2025–26 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2025–26 season is the 114th season in the history of Port Vale Football Club and their first season back in League One since the 2023–24 season, following their promotion from League Two in the preceding season.

Manager Darren Moore signed nine permanent and three loan players, whilst allowing eight to leave and being forced to sell top-scorer Lorent Tolaj to Plymouth Argyle after a release clause was triggered. They collected just two points from their opening six league games, though they did qualify for the third round of the EFL Cup, where they had a home tie with Arsenal. Vale put in a creditable performance in defeat to Arsenal, whilst claiming three straight league wins at the end of September as new signing Devante Cole hit form immediately. Only one goal scored in four October league games saw the Vale drop into the relegation zone. One point and zero goals scored in November saw the Vale fall to the bottom of the division.

CEO Matt Hancock said that he believed the club were in a stronger position than when they had last gained promotion ahead of the 2022–23 season.^[1] In celebration of the club's 150th anniversary, the home kit was based on the classic strip from the 1953–54 'Iron Curtain' season, in which the club reached the FA Cup semi-finals and conceded just 26 goals throughout a 46-game season. It was also confirmed that the kit would not display a front-of-shirt sponsor to maintain the retro look.^[1] The away kit was based on that worn by the 1958–59 title-winning team.^[2] The first signing of the summer was right-sided defender Jordan Gabriel, who joined on an initial two-year contract after being released by Blackpool.^[3] Attacking midfielder Rico Richards, who had played 27 league games on loan at Vale the previous season, was signed to a two-year deal after being released by Aston Villa.^[4] He would later join League Two side Walsall on loan for the season.^[5] Liam Gordon, a 26-year-old left-back capped at international level by Guyana, then chose to leave Walsall to sign for Vale on a two-year deal.^[6] Midfielder Jordan Shipley also signed a two-year contract after being released by relegated Shrewsbury Town.^[7] Bookmakers had the Vale pegged as relegation strugglers, though supporters were optimistic of a mid-table finish.^[8] The fifth summer signing was announced as 26-year-old central defender Cameron Humphreys, who rejected a contract offer from Rotherham United to join Vale on a two-year deal.^[9] The club ended June by announcing the signings of Slovak goalkeeper Marko Maroši and New Zealand international forward Ben Waine, who had been released by Cambridge United and Plymouth Argyle respectively, both signing for Vale on two-year deals.^[10][11]

The season opened with a 2–1 defeat at Rotherham United as the Vale were two goals and one man down on 32 minutes after Jaheim Headley was sent off for a knee-high challenge; Vale looked stronger after three half-time changes and a switch away from the 3–4–3 formation.^[12] On 7 August, Darren Moore signed 22-year-old Gambian striker Mo Faal on a season-long loan from Wrexham.^[13] Later that day, Vale picked up their first point of the season after playing out a 0–0 draw at home to Cardiff City.^[14] The following week, on 11 August, Vale signed 25-year-old Australian international goalkeeper Joe Gauci on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with Moore hoping to provide "strong competition in the goalkeeping department" in the absence of veteran stopper Ben Amos through injury.^[15] Another clean sheet and point were gained at Burton Albion five days later, despite captain George Byers being sent off after 15 minutes for a strong challenge on Charlie Webster.^[16] The club appealed the red card, however, the original decision was upheld by an FA Regulatory Commission.^[17] Vale were heading to a one nil home victory over Stevenage until they conceded two Jamie Reid goals after 87 minutes to lose the game.^[18] They then lost top-scorer Lorent Tolaj to league rivals Plymouth Argyle after Argyle activated a "substantial release clause" in his Vale contract.^[19] This fee was reported to be £1.2 million.^[20] A 1–0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers followed as the visitors took control of the game in the second half.^[21] Vale went on to bring 19-year-old forward Dajaune Brown on loan from Derby County.^[22] He came off the bench as Vale fell to a 1–0 defeat at Reading, the hosts taking all three points with a 66th-minute Paddy Lane strike.^[23]

