Manager Darren Moore signed twelve permanent and four loan players whilst allowing eight to leave. An opening-day win at Salford City seemed to justify a sense of positivity, only for this to be followed with one point from three games – including a 4–0 defeat at Barrow. Three wins from four league games in September saw Vale rise to fifth in the table and won Moore the League Two Manager of the Month award. Vale added 16 points from a possible 18 on offer in October to establish themselves as league leaders and win Moore a second Manager of the Month award. Despite winning only once in November, they remained top of the table, whilst exiting the FA Cup in the first round.
Overview
EFL League One
Ronan Curtis was the first signing of the summer transfer window, as the Republic of Ireland international winger chose to leave League Two rivals AFC Wimbledon to join the Vale on a three-year contract.[1] He was followed by 29-year-old defensive midfielder Ryan Croasdale, who had been released by League Two champions Stockport County.[2] The club then paid an undisclosed fee to sign 30-year old striker Jayden Stockley from fellow-relegated League One club Fleetwood Town, with manager Darren Moore describing him as "an experienced striker with a proven track record of scoring goals".[3]Sam Hart, a 27-year-old left-back who had previously played for the club on loan in 2016, was then signed to a two-year deal after choosing to leave relegated club Sutton United.[4]Lorent Tolaj, a 22-year old Swiss striker, was signed for an undisclosed fee after a prolific season in the National League with Aldershot Town.[5]
On 7 September, Vale recorded a 4–1 win at Newport County, who ended with nine men in a game that saw first league goals for forwards Stockley and Tolaj.[27] They made it back-to-back wins the following week by beating Chesterfield 1–0 through a first-half goal from Ethan Chislett.[28] They salvaged a point at Accrington Stanley a week later thanks to two goals past the 90-minute mark from Stockley and Hackford.[29] Vale moved up to fifth-place with a 2–1 home win over Swindon Town after what opposition manager Mark Kennedy said was "a really ugly and physical game".[30] Moore was named as League Two Manager of the Month, with the panel noting that "Moore had to gel a lot of new players and has done a brilliant job to get them organised so quickly".[31]
On 1 October, the Valiants made it to five league games unbeaten with a 1–1 home draw with Colchester United, which would have been a victory if not for a 90th-minute equaliser from the visitors.[32] They then won 1–0 at Notts County, which left the Vale in sixth place after ten games and led Moore to declare that he was "happy but not satisfied" with his team.[33] A double injury blow then left Moore without two of his best-performing players, as John and Byers were ruled out for some weeks.[34] Undeterred, Moore led the Vale to a 1–0 win at Milton Keynes Dons to take the club to the top of the table for the first time in 11 years.[35] Vale then produced a confident 3–1 victory over Fleetwood Town, with Richards opening the scoring with his first goal for the club, which extended the team's unbeaten run to eight league games.[36][37] Paton then returned to the first XI and scored the only goal at Harrogate Town.[38] Opposition manager Simon Weaver said that Vale were as strong a side as he has seen since his team were promoted into the Football League in 2020.[39] A 3–2 win at home to AFC Wimbledon cemented Vale's pace at the top of the table on the first matchday since the unveiling of the John Rudge statue.[40] Moore won a second consecutive Manager of the Month award.[41]
Going into November, the squad was strengthened with the signing of 24-year-old midfielder Rekeem Harper, who had been a free agent since leaving Burton Albion in the summer.[42] The team's unbeaten run came to an end at an out-of-form Gillingham, as a late goal from Jayden Clarke ended a game of few chances in the host's favour as well as Vale's run of clean sheets on the road.[43]Morecambe had an 80th-minute goal ruled out for offside before Chislett gave the Vale victory just three minutes later.[44] They had the chance to go six points clear with victory over local rivals Crewe Alexandra, with Shorrock putting them in the lead on 3 minutes, however a second yellow card for league debutant Harper on 49 minutes left them on the defensive until they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Jack Lankester.[45]
On 3 December, Curtis scored an equalising goal four minutes into stoppage-time to secure a 1–1 draw at Cheltenham Town.[46] A 1–0 defeat at home to Walsall saw the visitors climb above the Vale atop the table.[47] They then drew 0–0 at Bromley, where Ripley pulled off several excellent saves; Stockley was denied a late winner as the officials did not see the ball crossing the goal line.[48] The fans booed the players off after another 0–0 draw followed, this time at home to bottom-club Carlisle United. However, Moore said he took it as a compliment as he saw it as the fans expecting better of the players.[49] Vale lost 2–1 at Bradford City on Boxing day due to a brace from Andy Cook, whilst Tom Sang was shown a straight red card in injury-time.[50] A 3–0 defeat at Grimsby Town then saw the Vale drop out of the automatic promotion places, after which Moore apologised to the travelling supporters for the poor performance.[51]
Finances
The club maintained a similar budget to the 2023–24 season despite having been relegated and enjoying less revenue.[52] The estimated revenue was £8 million to a total spend of £12 million, leaving Carol Shanahan to subsidise the club to the rune of £4 million, with the club having to pay for costs such as £250,000 for a new public address system, £60,000 for the new Railway toilet block and £50,000 o replacing the groundsman’s shed.[53]
Cup competitions
In the first round of the FA Cup Port Vale rested Garrity and Croasdale and subsequently lost 3–1 at home to Barnsley, who were managed by Darrell Clarke.[54]
Following their quarter-final appearance the previous season, Vale returned to their usual poor showing in the EFL Cup by losing 3–2 away to Barrow (League Two) in the first round, in a game that saw the first goal in a Vale shirt for new signing Paton, and a first career goal for Sang.[55]
In the group stage of the EFL Trophy, Port Vale were drawn into Northern Group B alongside Salford City (League Two), Wrexham (League One) and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21.[56][57] They returned to Salford for the second time in ten days and repeated their league result by claiming a 2–0 victory, with Edwards scoring five minutes into his debut.[58] A 2–2 draw with Wolves U21 concluded with a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory, with first competitive club goals for forwards Tolaj and Curtis.[59] With advancement though the group already confirmed for both sides, Vale played out a 1–1 draw at home with Wrexham and Amos saved three penalties in the resulting shootout victory.[60] Vale won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers through a Harper goal to make it through the first knockout round.[61]
Updated to match(es) played on 30 December 2024. Source: EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[62]
