewe Alexandra | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Ajose 39' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 8,002 Referee: Gavin Ward Assistant referees: Ian Dudley, Stephen Ross Fourth official: Steven Copeland |
| 31 January 2015 28 | Barnsley | 2–1 | Port Vale | Barnsley |
| 15:00 GMT | Neal 45+2' (og.) Pearson 47' |
Report | Daniel 66' |
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 8,660 Referee: Graham Salisbury Assistant referees: Richard Bartlett, Stephen Wade Fourth official: Paul Marsden |
| 7 February 2015 29 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Bradford City | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Campion 58' O'Connor 90+4' |
Report | Hanson 41' Morais 65' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,205 Referee: Michael Bull Assistant referees: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua, Bob Roberts Fourth official: Jonathan Hunt |
| 10 February 2015 30 | Bristol City | 3–1 | Port Vale | Ashton Gate, Bristol |
| 19:45 GMT | Emmanuel-Thomas 34' Bryan 59' Smith 67' |
Report | Marshall 77' |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 10,891 Referee: Brendan Malone Assistant referees: Brett Huxtable, Adam Matthews Fourth official: Justin Amey |
| 14 February 2015 31 | Walsall | 0–1 | Port Vale | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Pope 28' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,504 Referee: Andy D'Urso Assistant referees: Declan Ford, Geoff Law Fourth official: Paul Thompson |
| 21 February 2015 32 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Doncaster Rovers | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Marshall 7' Veseli 38' Moore 87' |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,713 Referee: Keith Stroud Assistant referees: Ryan Johnson, Paul Rees Fourth official: Andy Scregg |
| 28 February 2015 33 | Notts County | 0–1 | Port Vale | Nottingham |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Marshall 7' |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 5,179 Referee: Darren Drysdale Assistant referees: Mathew Buonassisi, Nick Hobbis Fourth official: Ian Rathbone |
| 3 March 2015 34 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Oldham Athletic | Burslem |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Jones 42' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,423 Referee: David Webb Assistant referees: Christopher Akers, James Mainwaring Fourth official: Wayne Barratt |
| 7 March 2015 35 | Coventry City | 2–3 | Port Vale | Coventry |
| 15:00 GMT | O'Brien 4' Odelusi 70' |
Report | Pope 40' Marshall 45' O'Connor 76' |
Stadium: Ricoh Arena Attendance: 9,446 Referee: Mick Russell Assistant referees: Christopher Powell, Richard Wigglesworth Fourth official: Mark Haywood |
| 14 March 2015 36 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Swindon Town | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Rossi Branco 8' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,120 Referee: Andy Madley Assistant referees: Barry Cropp, Steven Meredith Fourth official: Matthew Parry |
| 17 March 2015 37 | Port Vale | 2–3 | Crawley Town | Burslem |
| 19:45 GMT | Dodds 4', 45' |
Report | Wordsworth 43' McLeod 56' Wood 69' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,852 Referee: Kevin Wright Assistant referees: Kevin Mattocks, David Storrie Fourth official: Mark Dwyer |
| 21 March 2015 38 | Sheffield United | 1–0 | Port Vale | Sheffield |
| 15:00 GMT | Baxter 29' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 18,729 Referee: Jeremy Simpson Assistant referees: Robert Merchant, Stephen Wade Fourth official: Robert Atkin |
| 28 March 2015 39 | Leyton Orient | 3–1 | Port Vale | Leyton, East London |
| 15:00 GMT | Mooney 55' (pen.) Collins 61' (og.) Cox 84' |
Report | Birchall 28' |
Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 5,623 Referee: Darren Handley Assistant referees: Nicholas Cooper, Christopher O'Donnell Fourth official: Ian Fissenden |
| 3 April 2015 40 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Colchester United | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Dodds 84' |
Report | Moncur 57' Murphy 77' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,471 Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistant referees: Mark Griffiths, William Smallwood Fourth official: Matthew Jones |
| 6 April 2015 41 | Rochdale | 1–0 | Port Vale | Rochdale |
| 15:00 BST | Andrew 90+4' |
Report | Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,948 Referee: Andy Haines Assistant referees: Alix Pashley, Neil Sharp Fourth official: Bob Roberts |
| 11 April 2015 42 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Milton Keynes Dons | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,379 Referee: Nigel Miller Assistant referees: Matthew Bristow, Declan Ford Fourth official: Paul Thompson |
| 14 April 2015 43 | Scunthorpe United | 1–1 | Port Vale | Scunthorpe |
| 19:45 BST | Wootton 90+5' |
Report | Duffy 43' |
Stadium: Glanford Park Attendance: 3,002 Referee: Trevor Kettle Assistant referees: Graeme Fyvie, Nick Greenhalgh Fourth official: Paul Graham |
| 17 April 2015 44 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Preston North End | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | O'Connor 52' (pen.), 85' (pen.) |
Report | Johnson 12' Garner 59' (pen.) |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 7,210 Referee: Richard Clark Assistant referees: Marvyn Amphlett, Nick Gibbons Fourth official: Jason Tyas |
| 25 April 2015 45 | Yeovil Town | 1–2 | Port Vale | Yeovil |
| 15:00 BST | Ugwu 80' |
Report | Pope 13' Brown 82' |
Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 4,127 Referee: Graham Scott Assistant referees: Andrew Laver, Steven Plane Fourth official: Mark Pottage |
FA Cup
League Cup
| 12 August 2014 R1 | Port Vale | 6–2 | Hartlepool United | Burslem |
| 19:45 BST | Williamson 8', 14', 18' Brown 62' Pope 74', 84' |
Report | Franks 10' Austin 59', pen.' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,824 Referee: Graham Scott |
Football League Trophy
| 7 October 2014 R2 | Preston North End | 3–2 | Port Vale | Preston |
| 19:45 BST | Humphrey 13' Garner 63' Gallagher 69' |
Report | Pope 51', 89' |
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 3,836 Referee: Peter Bankes |
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
- Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK |  ENG |
Chris Neal | 43 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG |
Adam Yates | 28 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG |
Carl Dickinson | 46 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF |  SCO |
Chris Robertson | 26 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF |  NIR |
Ryan McGivern | 23 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF |  WAL |
Richard Duffy | 29 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF |  TRI |
Chris Birchall | 30 | 3 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | FW | ENG |
Louis Dodds | 41 | 4 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG |
