2017–18 Port Vale F.C. season

EFL League Two

Despite being unable to prevent relegation as caretaker manager the previous season, Michael Brown was confirmed as the club's new permanent manager in May 2017; incumbent assistants David "Ned" Kelly and Chris Morgan also retained their positions, as did chief scout Darren Wrack. Brown said that the budget available left him with "a good chance of gaining promotion". His first summer signing was former two-time Player of the Year Tom Pope on a free transfer after he managed to secure his release from Bury.^[3] He made his second signing four weeks later, goalkeeper Rob Lainton, who also arrived on a free transfer from Bury. Also arriving were Colombian winger Cristian Montaño, released from Bristol Rovers, and former Vale youth team centre-back Joe Davis, on a free transfer from Fleetwood Town, and 22-year-old Burton Albion goalkeeper Sam Hornby.^[4] These signings were quickly followed by the arrival of 19-year-old Sheffield United left-back Graham Kelly.^[5] A third Bury player also arrived in the form of 34-year-old centre-back Antony Kay, a veteran of over 600 professional matches.^[6] However, Brown also revealed that defender Kjell Knops had picked up an infection in his knee and missed the entire season after undergoing surgery.^[7]

Heading into July, Brown brought in target man striker Tyrone Barnett on a free transfer from AFC Wimbledon.^[8] He took on a wide variety of players on trial, including: Danny Green, Neal Eardley, Michael Tonge, Gavin Gunning, Billy Whitehouse, Tom Walker, Gaetan Lenoir, and Nicolas Guidicelli. He signed 19-year-old Huddersfield Town striker Rekeil Pyke on a season-long loan.^[9] As last season's captain Ben Purkiss rejected a new contract offer, Brown signed right-back Lawrie Wilson on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers to replace him.^[10] Having decided against signing one of the wingers on trial, Brown instead brought in Burton Albion's Marcus Harness on a season-long loan. On the same day that Barnett was revealed to have suffered a serious hamstring tear, the club announced that trialist centre-back Gavin Gunning had signed a contract of undisclosed-length.^[11][12] The day before the opening game of the season, Brown secured veteran trialist midfielder Michael Tonge to a one-year deal, and also brought in 21-year-old winger Ben Whitfield on a half-season loan from AFC Bournemouth.^[13]

Brown played eight débutantes at Crawley Town on 5 August, and it was two of these, Kay and Tonge, who scored the opening goals of a 3–1 victory, finished off with a first league goal for Dan Turner. Two days later Brown signed 21-year-old left-back Tyler Denton on a season-long loan from Leeds United.^[14] Adebayo Akinfenwa put Wycombe Wanderers ahead within two minutes of the opening home game of the season at Vale Park on 12 August, and by the 25-minute mark he had scored the opposition's final goal of a 3–2 defeat for the "Valiants".^[15] In the week following the defeat to Wycombe, both Anton Forrester and Danny Pugh were ruled out of action for three to four months, and Brown signed 20-year-old Sheffield Wednesday winger Jack Stobbs on a season-long loan.^[16][17] The match at Chesterfield was declared "Ernie Moss Day" in tribute to the legend of both clubs, but another poor performance saw Vale slip to a 2–0 defeat to a side that had previously failed to pick up a point.^[18] Fans booed the team and turned on the manager, chanting 'You don't know what you're doing'.^[19] In the week building up to the local derby with Crewe Alexandra, Brown signed highly rated midfielder David Worrall.^[20] Worrall made his debut against Crewe, but it was midfield partner Michael Tonge who made the headlines for the wrong reasons, as he was sent off four minutes after Crewe's Chris Dagnall scored the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark; Brown said that Tonge was unlucky to be sent off and he was proud of his team's performance.^[21] On the final day before the summer transfer window closed, Brown signed Burnley centre-back Tom Anderson on a season-long loan and Doncaster Rovers central midfielder Harry Middleton on a free transfer.^[22]

Vale fell to 23rd-place at the beginning of September with a 1–0 home defeat to Notts County; Brown said his team were "sucker punched, against the run of play".^[23] Seven days later Tyrone Barnett returned from injury to make his Vale debut at Coventry City, however, goalkeeper Lainton picked up an injury as Vale fell to rock bottom of the Football League with a 1–0 defeat despite playing against ten-men for the closing stages of the game; the injury-list now included Lainton, Pugh, Montaño, Forrester, Pyke, Knops, with Tonge suspended.^[24] A sixth consecutive league loss followed in a 2–0 defeat at Luton Town, which was also the sixth-successive game in all competitions in which Vale had failed to score a goal – a club record.^[25] Chief Executive Colin Garlick said the club had not set any ultimatum to Brown for the home game with second-from-bottom Forest Green Rovers on 16 September.^[26] Brown signed Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos on an emergency loan and played him against Forest Green.^[27] Turner broke Vale's barren spell against Forest Green, scoring his third of the campaign in a rare start, but Rovers made three early substitutions and came back into the game to force a 1–1 draw which kept Vale bottom of the table; despite this Brown was confident he would still be in charge of the club for the following match.^[28] His confidence was misplaced however, as he was sacked shortly after the match; his assistants, David "Ned" Kelly and Chris Morgan were placed in charge of the club on an interim basis.^[1] They first took charge for the trip to Yeovil Town on 23 September, and were on the way to a 1–0 win when an error from Roos gifted Yeovil an equaliser; Vale ended up holding on to a 1–1 draw after James Gibbons marked his league debut with a sending off for two yellow cards.^[29] Three days later they took the lead at home to high-flying Accrington Stanley, but fell to a 2–1 defeat after a Billy Kee brace either side of half-time.^[30] The run of poor form continued with a 2–0 defeat at Stevenage.^[31] Meanwhile, the search for a new manager dragged on, as Smurthwaite ruled out National League managers John Askey and Neil Aspin, stating that the list of prospective names had been narrowed down to three 'exceptional' candidates.^[32]

