2024–25 Port Vale F.C. Season

The 2024–25 season is the 113th season in the history of Port Vale Football Club and their first season back in League Two since the 2021–22 season, following their relegation from League One in the previous season. The season covers the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

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 by 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. The poor form continued, however, as three points from a possible 18 in December saw the Vale drop into the play-offs.

An unbeaten run throughout January and February kept the Vale in touch of the automatic promotion places. In March, 12 points from eight games – two of which had been rearranged from earlier in the season – kept them within four points of the top spot. Four wins from six games in April secured the club an automatic promotion place with one game left. The Vale's consistency and hard-to-beat quality was proven by them having the third-best records both home and away, as well as the fewest league defeats in the division.

Overview

EFL League Two

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. He was followed by 29-year-old defensive midfielder Ryan Croasdale, who had been released by League Two champions Stockport County. 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". 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. 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.

On 1 July, the club signed 34-year old goalkeeper Ben Amos following his release from League One club Wigan Athletic, and re-signed 31-year old defender Connor Hall back from Colchester United for an undisclosed fee. The signings continued with midfielder George Byers, who joined on a three-year contract following his release from Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. The first under contract player to leave the club was striker Ryan Loft, who was sold to Cambridge United for an undisclosed fee. The spending spree then continued with a "six-figure" fee for 23-year old Irish striker Ruari Paton from Scottish Championship club Queen's Park. Going the other way north to Scotland was Alex Iacovitti, who was signed by Scottish Premiership club St Mirren for an undisclosed fee. Ben Heneghan, a 30-year old centre-back known for his "combative, no-nonsense style of play", was signed on a free transfer from Fleetwood Town to replace Iacovitti. Benicio Baker-Boaitey, a 20-year old winger from Brighton & Hove Albion, became the first loanee of the season. Kyle John, an Everton youth-team graduate, was also signed after a successful trial with the club to a 12-month deal following a long-term injury to Mitch Clark. Bookmakers made the Vale fifth favourites for promotion.

Ben Garrity was appointed as the new captain and he scored both goals in a 2–0 victory at Salford City on the opening day of the season. Recruitment continued as Diamond Edwards was signed from Southampton's Academy on a 12-month contract. The first home fixture of the season was a 0–0 draw with Tranmere Rovers in front of a crowd of 8,102. Vale fell to a 4–0 defeat at Barrow, with all four goals coming in the second half. Summariser Phil Sproson said that he was shocked by the late collapse and that the game had looked balanced until the second goal was scored on 79 minutes. On transfer deadline day, Vale signed 20-year-old Jamaica international Brandon Cover on loan from Leicester City, attacking midfielder Rico Richards on loan from Aston Villa, and forward Antwoine Hackford on loan from Sheffield United respectively. On the morning following transfer deadline day, it was announced that Funso Ojo had left the club on a season-long loan to Shrewsbury Town, whilst Baylee Dipepa was sold to Southampton for an undisclosed fee. The month concluded with a 3–2 home defeat by Doncaster Rovers, with Luke Molyneux scoring a brace and assisting 38-year-old Billy Sharp for Doncaster's other goal.

On 7 September, Vale recorded a 4–1 away win at Newport County in a game that saw first league goals for forwards Stockley and Tolaj, with Newport ending the game with nine men after a reckless challenge on captain Garrity led to a straight red card for Ciaran Brennan, and a second yellow card was awarded to Kyle Jameson for directly kicking the ball out of play at the travelling Vale fans. They made it back-to-back wins the following week by beating Chesterfield 1–0 through a first-half goal from Ethan Chislett. They salvaged a point at Accrington Stanley a week later thanks to two goals past the 90-minute mark from Stockley and Hackford. 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". 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".

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 U's forward Samson Tovide. 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. A double injury blow then left Moore without two of his best-performing players, as John and Byers were ruled out for some weeks. 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. 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. Paton then returned to the first XI and scored the only goal at Harrogate Town. 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. 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. Moore won a second consecutive Manager of the Month award.