Ben Williamson | 47 | 9 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG |
Chris Lines | 31 | 2 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | ENG |
Tom Pope | 37 | 12 | 34 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 12 | GK | ENG |
Sam Johnson | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ENG |
Colin Daniel | 30 | 4 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | NIR |
Michael O'Connor | 47 | 7 | 44 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | SCO |
Neill Collins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | ENG |
Michael Brown | 39 | 6 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | WAL |
Tommy O'Sullivan | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | ENG |
Byron Moore | 18 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | MF |  JAM |
Mark Marshall | 49 | 7 | 46 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF |  ALB |
Frédéric Veseli | 38 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | ENG |
Ryan Lloyd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | ENG |
Ryan Boot | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | ENG |
Nathan Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF |  SEN |
Mohamed Coulibaly | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | FW |  LBR |
Alex Nimely | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | MF |  GHA |
Enoch Andoh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | FW |  FRA |
Achille Campion | 12 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | WAL |
Kaid Mohamed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | MF |  POR |
Francisco Júnior | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | DF |  SLE |
Aziz Deen-Conteh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players who featured but departed the club during the season: | |||||||||||||
| 16 | DF |  GUY |
Reiss Greenidge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | FW | ENG |
Greg Luer | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | ENG |
Steve Jennings | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | FW | ENG |
Jordan Slew | 8 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | ENG |
Remie Streete | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW |  SKN |
Harry Panayiotou | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF |  GLP |
Stéphane Zubar | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | FRA |
Dany N'Guessan | 12 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | DF | ENG |
Ryan Inniss | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top scorers
| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | England | 11 | Tom Pope | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 2 | FW | England | 9 | Ben Williamson | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | MF | Jamaica | 20 | Mark Marshall | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| – | MF | Northern Ireland | 15 | Michael O'Connor | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 5 | MF | England | 17 | Michael Brown | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | MF | England | 14 | Colin Daniel | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| – | FW | England | 8 | Louis Dodds | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| – | FW | France | 33 | Dany N'Guessan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | MF | Trinidad | 7 | Chris Birchall | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | MF | England | 10 | Chris Lines | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | England | 25 | Jordan Slew | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | FW | France | 28 | Achille Campion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | England | 3 | Carl Dickinson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | Wales | 6 | Richard Duffy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | 19 | Byron Moore | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | Albania | 21 | Frédéric Veseli | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | England | 2 | Adam Yates | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | Own goals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| TOTALS | 55 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 68 | ||||
Disciplinary record
| Number | Nation | Position | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | |||||
 |
 |
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|
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| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wales | DF | Richard Duffy | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 17 | England | MF | Michael Brown | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 1 | England | GK | Chris Neal | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 10 | England | MF | Chris Lines | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 32 | Guadeloupe | DF | Stéphane Zubar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | England | FW | Jordan Slew | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | England | DF | Carl Dickinson | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 15 | Northern Ireland | MF | Michael O'Connor | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 8 | England | FW | Louis Dodds | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 5 | Northern Ireland | DF | Ryan McGivern | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | England | FW | Tom Pope | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 21 | Albania | DF | Frédéric Veseli | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 33 | England | DF | Ryan Inniss | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 20 | Jamaica | MF | Mark Marshall | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Scotland | DF | Chris Robertson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | Trinidad | MF | Chris Birchall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | Scotland | DF | Neill Collins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | England | MF | Colin Daniel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 33 | England | MF | Francisco Júnior | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | England | MF | Steve Jennings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | England | FW | Ben Williamson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTALS | 79 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 85 | 6 | |||
Sourced from Soccerway.[114]
Awards
| End of Season Awards | Winner[115] |
|---|---|
| Player of the Year | Michael O'Connor |
| Away Travel Player of the Year | Mark Marshall |
| Supporters' Club's Trophy | Michael O'Connor |
| Players' Player of the Year | Michael O'Connor |
| Youth Player of the Year | Jonny Kapend |
| Goal of the Season | Michael O'Connor (vs Cardiff City, 26 August 2014) |
Transfers
Transfers in
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Transfers out
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Loans in
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Loans out
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