Despite previously being ruled out by Smurthwaite, Gateshead manager Neil Aspin was installed as Port Vale manager on 4 October, advised by former manager John Rudge in a director of football role.^[2] Three days later his new team got off to an excellent start at home to Grimsby Town as they were leading 1–0 at half-time with a Tom Pope goal, but then a second-half turnaround saw them lose the match 2–1 and slip back into the relegation zone.^[33] Aspin managed a victory in his second game though, with Pope scoring a brace in a 3–1 home win over Cheltenham Town.^[34] Aspin went on to name Danny Pugh as the club's new captain, ahead of the dropped Antony Kay.^[35] Vale then recorded a 3–0 win at Morecambe, with Pope again scoring a brace and Montaño marking his return to action with his first goal for the club.^[36] Pope again scored at third-placed Exeter City to give Vale a 1–0 victory in blustery conditions.^[37] Following an injury to Roos, Aspin acted swiftly to sign the big Bulgarian goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov on loan from Nottingham Forest, who started immediately in the 3–0 home defeat to Swindon Town.^[38][39] Aspin said he was "very disappointed about the whole goalkeeping situation".^[40] Aspin went on to be nominated for the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award and Pope was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award, after three wins in five games and five goals and one assist for Pope.^[41]

Going into November, Aspin signed 20-year box-to-box midfielder Chris Regis, who had previously entered non-League football after spending time on the books at Arsenal, Southampton and Colchester United.^[42] Vale then travelled to Newport County, and returned home with a point after coming back from 1–0 down, Anton Forrester scoring with his first league appearance of the campaign.^[43] Fellow relegation battlers Barnet arrived in Burslem on 18 November, and Vale claimed a hard-fought victory after Pope converted a late penalty won by Gibbons.^[44] This was Port Vale's first penalty since 20 January.^[45] However, three days later the Vale fell to a 4–0 defeat at home to Mansfield Town, though Aspin said his team worked hard and the scoreline was not a fair reflection on the game.^[46] They then suffered a 3–1 defeat away to Lincoln City, having looked second best to the National League champions for most of the match; Aspin said the performance was not good enough.^[47] Also in November, long-serving full-back Adam Yates returned from a loan spell at Macclesfield Town only to suffer extensive facial injuries in a collision with Hornby in a reserve team match; despite his injury and in light of his service to the club, Yates was given a contract extension to keep him on until the end of the season.^[48] However, he went on to announce his retirement from playing in March.^[49]

Aspin paid tribute to supporters who helped clear snow off the pitch before an important 2–0 home win over Cambridge United on 9 December; Montaño scored both of the goals either side of half-time, helping to put an end to the team's recent run of bad results.^[50] They continued their good form under Aspin with a 2–1 victory at Carlisle United, as he changed tactics with the scores at 0–0 after sensing the hosts were there to be beaten.^[51] The following week the club and Aspin agreed on a new two-and-a-half-year contract.^[52] The team celebrated by securing a useful point at play-off hopefuls Colchester United, coming from a goal down at half-time to draw the game 1–1.^[53] Nathan Smith then scored the only goal of the Boxing day game with play-off chasing Coventry City.^[54] They ended the year in style with a 4–0 home victory over league leaders Luton, which left them ten points clear of the relegation zone and nine points off the play-offs; "Hatters" boss Nathan Jones said that "they were better than us all over the park. They got second balls, they outworked us, we didn't handle Pope all afternoon and we got what we deserved."^[55] Aspin was nominated for that month's EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, though lost out to Danny Cowley at Lincoln City.^[56]

Vale opened the New Year with a 1–0 defeat at second-placed Notts County, and though Aspin was pleased with his players he was highly critical of the referee for his award of a late penalty, calling it "a really bad decision".^[57] Earlier in the day he made his second signing as manager, bringing in striker Dior Angus from non-League Redditch United.^[58] Meanwhile, Gavin Gunning left the club on the expiry of his contract, whilst Jack Stobbs, Rekeil Pyke and Tyler Denton returned to their parent clubs.^[59][60][61] In contrast, Whitfield's loan was extended until the end of the season.^[62] Gunning made his debut for Forest Green on 6 January, and kept a clean sheet as Rovers beat the Vale 1–0 with a goal from fellow débutante Reuben Reid; Aspin apologized to supporters after the match for the team's performance.^[63] Aspin went on to allow Lawrie Wilson to join National League side Ebbsfleet United after the full-back failed to make the first-team under his tenure.^[64] He also agreed to terminate the contract of French midfielder Anthony de Freitas, whilst bringing in striker Donovan Wilson on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.^[65][66] Vale put in a poor performance at home to Yeovil, though did claim a 1–1 draw after Pope converted a late penalty.^[67] Aspin went on to sign midfielder Luke Hannant from Gateshead for an undisclosed fee, having previously signed the 24-year-old from Team Northumbria in 2016.^[68] He also boosted the defensive numbers by bringing in centre-back Zak Jules on loan from Shrewsbury Town.^[69] Hannant made his debut at Accrington Stanley on 20 January, a game in which Vale led 2–0 at half-time only to lose 3–2; Aspin went on to criticise both the referee for failing to spot a handball for Accrington's equaliser and also his team for poor defending.^[70] Jules made his debut and Lainton returned to the starting eleven for the visit of Colchester on 27 January, and Vale managed to secure a 2–2 draw despite a poor performance thanks to a brace from Worrall.^[71] A surprise departure was then announced, as Anderson was recalled early from his loan spell by Burnley.^[72] Aspin responded quickly by signing former youth-team centre-back Charlie Raglan on loan from Oxford United, 21-year-old defender Kyle Howkins on loan from West Bromwich Albion and 23-year-old defender Callum Howe for an undisclosed fee from Lincoln City.^[73][74][75]

