Source: FOOTYMAD
The S24 Preview: Port Vale v Southend United
Just six more games to go as the Shrimpers try to return to winning ways at Vale Park against the play-off contenders from the Potteries on Saturday, April 9th; kick-off 15.00. v SHRIMPERSSo Bilel Mohsni has come and gone, but possibily captain Craig Easton will return to try and steady the ship, and it certainly looks as if Luke Prosser will be in the centre of defence to face his old club.Other than that, good luck to the lads and let's hope they can get something out of the remaining six games to try and keep our position in the league table respectible.As for this one, I'll be very happy with a draw, but I said that on Tuesday night, and a similar result at the weekend wouldn't surprise me. Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Coughlan, Prosser, Barker, Ferdinand, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Corr. Subs: Evans, Nesbitt, Comminges, Woodyard, Bouzid, Soares, Asante. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!OPPOSITIONPort Vale are without striker Tom Pope but influential centre-back Gareth Owen could return. Despite having recently penned a loan extension, Pope was recalled by parent club Rotherham, who currently find themselves one point and one place behind the Valiants in the table. But his loss could in part be offset at the other end of the pitch by the comeback of Owen, who missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Chesterfield having hobbled out of the 2-1 win over Lincoln with a recurrence of his hamstring injury. (Report below.)Vale are hoping he will not have suffered any reaction upon his return to training on Thursday and Friday of this week. Fellow centre-back John McCombe and midfielder Doug Loft sustained respective back and knee problems against the Spireites but are expected to be okay. (Valiants team news suppiled by www.teamtalk.com)Player to watch Marc Richards20 goals from 40 starts this season in all competitions this season, hit his 100th career goal aginst the Imps last week, the make-shift Shrimpers central defence of Coughlan & Prosser will have to be on top form to keep him out.Player details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_RichardsLast time OutHome - Port Vale 2 Lincoln City 1 (played on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011.)Report: www.port-vale.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10381~52002,00.html Away - Chesterfield 2 Port Vale 0 (played on Saturday, April 2nd, 2011.)Report: www.port-vale.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10381~51938,00.htmlPlay-offs still on for the Valiants5Stevenage4089331199382316171211543563+196Accrington Stanley40134347233116172816159645163+137Torquay United40105536226953125161410674762+208Gillingham40106424155105323015169564561+119Port Vale40106423176682225161212454260+310Rotherham United4097438247492929161113675359+14PREVIOUSLYAt Port Vale (35)At Southend Utd. (36)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Port Vale1954.29Southend Utd.1336.11Southend Utd.617.14Port Vale513.89Draws1028.57Draws1850.00GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgPort Vale702.00Southend Utd.561.56Southend Utd.320.91Port Vale381.06On Neutral Ground (0)Overall (71 matches)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Port Vale00.00Port Vale2433.80Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.1926.76Draws00.00Draws2839.44GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgPort Vale00.00Port Vale1081.52Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.881.24RecordsHighest Aggregate6Southend Utd. 3 - 3Port Vale1987/1988 Highest Port Vale score:5Port Vale 5 - 0Southend Utd.1994/1995 Highest Southend Utd. score:5Southend Utd. 5 - 1Port Vale1980/1981 SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition2010/2011Sat 21 AugSouthend Utd.1 - 3Port ValeLeague Two 2007/2008Sat 03 MaySouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeLeague One Sat 29 SepPort Vale1 - 2Southend Utd.League One 2005/2006Sat 26 NovPort Vale2 - 1Southend Utd.League One Sat 06 AugSouthend Utd.1 - 2Port ValeLeague One 1996/1997Sat 25 JanPort Vale2 - 1Southend Utd.League Division One Sat 21 SepSouthend Utd.0 - 0Port ValeLeague Division One 1995/1996Sat 09 MarPort Vale2 - 1Southend Utd.League Division One Wed 20 DecSouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeLeague Division One 1994/1995Sat 28 JanSouthend Utd.1 - 2Port ValeLeague Division One Sat 05 NovPort Vale5 - 0Southend Utd.League Division One 1991/1992Wed 15 AprSouthend Utd.0 - 0Port ValeSecond Division Sat 21 SepPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Second Division 1988/1989Sat 06 MayPort Vale2 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division Fri 02 DecSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division 