On Saturday, Stoke-on-Trent’s rustic Vale Park will host an FA Cup Fifth Round tie between League One’s Port Vale and the Premier League’s visiting Sunderland. The crowd with be lively, and the pitch bumpy and dripping with moisture and history.
A Storied Cup Run
Port Vale started their FA Cup journey in the First Round, where they defeated non-league Maldon & Tiptree from the Isthmian League North (England’s eighth level in the pyramid) by five goals to one.
In December’s Second Round, they dispatched League Two’s Bristol Rovers by one goal to nil.
It was the same scoreline one month later against another League Two side in the Third Round. This time it was Fleetwood Town.
After their February Fourth Round fixture against Bristol City was postponed due to an unplayable pitch, they finally held the tie on Tuesday. Yep. You know the score. It took until the 111th minute of extra time, but it got done. Ben Waine won’t remember the three big chances he missed. Or the three shots that were on frame but saved.
He’ll only remember the one with the tight angle, the feel of the ball on his left foot, and the sheer exhilaration after realizing it went in.
Port Vale has hosted all four games. Three of those had 1-0 scorelines. And yes, they’re hosting for a fifth time.
Fun Facts
- Part Vale is the first club (based on my research) to have hosted five consecutive FA Cup ties.
- Remember, the host clubs in each round are decided by a random draw.
- Port Vale is one of the few teams in English league soccer not named after a town.
- Their name comes from an area of Stoke-on-Trent called the “Valley of the Ports” along the Trent and Mersey Canal.
- Nickname: The Valiants.
- Port Vale has never been in the top flight of English football in their 113 year history.
- They are the worst team still active in the FA Cup. This is not a snub, just a reflection of fact.
- They currently sit in last place in the League One table and 57 places are between them and Sunderland.
- They have four wins in the FA Cup; only six in league play.
- They currently sit in last place in the League One table and 57 places are between them and Sunderland.
- They have been relegated eleven times in their history, most recently in 2022-23 down to League Two.
- It is highly likely they will suffer a twelfth relegation this season.
- They have also been promoted eleven times, having come up into their current League One spot last season.
- Fourth Round goalscoring hero Ben Waine is a native of Wellington, NZ.
- He trained at the local Wellington Phoenix academy before moving to Plymouth Argyle in 2023.
- He spent a half-season with Mansfield Town before transferring to Port Vale this summer.
- Roy Sproson holds the club record for most appearances, with a remarkable 842. He has a statue outside the Vale Park stadium.
- The other statue on the grounds belongs to John Rudge, longtime manager of the club who led them through three promotions.
- He is the current president of the Port Vale.
- You will definitely see him in the stands at the game.