Raglan started at home to struggling Morecambe on 3 February and helped the defence to keep a clean sheet in a dour 0–0 draw.^[76] However, they then conceded five at Cheltenham Town, including a hat-trick from Mohamed Eisa, after long spells of defensive errors.^[77] Tonge opened the scoring at Swindon on 17 February, but defensive and goalkeeping errors from the returning Ryan Boot ended up costing the team a 3–2 defeat, with former player Marc Richards scoring a brace.^[78] Vale then kept a clean sheet at home to Newport County, but played poorly and only picked up a point whilst relegation rivals Chesterfield, Barnet, Forest Green, Crewe Alex and Morecambe all gained three points.^[79]

Without a win since 2017, Vale then lost top-scorer Tom Pope for the month of March after he was forced to undergo an operation to repair a hernia.^[80] Grimsby Town were in even worse form however, and on 10 March Vale seemed to be on their way to a vital 1–0 away win despite missing a penalty; however, a stoppage-time equaliser from James Berrett extended Vale's winless streak and instigated a pitch invasion and punch-up from amongst the away end.^[81] They then faced a hastily rearranged trip to bottom club Barnet three days later, and salvaged a 1–1 draw after Forrester capitalised on a goalkeeping error.^[82] Vale went on to come from two goals down at Stevenage to salvage a point, Wilson and Hannant scoring their first goals for the club, to maintain a healthy seven point gap with the relegation zone with only nine games left to play.^[83] Despite a decent performance, they failed to extend this gap after losing 1–0 at home to promotion-chasing Exeter.^[84] Vale went on to gain a useful point with a hard-working performance during a 0–0 draw at third-place Wycombe; Boot's performance in goal earned him a place on the EFL Team of the Week.^[85][86] They hosted 23rd-placed Chesterfield in a crucial game on Good Friday, and Pugh went from hero to villain on the cusp of half-time as he scored the opening goal and then got sent off for a studs up challenge two minutes later to leave his teammates to defend their 1–0 lead with ten men over the course of the second half; Vale did concede an equaliser, before substitute Whitfield won the game late on with an excellent strike.^[87]

Vale took the short trip to Crewe on 2 April and started poorly after an error from Boot gifted Ryan Wintle the opening goal on seven minutes, but they equalised before half-time with a penalty against the run of play; Kay seemed to have scored the winning goal from long-range on 71 minutes, but a stoppage-time equaliser from Charlie Kirk denied Vale the three points.^[88] Five days later Vale lost 2–1 at home to Crawley after Smith gave away a penalty and scored an own goal, though the penalty decision of referee Mike Jones was highly contentious; Aspin called the referee's performance 'diabolical'.^[89] Newly crowned EFL Trophy champions Lincoln visited Vale Park on 14 April, and Vale all but secured their safety on that day after Kay scored the winner on 63 minutes.^[90] Vale set up defensively at Mansfield and managed to rescue a point after a late equalising goal from Pope cancelled out a clumsy own goal; after match Aspin summarised the season by saying that "I think they have done well, from the position they were in, to getting to safety."^[91] Angus scored on his home debut on 28 April, but this was not enough to prevent the final match of the season at Vale Park being a 2–1 defeat to Carlisle United, much to Aspin's disappointment.^[92]

Vale ended their league campaign with a 5–0 defeat at Cambridge United, leaving them in 20th place – the joint-lowest finish in the club's history (the other being the 1979–80 season).^[93] At the end of the season Aspin released ten players – Chris Regis, Ryan Boot, Luke Dennis, Anton Forrester, Graham Kelly, Kjell Knops, Harry Middleton, Billy Reeves, Joe Slinn and Charlie Walford – and transfer-listed Tyrone Barnett, Joe Davis, Callum Howe and Rob Lainton, as he attempted to build his own squad for the 2018–19 season.^[94]

Finances & ownership issues

Norman Smurthwaite resigned as chairman at the end of the 2016–17 season, and 67-year-old former British Rail manager and lifelong Vale supporter Tony Fradley was unveiled as his successor, though Smurthwaite remained as owner.^[95] Following relegation, season ticket prices were cut by £50 to £295 with under-12s allowed in for free. The new shirt sponsors were the manorshop.com, owned by Kidsgrove businessman Kevin Jones, who had made a failed attempt to buy the club in May 2017. Speaking in August, Smurthwaite said that the wage budget was 20% higher than the previous season due to the extra money raised from the sales of Jak Alnwick and Anthony Grant in January 2017.^[96] The club took out £50,000 in 'promotion insurance', which would cover the cost in bonuses should the club achieve promotion at the end of the season.^[97] On 31 January 2018, the sale of Jordan Hugill from Preston North End to West Ham United gained Vale around £1.8 million thanks to a 20% sell on clause negotiated by Micky Adams following his departure from Vale Park in 2014.^[98]