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, but was well-known by Moore from his time at West Bromwich Albion where he made his breakthrough into the first team. 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. Morecambe had an 80th-minute goal ruled out for offside before Chislett gave the Vale victory just three minutes later. They had the chance to go six points clear with victory over local rivals Crewe Alexandra, with Jack Shorrock putting them in the lead on 3 minutes with a volley from outside of the area, 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.

On 3 December, Curtis scored an equalising goal four minutes into stoppage-time to secure a 1–1 draw at Cheltenham Town. A 1–0 defeat at home to Walsall saw the visitors climb above the Vale atop the table. They then drew 0–0 at Bromley, where Connor Ripley pulled off several excellent saves; Stockley was denied a late winner as the officials did not see the ball crossing the goal line. 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. Vale lost 2–1 at Bradford City on Boxing Day due to a brace from Bantams talisman Andy Cook, whilst Tom Sang was shown a straight red card in injury-time. 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.

Moore made seven changes to the first XI on New Year's Day, including a league debut for goalkeeper Ben Amos, the result being a 0–0 draw at home to Cheltenham Town. The following day, he signed left-back Jaheim Headley from former club Huddersfield Town on a two-and-a-half year deal. Headley debuted in a 2–1 win away at Doncaster Rovers, Croasdale and Tolaj the scorers for Vale. Recruitment continued in the form of Crystal Palace striker Jemiah Umolu on loan until the end of the season and former acedemy product Rhys Walters, who rejoined the club as a free agent on an initial three-and-a-half year deal. Goalkeeper Nathan Broome was then signed on loan from Swansea City as Moore explained that Ripley was absent on paternity leave. Headley scored the winning goal on his home debut as Vale twice came from behind to beat Newport County 3–2. The following week saw the departure of summer signing Ruari Paton on loan to Dundee United until the end of the season, with Moore stating that "he will get vital, regular first team football at a very competitive level", but "very much remains in the club's future plans from the summer onwards". Stockley scored within the opening two minutes at Chesterfield, however, a red card to Clark was followed by an equalising goal from Armando Dobra when he capitalised on a mistake from Sang.

Sang was controversially sent off at home to Accrington Stanley on 1 February, however, Vale rallied to a 2–1 victory thanks to goals from Stockley and Tolaj. Connor Ripley and Conor Grant both left the club on transfer deadline day to Swindon Town and Accrington Stanley respectively, whilst Welsh teenager Finn Ashworth joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway did not play Ripley against Vale on the following Saturday due to a "gentleman's agreement". The match saw six goals shared equally, as Vale came from behind to lose a 2–1 lead and then came from behind again to equalise as Tolaj completed a brace. Vale then recorded a 1–0 home win over promotion-rivals Notts County in front of the Sky Sports cameras after substitute Curtis volleyed home through the legs of Magpies stopper Alex Bass in the closing minutes of the game. A 2–1 home win over Salford City kept the good form going, though Curtis was sent off following a confrontation at the final whistle, but this was later rescinded following a retrospective FA review of the incident.

March began with a 1–1 draw away at Tranmere Rovers, who were being managed on an interim basis by former Vale manager Andy Crosby. Another disappointing draw followed as Vale failed to score at home against a Harrogate Town who were both poor in form and high in injuries. Yet another 1–1 draw was added to the unbeaten run, as a dull trip to Fleetwood Town came to life after 81 minutes when Hall's diving header was saved, Smith's resulting header was saved on the line, and then the home side scored on the counter-attack through Ryan Graydon. Tolaj secured a point in injury time from the penalty spot after Chislett was kicked in the face by Phoenix Patterson. The unbeaten run came to an end at Colchester United as Samson Tovide capitalised on a mistake by Smith and Fiacre Kelleher headed home from a Lyle Taylor free-kick after Richards had equalised. The first of three consecutive home games was a convincing 3–0 victory over Milton Keynes Dons, with goals from Tolaj, Stockley and Garrity upon his return off the bench from injury. They then overcame relegation-threatened Morecambe thanks to a last-minute goal from Curtis. A win in their game-in-hand over Barrow would take the Valiants into the automatic promotion places, however, the visitors took a first-half lead and though a half-time triple substituon from Moore changed the momentum of the game, Vale failed to score in the second half as Barrow completed a league double over Vale. A 1–0 victory at nearby Crewe Alexandra thanks to a late header from Stockley took Vale into the automatic promotion places.

