James Plant

Port Vale

Plant made his senior debut for Port Vale in a 1–0 victory over Stockport County in an EFL Trophy group stage game at Vale Park on 30 August 2022; he came on as an 86th-minute substitute for Tommy McDermott.^[8] On 24 September 2022, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Nantwich Town on a work experience loan, having been recommended to joint-manager Ritchie Sutton, who said Plant would bring "energy, enthusiasm, quality and a great attitude" to the "Dabbers" squad.^[9][10] Plant made his debut later that day, and was named as man of the match in a 2–0 defeat at Whitby Town.^[11] He was praised by "Dabbers" supporters for his "creative playing style and energetic performances".^[12] He found the experience tough and one that he learned a lot from.^[7] On 31 January 2023, he joined Southern League Premier Division South club Salisbury on a work experience loan, alongside Tommy McDermott.^[13] He was named as Player of the Match in each of his first two appearances for Salisbury and scored on his fourth appearance, a 3–0 win at Hanwell Town.^[14][15] He was named as the club's Player of the Month for February.^[16] He received a career first red-card during a 3–0 victory at Metropolitan Police on 4 March.^[17] On 30 March, it was announced that the loan deal had been extended until the end of the 2022–23 season.^[18] He made his League One debut for Port Vale on 10 April, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute for Gavin Massey in a 0–0 draw with Oxford United.^[19] He started his first League One game eight days later, impressing alongside Tom Conlon in central midfield in a 2–1 defeat at Ipswich Town after Tom Pett was ruled out due to injury.^[7][20] He signed his first professional (two-year) contract in April 2023; David Flitcroft, the club's director of football, said that "his ability, attitude, character and commitment to getting better is outstanding and is now a benchmark for all players who come through the academy".^[21] Plant scored his first goal in the EFL in a 3–2 loss at Charlton Athletic on 29 April.^[22]

Plant began the 2023–24 season strongly and was teasingly nicknamed "Son of Crosby" by his teammates due to manager Andy Crosby's fulsome praise for his attitude and performances.^[23] He signed a new contract in November, before turning 19, to keep him at the club until at least 2027.^[24] However, he dislocated his shoulder the following month and was ruled out of action for up to 12 weeks.^[25] He made his return in a 3–0 defeat at Derby County on 2 March, where he was played out of position at left-wing-back.^[26] He was praised by manager Darren Moore after again being played out of position on 10 April, this time playing at right-back against Ephron Mason-Clark in a 3–0 defeat at Peterborough United.^[27]

On 27 September 2024, Plant joined National League side Yeovil Town on loan until January 2025.^[28] He provided the assist in a 1–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at Huish Park on 5 October, in what was his second game for the Glovers.^[29] Manager Mark Cooper said that "he showed real quality today" and was like "gold dust" due to his versatility.^[30] He scored two goals in eleven games for the "Glovers" before he sustained a hamstring injury and returned to Vale on 19 December.^[31][32] On 3 February, he returned on loan to Yeovil Town until the end of the 2024–25 season.^[33] However, a hamstring injury saw the loan spell cut short after three weeks.^[34]

On 20 August 2025, Plant returned to National League side Yeovil Town on loan until 9 January 2026.^[35][36] He was sidelined with a shoulder injury in October, which led the club to bring in George Nurse on loan as cover down the left side.^[37] He retained his first-team place despite Yeovil cycling between different managers – Mark Cooper, Richard Dryden, Danny Webb, and Billy Rowley.^[2]

Tranmere Rovers

On 28 January 2026, Plant left Port Vale to sign for League Two side Tranmere Rovers on an 18-month deal.^[38] He had played under manager Andy Crosby at Port Vale.^[39]