Smurthwaite attended the Port Vale Supporters Club meeting in March and stated that the club was losing around £150,000 a month, that the playing budget was £1.6 million (he believed this to be a top ten League Two budget), that he would only sell to the right buyer and would not be publicly naming his asking price, that when he took over the club the Football League appointed Karl Oyston as his mentor, and he challenged the fans to raise £800,000 among themselves (£270 each for the club's 3,000 hardcore supporters) to fund the club throughout the summer in a "positive way of demonstrating to me that you don't want me".^[99]

Cup competitions

Vale had a difficult tie at home to EFL League One side Oxford United in the first round of the FA Cup, but proved to be the superior side on the night as they progressed with a 2−0 win thanks to goals from Gunning and Pope.^[100] A home tie with Yeovil Town awaited in the second round, and for the first time since 20 January 1982 Staffordshire Police granted the club permission to play a home tie at the same date and time as Stoke City.^[101] Despite a poor first half Vale seemed to have the game won thanks to a Tom Pope header, but the team switched off defensively to allow substitute Jordan Green to score a last-minute equaliser and take the game to a replay.^[102] The game at Huish Park proved eventful, as red cards for Montaño and Gibbons did not prevent the Vale from twice equalising the match before eventually losing 3–2 after extra time; Harness had scored his first goal for the club to take the game into extra-time in style with a long-range shot, but his effort was upstaged by Kay, who scored the "goal of his life" with a stunning long-range lob.^[103] Aspin was highly critical of referee Gavin Ward, particularly for his decision to both issue a penalty and send off Montaño for a "soft" challenge.^[104]

Vale were drawn away to EFL Championship club Leeds United in the first round of the EFL Cup.^[105] Before the match Brown spoke of his pride at managing against former club Leeds. He named another former Leeds player, Danny Pugh, as captain for the night.^[106] However, the match ended on a sour note as Brown accused hat-trick hero Samuel Sáiz of spitting at Davis just before half-time, and Gunning was sent off as Vale fell to a 4–1 defeat.^[107]

Vale were drawn into EFL Trophy Northern Group D, alongside Oldham Athletic, Newcastle United Academy, and local rivals Crewe Alexandra. They began the group with their solitary away game, playing out a 0–0 draw with League One side Oldham at Boundary Park, before they managed to pick up two points after winning the resulting penalty shoot-out.^[108] Vale then recorded a 1–0 victory over the Newcastle United Academy in front of a first-team record low crowd at Vale Park of 824.^[109] The game against already eliminated Crewe was largely inconsequential but proved to be an entertaining one as Regis marked his debut with a goal in a 4–2 win.^[110] League One high-flyers Shrewsbury Town came to Burslem in the second round. Vale sensed an upset after Montaño scored in the first minute, but former Valiant Louis Dodds initiated a second-half comeback to eliminate Vale from the competition.^[111]

Pre-season

Kidsgrove Athletic v Port Vale

8 July 2017 Friendly	Kidsgrove Athletic	0–6	Port Vale	Kidsgrove
15:00 BST		Report	Barnett 5', 13' Pyke 48', 69' Pope Montaño 85'	Stadium: The Novus Stadium Attendance: 1,473

Newcastle Town v Port Vale

11 July 2017 Friendly	Newcastle Town	0–8	Port Vale	Newcastle-under-Lyme
19:30 BST		Report	Montaño 34' Walker 45' De Freitas 46', 76' Green 54', 72' Pyke 55', 88'	Stadium: Lyme Valley Stadium Attendance: 709

Buxton v Port Vale

15 July 2017 Friendly	Buxton	1–1	Port Vale	Buxton
13:30 BST	Hardy 37'	Report	Pyke 54'	Stadium: The Silverlands Attendance: 514

Port Vale v Derby County

18 July 2017 Friendly	Port Vale	0–1	Derby County	Burslem
19:45 BST		Report	Bent 51' (pen.)	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,657

Chester v Port Vale

29 July 2017 Friendly	Chester	1–1	Port Vale	Chester
15:00 BST	Bell 68'	Report	Pyke 61'	Stadium: Deva Stadium Attendance: 1,027

Port Vale v West Bromwich Albion

1 August 2017 Friendly	Port Vale	1–1	West Bromwich Albion	Burslem
19:30 BST	Pope 86'	Report	Robson-Kanu 43'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,783 Referee: Sarginson

EFL League Two

Matches

Crawley Town v Port Vale

5 August 2017 (2017-08-05) 1	Crawley Town	1–3	Port Vale	Crawley
15:00 BST	Boldewijn 53'	Report	Tonge 9' Kay 26' Turner 82'	Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 2,270 Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistant referees: Michael Webb, Samuel Ogles Fourth official: Andrew Laver

Port Vale v Wycombe Wanderers

12 August 2017 (2017-08-12) 2	Port Vale	2–3	Wycombe Wanderers	Burslem
15:00 BST	Turner 88' Whitfield 90'	Report	Akinfenwa 2', 25' Cowan-Hall 12'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,909 Referee: Craig Hicks Assistant referees: Richard Wild, Joe Simpson Fourth official: Nigel Smith

Chesterfield v Port Vale

19 August 2017 (2017-08-19) 3	Chesterfield	2–0	Port Vale	Chesterfield
15:00 BST	Dennis 38' Sinnott 43'	Report		Stadium: Proact Stadium Attendance: 5,058 Referee: Tom Nield Assistant referees: Richard Bartlett, Danny Gratton Fourth official: Michael Denton

Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra

26 August 2017 (2017-08-26) 4	Port Vale	0–1	Crewe Alexandra	Burslem
15:00 BST		Report	Dagnall 30'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 6,299 Referee: Darren Handley Assistant referees: Christopher Ward, Richard Wigglesworth Fourth official: David Plowright