Vale opened April with one of the season's best first-half performances in a 2–0 home win over second-placed Bradford City, ending three years without winning in the league at home on a Tuesday. This was followed by a 3–2 win at Walsall that knocked the home side off the top of the table for the first time since replacing Vale as league leaders after their win at Vale Park back in December. The game had an action-packed first half as Walsall had a goal ruled out after 12 seconds, Tolaj scored an overhead kick, Stockley handballed to give away a penalty to gift the visitors the first of two goals; Vale equalised and found the winning goal as Garrity scored on 41 minutes and Tolaj converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time. A 5–0 victory over Bromley in front of a season-high crowd of 10,864 saw the Vale return to the top of the table as other results went in their favour, with Tolaj scoring his second successive brace. It was the biggest crowd and biggest home win at Vale Park in 12 years. However, this was followed by a 3–2 defeat on Good Friday at relegation-threatened Carlisle United as Tolaj had a late penalty saved by Blues goalkeeper Gabriel Breeze, failing to complete a comeback from three goals down. On Easter Monday, Vale went two goals down at home to Grimsby Town, though came from behind to level the game in stoppage time with a second goal of the season for defender Jesse Debrah to ensure they only dropped down to second in the league table. Automatic promotion was secured with a 2–0 away win at AFC Wimbledon, thanks to two second half goals courtesy of Stockley and Headley.

The season concluded with a 1–0 defeat at home to Gillingham on 3 May, with a crowd of 13,661 at Vale Park – the biggest attendance for 27 years, it had more home fans in attendance for a league game that wasn't against Stoke City since a game against Crewe Alexandra in September 1963. Vale finished the season with the third-best home record and third-best away record in the division and no team lost fewer league games than Vale's ten. The team conceded the third-least goals in the division (46) and scored the second most headed goals (14). Moore opted to release all eight out-of-contract players: Andrew Buah, Ethan Chislett, Diamond Edwards, Rekeem Harper, Dan Jones, Jason Lowe, Tom Sang, as well as club legend of 16 years standing Nathan Smith.

Finances

The club maintained a similar budget to the 2023–24 season despite having been relegated and enjoying less revenue. The estimated revenue was £8 million to a total spend of £12 million, leaving Carol Shanahan to subsidise the club to the tune of £4 million, with the club having to pay £250,000 for a new public address system, £60,000 for the new Railway toilet block and £50,000 on replacing the groundsman’s shed. The club won the League Two Community Project of the Season award for their 'Baby Bank' programme that provided clothing and equipment for those in need.

Cup competitions

In the first round of the FA Cup, Vale rested midfield duo Garrity and Croasdale and subsequently lost 3–1 at home to Barnsley (League One), who were managed by 2021–22 season promotion-winning manager Darrell Clarke.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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. Vale won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers through a late Harper goal to make it through the first knockout round. They were then drawn against Wrexham again and took a surprise lead in the opening minute through Curtis, though ended up losing the game 4–1 in a game that saw a debut and only appearance in a Vale shirt for goalkeeper Nathan Broome.

Competitions

Pre-season

League Two

League table

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

FA Cup

EFL Cup

EFL Trophy

Statistics

Appearances and goals

, -
, colspan="14", ''Players who featured but departed the club permanently during the season:''

Top scorers

Disciplinary record

Sourced from Soccerway.

Awards

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

Loaned in

Loaned out

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2024-25 Port Vale F.C. season
Port Vale
Port Vale F.C. seasons