1987/1988Fri 22 JanSouthend Utd.3 - 3Port ValeThird Division Mon 14 SepPort Vale4 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division 1985/1986Mon 05 MaySouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeFourth Division Sat 19 OctPort Vale4 - 0Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1984/1985Fri 29 MarSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeFourth Division Mon 05 NovPort Vale4 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1983/1984Mon 19 MarSouthend Utd.1 - 2Port ValeThird Division Mon 30 JanPort Vale2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division 1980/1981Mon 10 NovPort Vale1 - 0Southend Utd.Fourth Division Mon 18 AugSouthend Utd.5 - 1Port ValeFourth Division 1975/1976Mon 09 FebPort Vale1 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division Sat 13 SepSouthend Utd.3 - 3Port ValeThird Division 1974/1975Tue 01 AprPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division Sat 28 DecSouthend Utd.1 - 3Port ValeThird Division 1973/1974Sat 09 FebSouthend Utd.1 - 0Port ValeThird Division Sat 22 SepPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division 1972/1973Fri 20 AprSouthend Utd.5 - 0Port ValeThird Division Sat 30 SepPort Vale3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division 1969/1970Mon 23 FebPort Vale3 - 0Southend Utd.Fourth Division Mon 29 SepSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeFourth Division 1968/1969Mon 24 FebSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeFourth Division Mon 04 NovPort Vale1 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1967/1968Fri 15 DecSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeFourth Division Sat 19 AugPort Vale1 - 2Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1966/1967Sat 04 MarPort Vale1 - 3Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 14 OctSouthend Utd.4 - 1Port ValeFourth Division 1964/1965Fri 26 MarSouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeThird Division Fri 08 JanPort Vale2 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division 1963/1964Sat 22 FebSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division Sat 12 OctPort Vale4 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division Wed 25 SepSouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeLeague Cup 1962/1963Mon 24 SepPort Vale5 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division Mon 17 SepSouthend Utd.2 - 0Port ValeThird Division 1961/1962Mon 16 OctSouthend Utd.4 - 1Port ValeThird Division Mon 04 SepPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division 1960/1961Sat 21 JanPort Vale4 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division Sat 10 SepSouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeThird Division 1959/1960Mon 22 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 1Port ValeThird Division Sat 03 OctPort Vale3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division 1957/1958Sat 15 FebPort Vale1 - 3Southend Utd.Third Division (South) Sat 05 OctSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division (South) 1951/1952Mon 27 AugPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South) Tue 21 AugSouthend Utd.0 - 0Port ValeThird Division (South) 1950/1951Sat 21 AprSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division (South) Sat 02 DecPort Vale3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South) 1949/1950Mon 29 AugPort Vale0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South) Tue 23 AugSouthend Utd.1 - 0Port ValeThird Division (South) 1948/1949Sat 22 JanSouthend Utd.0 - 0Port ValeThird Division (South) Sat 11 SepPort Vale0 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South) 1947/1948Sat 21 FebSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division (South) Sat 04 OctPort Vale2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South) 1946/1947Sat 31 MayPort Vale5 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South) Sat 19 AprSouthend Utd.1 - 1Port ValeThird Division (South) 1938/1939Sat 22 AprSouthend Utd.0 - 0Port ValeThird Division (South) Sat 17 DecPort Vale2 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South) Sat 10 DecPort Vale0 - 1Southend Utd.F.A. Cup GROUND Although the ground is on the smallish side, it is set in a picturesque area, with views over fields and hills behind the Coppice Terrace at one end of the ground. (Thanks to www.footballgroundguide.com for stadium information.) TICKETSUnsurprisingly, it's pay on the day only for standing & sitting.Full details here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw9/port_vale_tickets_659843/index.shtmlWEATHERYeh, warm & sunny & 19c's.REF The man in the middle is Phil Gibbs from Birmingham. A full interview with him here: http://refworld.com/referee/184/1/phil-gibbs.His