Port Vale v Notts County

2 September 2017 (2017-09-02) 5	Port Vale	0–1	Notts County	Burslem
15:00 BST		Report	Alessandra 67'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,656 Referee: Robert Lewis Assistant referees: Nicholas Barnard, Christopher Kidd Fourth official: James Wilson

Coventry City v Port Vale

9 September 2017 (2017-09-09) 6	Coventry City	1–0	Port Vale	Coventry
15:00 BST	Jones 24'	Report		Stadium: Ricoh Arena Attendance: 6,951 Referee: Brett Huxtable Assistant referees: Matthew Parry, Ken Haycock Fourth official: Marc Wilson

Luton Town v Port Vale

12 September 2017 (2017-09-12) 7	Luton Town	2–0	Port Vale	Luton
19:45 BST	Whitfield 38' (og.) Stacey 50'	Report		Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 7,046 Referee: David Webb Assistant referees: Andrew Laver, Louis Marks Fourth official: Geoff Russell

Port Vale v Forest Green Rovers

16 September 2017 (2017-09-16) 8	Port Vale	1–1	Forest Green Rovers	Burslem
15:00 BST	Turner 21'	Report	Bugiel 68'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,910 Referee: Martin Coy Assistant referees: Chris Isherwood, Ian Dudley Fourth official: Matthew Jones

Yeovil Town v Port Vale

23 September 2017 (2017-09-23) 9	Yeovil Town	1–1	Port Vale	Yeovil
15:00 BST	Khan 66'	Report	Pope 29'	Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 2,614 Referee: Graham Salisbury Assistant referees: Michael Trevethan, Simon Shaw Fourth official: Mark Pottage

Port Vale v Accrington Stanley

26 September 2017 (2017-09-26) 10	Port Vale	1–2	Accrington Stanley	Burslem
19:45 BST	Worrall 22'	Report	Kee 36', 62'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,360 Referee: Eddie Ilderton Assistant referees: Joe Clark, Peter Gooch, Paul Thompson Fourth official: Craig Taylor

Stevenage v Port Vale

30 September 2017 (2017-09-30) 11	Stevenage	2–0	Port Vale	Stevenage
15:00 BST	Newton 22' Smith 54'	Report		Stadium: Broadhall Way Attendance: 2,678 Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistant referees: Nigel Smith, Daniel Cook Fourth official: Ben Cooke

Port Vale v Grimsby Town

7 October 2017 (2017-10-07) 12	Port Vale	1–2	Grimsby Town	Burslem
15:00 BST	Pope 39'	Report	Jones 51' Dembélé 67'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,849 Referee: Andy Woolmer Assistant referees: Richard Wigglesworth, Barry Cropp Fourth official: Oliver Langford

Port Vale v Cheltenham Town

14 October 2017 (2017-10-14) 13	Port Vale	3–1	Cheltenham Town	Burslem
15:00 BST	Pope 26', 80' Whitfield 61'	Report	Dawson 90+1'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,277 Referee: Scott Oldham Assistant referees: David Plowright, Joe Simpson Fourth official: Matthew Parry

Morecambe v Port Vale

17 October 2017 (2017-10-17) 14	Morecambe	0–3	Port Vale	Morecambe
19:45 BST		Report	Pope 18', 67' Montaño 90+2'	Stadium: Globe Arena Attendance: 1,241 Referee: Ross Joyce Assistant referees: Matthew Jones, Kevin Mulraine Fourth official: David Webb

Exeter City v Port Vale

21 October 2017 (2017-10-21) 15	Exeter City	0–1	Port Vale	Exeter
15:00 BST		Report	Pope 25'	Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,258 Referee: Craig Hicks Assistant referees: Kevin Morris, Simon Knapp Fourth official: Adrian Tranter

Port Vale v Swindon Town

28 October 2017 (2017-10-28) 16	Port Vale	0–3	Swindon Town	Burslem
15:00 BST		Report	Taylor 51' Mullin 71' Gordon 85'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,071 Referee: Graham Horwood Assistant referees: Stephen Wade, Craig Taylor Fourth official: Nicholas Barnard

Newport County v Port Vale

10 November 2017 (2017-11-10) 17	Newport County	1–1	Port Vale	Newport, Wales
19:45 GMT	Dolan 54'	Report	Forrester 80'	Stadium: Rodney Parade Attendance: 2,876 Referee: John Busby Assistant referees: Ron Ganfield, Robert Dabbs Fourth official: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua

Port Vale v Barnet

18 November 2017 (2017-11-18) 18	Port Vale	1–0	Barnet	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Pope 80' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,207 Referee: Anthony Backhouse Assistant referees: Alan Clayton, Gary Hilton Fourth official: David Benton

Port Vale v Mansfield Town

21 November 2017 (2017-11-21) 19	Port Vale	0–4	Mansfield Town	Burslem
19:45 GMT		Report	Diamond 43', 52' Rose 54' Hemmings 63'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,878 Referee: Trevor Kettle Assistant referees: Joe Simpson, Nigel Smith Fourth official: Richard Bartlett

Lincoln City v Port Vale

25 November 2017 (2017-11-25) 20	Lincoln City	3–1	Port Vale	Lincoln
15:00 GMT	Green 10' Bostwick 53' Waterfall 69'	Report	Pugh 45+1'	Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 7,562 Referee: Andy Haines Assistant referees: Wayne Grunnill, Alf Greenwood Fourth official: David Plowright

Port Vale v Cambridge United

9 December 2017 (2017-12-09) 21	Port Vale	2–0	Cambridge United	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Montaño 45', 47'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,129 Referee: Antony Coggins Assistant referees: Richard Wild, Mark Cunliffe Fourth official: Matthew Jones