Moore made two signings on transfer deadline day, bringing in experienced striker Devante Cole on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion and midfielder George Hall from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.^[24] Cole provided an assist and scored on his debut at home to Leyton Orient on 6 September, though could not prevent his new side slipping to another defeat at Charlie Wellens scored the winning goal five minutes into stoppage-time for his father's team. Richie Wellens sympathised with Moore, saying he must have run over a black cat.^[25] The first league win was achieved with a 2–0 victory at Exeter City, as the new strike partnership of Cole and Paton secured a goal each after capitlising on mistakes by the home team.^[26] A second win followed at home to Mansfield Town, who had their captain Ryan Sweeney sent off after 14 minutes, though it took a stoppage-time Ronan Curtis penalty to secure the three points and Moore had some "choice words" for his players in the dressing room for conceding a sloppy goal.^[27] A 2–0 victory at Barnsley secured the Vale a third consecutive win in the league and a solid performance ensured that Gauci did not have a save to make throughout.^[28]

The winning run was halted by Northampton Town, who held the Valiants to a goalless draw at Vale Park on 4 October.^[29] Vale gained a point on the road seven days later as Cole struck an equaliser four minutes from full-time to prevent former Valiant Antwoine Hackford from winning three points for AFC Wimbledon.^[30] With the club facing an injury crisis in the wing-back position, Moore signed 34-year-old free agent Marvin Johnson to a short-term contract.^[31] They slipped to a 1–0 defeat at Wigan Athletic despite having a man advantage for the entire second half after Dara Costelloe was sent off for a high foot.^[32] A 3–0 home defeat to league leaders Stockport County in front of the television cameras left Vale in the relegation zone.^[33]

On 8 November, Vale fell to a 4–0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers despite having had a bright start to the match.^[34] The run of defeats came to an end with a goalless draw at home to Wycombe Wanderers.^[35] However, a 1–0 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle, the goal scored by Tolaj, saw Vale replace Plymouth at the bottom of the division and supporters called for Darren Moore to be sacked.^[36] Matt Hancock gave a lengthy interview backing Moore, saying that the board saw "signs that we can win football games".^[37] Jayden Stockley told the media that the players had organised a meeting with Moore and the coaching staff to discuss how to improve performances on the pitch.^[38] A 1–0 defeat at Lincoln City followed, a club record sixth consecutive league game without a goal scored.^[39]

On 13 December, Vale came from a goal down to lead 2–1 at Luton Town, only to end the game with a point following a Luton equaliser. Ben Amos made only his second league appearance of the season following back-to-back clean sheets in the cup competitions, whilst Ben Waine scored in his third straight game after also having a run of success in the cups.^[40] Waine's strike ended Vale's club record time of consecutive league time without a goal at 9 hours and 46 minutes.^[41]

Vale were drawn at home to the lowest-ranked team in the first round of the FA Cup, Maldon & Tiptree of the Isthmian League North Division. They fell behind after six minutes, though quickly recovered and finished as 5–1 winners, with both Paton and Cole claiming braces.^[42] They defeated League Two side Bristol Rovers by a goal to nil.^[43] This was the first time they had beaten a team managed by former Vale boss Darrell Clarke in nine attempts.^[44]

Vale won 1–0 at League One rivals Blackpool in the first round of the EFL Cup, with Faal scoring on his debut, despite Moore making nine changes.^[45] They went on to defeat Championship club Birmingham City in the following round, with Headley scoring the only goal of the game. It was the club's first win away at Championship opposition in 15 years.^[46] Vale hosted Premier League giants Arsenal in the third round and put in a highly creditable performance in a 2–0 defeat, earning praise from both Moore and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.^[47]

In the EFL Trophy, they were drawn in a group with Accrington Stanley (League Two), Fleetwood Town (League Two), and Leeds United U21 (Academy).^[48] The Leeds youth team were dispatched by a 4–1 scoreline as a strong Vale team spread the goals amongst them.^[49] Late goals from Hall and Faal were enough to secure victory at Accrington Stanley.^[50] They stormed to a 5–0 home win over Barnsley in the first knockout stage of the competition, making a mockery of their run of six league games without scoring.^[51] Moore said the victory showed how "together" the squad was.^[52] It was the first time the club had made it to the third round of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and EFL Trophy in the same season.^[53]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Port Vale were drawn at home to Maldon & Tiptree in the first round,^[60] Bristol Rovers in the second round^[61][62] and Fleetwood Town in the third round.^[63]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

As of match played 13 December 2025

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

As of match played 13 December 2025

As of match played 13 December 2025