assistants are James Adcock and Paul Hobday; The fourth official is Carl Dunn. FIXTURESLeague TwoFriday, April 8th: Macclesfield v Accrington Stanley, 19:45.Saturday, April 9th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Aldershot v Shrewsbury, Barnet v Crewe, Bradford v Torquay, Cheltenham v Rotherham, Hereford v Chesterfield, Lincoln City v Gillingham, Morecambe v Burton Albion, Northampton v Bury, Oxford Utd v Wycombe, Port Vale v Southend, Stockport v Stevenage. BETPort Vale (to win) - , Draw - , Southend (to win) - . (To be updated) For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/TRANSPORTBy Train go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw5/port_vale_622146/index.shtmlBy Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw7/port_vale_665459/index.shtml#By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/port_vale_665456/index.shtmlPUB AND PIESFor the best drinking around the ground and in the town go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw8/grab_the_bulls_head_pub_crawl_for_port_vale_665427/index.shtmlSOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HATFor an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw1/port_vale_665448/index.shtmlHISTORYPort Vale are one of the few English league clubs not to be named after a city or town. The name Port Vale exists on maps pre-dating the 1876 formation of the club, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Merse Canal, associated with the city's pottery industry. The two symbols on the clubs badge are a bottle kiln and the Stafford knot. The club's mascot is Boomer the Dog, the Baha Men hit 'Who Let the Dogs Out?' is played as Boomer takes to the field before kick-off at home games, his squad number is 'K9'. The current shirt sponsorship comes from Harlequin Property. They have played more seasons in the second tier of English football (41) than any other club who have never reached the top tier. Possibly the club's most successful times have been in the 1950s, where they were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1954 and won numerous league titles. John Rudge was manager from 1983 to 1999 and steered the club through some of its best years, certainly in recent times. Under his leadership the club reached 8th in the second tier in the 1996-97 season and enjoyed cup glory and numerous promotion campaigns. Since his reign the club have declined, Bill Bratt's Valiant 2001 supporters group took the club out of administration in 2003. But despite providing relative financial security for the club, as of 2009 the group has failed to prevent the club slipping to its lowest league standing in 30 years.While sitting in fourth place in January 2011 their mamager who started the season Micky Adams walked out in to join Championship club Sheffield United last week, and after a 5-0 reverse away to Rotherham at the weekend, they needed a new one, quickly.And they went for Jim Gannon on a one-and-a-half-year contract, a disappointment probably then to Stockport County fans who hoped he would replace their recently sacked boss Paul Simpson.42-year-old Gannon led Stockport to promotion from the League basement in 2007-08, and remains a legendary figure at Edgley Park. He was made redundant by the Hatters due to their earlier financial problems and joined Motherwell in the SPL in 2009, leaving them after only 25 games. Gannon then helped out for a couple of months at Peterborough in early 2010 after Darren Ferguson was given his P45, but was not employed on a full-time basis, Gary Johnson getting that position.Vale chairman Bill Bratt told www.port-vale.co.uk: "We are delighted that Jim has agreed to join Port Vale at what is undoubtedly a very exciting period for the club. We are an ambitious club and we believe Jim is the right appointment to deliver the success we are striving for." However............After less than three months and only 15 games in charge at Vale Park, Gannon was sacked!Mark Grew has been appointed as caretaker manager and took charge of first-team affairs.The Valiants fell out of the top seven following Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley, prompting chants of "we want Gannon out" from angry Vale supporters. The former Stockport and Peterborough manager led the team to four wins, four draws and seven defeats during his short time at the club despite Adams taking Vale into a play-off position for the majority of the season.This all followed assistant boss Geoff Horsfield returning to work following a two-week investigation into his well-documented bus row with Gannon, which occurred on the way to the club's bottom tier match at Aldershot.(There's an even more comprehensive history of the club available here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Vale_F.C.)