Carlisle United v Port Vale

16 December 2017 (2017-12-16) 22	Carlisle United	1–2	Port Vale	Carlisle
15:00 GMT	Bennett 80'	Report	Barnett 51' Pope 69'	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,090 Referee: Michael Salisbury Assistant referees: Paul Newhouse, Chris Isherwood Fourth official: Simon Clayton

Colchester United v Port Vale

23 December 2017 (2017-12-23) 23	Colchester United	1–1	Port Vale	Colchester
15:00 GMT	Szmodics 32'	Report	Harness 75'	Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 3,485 Referee: Nick Kinseley Assistant referees: Paul Yates, Graham Kane Fourth official: Michael George

Port Vale v Coventry City

26 December 2017 (2017-12-26) 24	Port Vale	1–0	Coventry City	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Smith 79'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 7,127 Referee: John Brooks Assistant referees: Joe Clark, Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua Fourth official: Nicholas Barnard

Port Vale v Luton Town

30 December 2017 (2017-12-30) 25	Port Vale	4–0	Luton Town	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Potts 23' (og.) Pope 60', 82' Whitfield 70'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,523 Referee: Tom Nield Assistant referees: David Benton, Declan Ford Fourth official: Christopher Ward

Notts County v Port Vale

1 January 2018 (2018-01-01) 26	Notts County	1–0	Port Vale	Nottingham
15:00 GMT	Stead 86' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 7,241 Referee: Darren Handley Assistant referees: Richard Wild, Ken Haycock Fourth official: Ian Rathbone

Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale

6 January 2018 (2018-01-06) 27	Forest Green Rovers	1–0	Port Vale	Nailsworth
15:00 GMT	Reid 61'	Report		Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,437 Referee: Keith Stroud Assistant referees: Christopher Husband, Michael D'Aguilar Fourth official: Andy Davies

Port Vale v Yeovil Town

13 January 2018 (2018-01-13) 28	Port Vale	1–1	Yeovil Town	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Pope 86' (pen.)	Report	Zoko 11'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,120 Referee: David Webb Assistant referees: Ian Dudley, Andy Hendley Fourth official: Alan Clayton

Accrington Stanley v Port Vale

20 January 2018 (2018-01-20) 29	Accrington Stanley	3–2	Port Vale	Accrington
15:00 GMT	McConville 51', 72' Kee 54'	Report	Pope 3' Tonge 41'	Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 1,743 Referee: Ross Joyce Assistant referees: Kevin Mulraine, Gareth Mellor Fourth official: Thomas Kirk

Port Vale v Colchester United

27 January 2018 (2018-01-27) 30	Port Vale	2–2	Colchester United	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Worrall 33', 87'	Report	Senior 12' Wright 45+4'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,044 Referee: Trevor Kettle Assistant referees: Simon Shaw, Mark Griffiths Fourth official: Alix Pashley

Port Vale v Morecambe

3 February 2018 (2018-02-03) 31	Port Vale	0–0	Morecambe	Burslem
15:00 GMT		Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,968 Referee: Ben Toner Assistant referees: Paul Graham, Chris Isherwood Fourth official: Gary Hilton

Cheltenham Town v Port Vale

10 February 2018 (2018-02-10) 32	Cheltenham Town	5–1	Port Vale	Cheltenham
15:00 GMT	Eisa 13', 44', 79' Adebayo 66' Boyle 86'	Report	Pope 35' (pen.)	Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 2,731 Referee: Brett Huxtable Assistant referees: Craig Taylor, Kevin Morris Fourth official: Kevin Howick

Swindon Town v Port Vale

17 February 2018 (2018-02-17) 33	Swindon Town	3–2	Port Vale	Swindon
15:00 GMT	Richards 24', 40' Mullin 88'	Report	Tonge 11' Montaño 43'	Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 5,713 Referee: Andy Woolmer Assistant referees: Philip Dermott, Mark Russell Fourth official: Darren Blunden

Port Vale v Newport County

24 February 2018 (2018-02-24) 34	Port Vale	0–0	Newport County	Burslem
15:00 GMT		Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,013 Referee: Tom Nield Assistant referees: Richard Wigglesworth, Christopher Ward Fourth official: Richard Wild

Grimsby Town v Port Vale

10 March 2018 (2018-03-10) 35	Grimsby Town	1–1	Port Vale	Cleethorpes
15:00 GMT	Berrett 90+1'	Report	Worrall 10'	Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 5,198 Referee: Seb Stockbridge Assistant referees: Paul Thompson, Simon Clayton Fourth official: Declan Ford

Barnet v Port Vale

13 March 2018 (2018-03-13) 36	Barnet	1–1	Port Vale	Edgware, London
20:00 GMT	Nicholls 4'	Report	Forrester 51'	Stadium: The Hive Stadium Attendance: 1,153 Referee: Brendan Malone Assistant referees: Andrew Aylott, Matthew Lee, Samuel Ogles Fourth official: Louis Marks

Port Vale v Stevenage

17 March 2018 (2018-03-17) 37	Port Vale	2–2	Stevenage	Burslem
15:00 GMT	Wilson 65' Hannant 77'	Report	Amos 10' Kennedy 48'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,462 Referee: Anthony Backhouse Assistant referees: Gareth Mellor, Lee Freeman Fourth official: Craig Taylor

Port Vale v Exeter City

20 March 2018 (2018-03-20) 38	Port Vale	0–1	Exeter City	Burslem
19:45 GMT		Report	Storey 24'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,138 Referee: Dean Whitestone Assistant referees: Nicholas Barnard, Ron Ganfield Fourth official: Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua

Wycombe Wanderers v Port Vale

24 March 2018 (2018-03-24) 39	Wycombe Wanderers	0–0	Port Vale	High Wycombe
15:00 GMT		Report		Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 4,620 Referee: Lee Swabey Assistant referees: Andrew Laver, Paul Yates Fourth official: Gary Parsons

Port Vale v Chesterfield

30 March 2018 (2018-03-30) 40	Port Vale	2–1	Chesterfield	Burslem
15:00 BST	Pugh 45' Whitfield 82'	Report	Reed 56'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,713 Referee: Tony Harrington Assistant referees: Paul Hodskinson, Adam Matthews Fourth official: Ross Joyce

Crewe Alexandra v Port Vale

2 April 2018 (2018-04-02) 41	Crewe Alexandra	2–2	Port Vale	Crewe
15:00 BST	Wintle 7' Kirk 90+3'	Report	Pope 36' (pen.) Kay 71'	Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 6,680 Referee: Andy Woolmer Assistant referees: Adam Crysell, Steven Meredith Fourth official: Tom Nield

Port Vale v Crawley Town

7 April 2018 (2018-04-07) 42	Port Vale	1–2	Crawley Town	Burslem
15:00 BST	Pope 20'	Report	Payne 29' (pen.) Smith 82' (og.)	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,005 Referee: Mike Jones Assistant referees: Lisa Rashid, Ian Siddall Fourth official: Christopher Ward

Port Vale v Lincoln City

14 April 2018 (2018-04-14) 43	Port Vale	1–0	Lincoln City	Burslem
15:00 BST	Kay 63'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,580 Referee: John Busby Assistant referees: Richard Bartlett, Alan Clayton Fourth official: Michael Denton

Mansfield Town v Port Vale

21 April 2018 (2018-04-21) 44	Mansfield Town	1–1	Port Vale	Mansfield
15:00 BST	Howkins 73' (og.)	Report	Pope 89'	Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 4,210 Referee: Carl Boyeson Assistant referees: Ken Haycock, Andy Newbold Fourth official: Oliver Bickle

Port Vale v Carlisle United

28 April 2018 (2018-04-28) 45	Port Vale	1–2	Carlisle United	Burslem
15:00 BST	Angus 34'	Report	Nadesan 51' Hope 70'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,163 Referee: Ben Toner Assistant referees: Ian Dudley, David Benton Fourth official: Richard Wigglesworth

Cambridge United v Port Vale

5 May 2018 (2018-05-05) 46	Cambridge United	5–0	Port Vale	Cambridge
15:00 BST	Amoo 33' Dunk 35' Halliday 68' Corr 74' Waters 78'	Report		Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 4,808 Referee: Craig Hicks Assistant referees: Andrew Aylott, Ian Smedley Fourth official: Steven Plane

FA Cup

Port Vale v Oxford United

3 November 2017 (2017-11-03) R1	Port Vale	2–0	Oxford United	Burslem
19:45 BST	Gunning 16' Pope 53'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,443 Referee: Mark Heywood Assistant referees: Darren Strain, Anthony Moore Fourth official: Joe Hull

Port Vale v Yeovil Town

2 December 2017 (2017-12-02) R2	Port Vale	1–1	Yeovil Town	Burslem
15:00 BST	Pope 63'	Report	Green 89'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,316 Referee: Scott Oldham Assistant referees: Richard Wigglesworth, Andy Hendley Fourth official: Peter Wright

Yeovil Town v Port Vale

12 December 2017 (2017-12-12) Replay	Yeovil Town	3–2 (a.e.t.)	Port Vale	Yeovil
19:45 BST	Khan 45+2' (pen.), 95' Zoko 109'	Report	Harness 83' Kay 108'	Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 1,588 Referee: Gavin Ward Assistant referees: Michael Webb, Mark Derrien Fourth official: Brett Huxtable

EFL Cup

Leeds United v Port Vale

9 August 2017 (2017-08-09) R1	Leeds United	4–1	Port Vale	Leeds
19:45 BST	Sáiz 13', 60', 62' Ekuban 83'	Report	Tonge 36'	Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 15,431 Referee: Peter Bankes Assistant referees: Paul Hodskinson, Matt McGrath Fourth official: Mark Dwyer

EFL Trophy

Port Vale v Newcastle United Academy

3 October 2017 (2017-10-03) Group Stage	Port Vale	1–0	Newcastle United Academy	Burslem
19:45 BST	Barnett 21'	Report		Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 824 Assistant referees: Nicholas Hopton, Adam Matthews Fourth official: Steve Martin

Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra

7 November 2017 (2017-11-07) Group Stage	Port Vale	4–2	Crewe Alexandra	Burslem
19:45 BST	Regis 4' Forrester 9' Reeves 65' Montaño 90'	Report	Reilly 31', 70'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,322 Referee: John Brooks

Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town

5 December 2017 R2	Port Vale	1–2	Shrewsbury Town	Burslem
19:45 GMT	Montaño 1'	Report	Dodds 68' Whalley 81'	Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 965 Referee: Graham Salisbury Assistant referees: Michael D'Aguilar, Gareth Mellor Fourth official: James Bell

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

More information No., Pos ...

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		EFL League Two		FA Cup		EFL Cup		EFL Trophy
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	ENG	Rob Lainton	7	0	6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
2	DF	ENG	Callum Howe	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	DF	ENG	Zak Jules	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	DF	ENG	Charlie Raglan	10	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	DF	ENG	Joe Davis	21	0	18	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
6	DF	ENG	Antony Kay	37	4	33	3	3	1	1	0	0	0
7	MF	ENG	Marcus Harness	42	2	35	1	3	1	1	0	3	0
8	MF	ENG	Danny Pugh	38	2	33	2	2	0	1	0	2	0
9	FW	ENG	Tom Pope	46	19	41	17	3	2	1	0	1	0
10	MF	ENG	David Worrall	44	4	40	4	3	0	0	0	1	0
11	MF	COL	Cristian Montaño	35	6	30	4	2	0	0	0	3	2
12	GK	ENG	Sam Hornby	12	0	11	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
14	FW	ENG	Tyrone Barnett	28	2	25	1	1	0	0	0	2	1
15	FW	ENG	Anton Forrester	17	3	13	2	2	0	1	0	1	1
18	MF	WAL	Billy Reeves	8	1	3	0	1	0	1	0	3	1
19	FW	ENG	Dan Turner	23	3	17	3	1	0	1	0	4	0
20	DF	IRL	Graham Kelly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
21	DF	ENG	James Gibbons	36	0	30	0	3	0	0	0	3	0
22	FW	ENG	Dior Angus	3	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
23	GK	ENG	Ryan Boot	28	0	22	0	3	0	0	0	3	0
24	DF	ENG	Nathan Smith	54	1	46	1	3	0	1	0	4	0
25	DF	ENG	Charlie Walford	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
26	GK	ENG	Joe Slinn	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
27	DF	ENG	Luke Dennis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
28	FW	ENG	Donovan Wilson	8	1	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
29	MF	ENG	Mike Calveley	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
30	DF	NED	Kjell Knops	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
31	MF	ENG	Ben Whitfield	39	4	37	4	0	0	0	0	2	0
32	MF	ENG	Michael Tonge	38	4	33	3	2	0	1	1	2	0
33	DF	ENG	Kyle Howkins	10	1	10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
34	MF	ENG	Luke Hannant	18	1	18	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
35	MF	ENG	Harry Middleton	6	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
36	MF	ENG	Harry Benns	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
2	DF	ENG	Lawrie Wilson	8	0	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
3	DF	ENG	Tyler Denton	21	0	15	0	3	0	0	0	3	0
4	DF	ENG	Tom Anderson	24	0	20	0	3	0	0	0	1	0
16	DF	ENG	Adam Yates	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
17	MF	ENG	Michael Brown	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
17	MF	ENG	Chris Regis	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
22	FW	ENG	Rekeil Pyke	9	0	7	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
28	MF	FRA	Anthony de Freitas	13	0	11	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
33	DF	IRL	Gavin Gunning	27	1	19	0	3	1	1	0	4	0
34	MF	ENG	Jack Stobbs	8	0	5	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
36	GK	NED	Kelle Roos	9	0	8	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
37	GK	BUL	Dimitar Evtimov	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

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Top scorers

More information Place, Position ...

Place	Position	Nation	Number	Name	EFL League Two	FA Cup	EFL Cup	EFL Trophy	Total
1	FW	England	9	Tom Pope	17	2	0	0	19
2	MF	Colombia	11	Cristian Montaño	4	0	0	2	6
3	DF	England	6	Antony Kay	3	1	0	0	4
–	MF	England	32	Michael Tonge	3	0	1	0	4
–	MF	England	31	Ben Whitfield	4	0	0	0	4
–	MF	England	10	David Worrall	4	0	0	0	4
7	FW	England	15	Anton Forrester	2	0	0	1	3
–	FW	England	19	Dan Turner	3	0	0	0	3
9	FW	England	14	Tyrone Barnett	1	0	0	1	2
–	MF	England	7	Marcus Harness	1	1	0	0	2
–	MF	England	8	Danny Pugh	2	0	0	0	2
12	FW	England	22	Dior Angus	1	0	0	0	1
–	DF	Ireland	33	Gavin Gunning	0	1	0	0	1
–	MF	England	34	Luke Hannant	1	0	0	0	1
–	MF	Wales	18	Billy Reeves	0	0	0	1	1
–	MF	England	17	Chris Regis	0	0	0	1	1
–	DF	England	24	Nathan Smith	1	0	0	0	1
–	FW	England	28	Donovan Wilson	1	0	0	0	1
–	–	–	–	Own goals	1	0	0	0	1
				TOTALS	49	5	1	6	61

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Disciplinary record

Number	Nation	Position	Name	EFL League Two		FA Cup		EFL Cup		EFL Trophy		Total
21	England	DF	James Gibbons	7	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	8	2
6	England	DF	Antony Kay	11	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	12	1
33	Ireland	DF	Gavin Gunning	4	0	0	0	2	1	1	0	7	1
32	England	MF	Michael Tonge	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
11	Colombia	MF	Cristian Montaño	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	1
8	England	MF	Danny Pugh	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1
9	England	FW	Tom Pope	6	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	8	0
10	England	MF	David Worrall	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
34	England	MF	Luke Hannant	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
4	England	DF	Tom Anderson	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
5	England	DF	Joe Davis	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
7	England	MF	Marcus Harness	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	4	0
33	England	DF	Kyle Howkins	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
31	England	MF	Ben Whitfield	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
3	England	DF	Tyler Denton	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
15	England	FW	Anton Forrester	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
35	England	MF	Harry Middleton	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
4	England	DF	Charlie Raglan	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
24	England	DF	Nathan Smith	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
28	France	MF	Anthony de Freitas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
18	Wales	MF	Billy Reeves	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
19	England	MF	Dan Turner	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
			TOTALS	75	4	3	0	3	1	6	2	87	7

Sourced from Soccerway.^[113]