The 2021–22 Port Vale F.C. season is the club's 110th season in the English Football League, and fifth consecutive season in EFL League Two. The season covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. The season covers the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. It is manager Darrell Clarke's first full season in charge of the club.
Clarke oversaw a complete overhaul of the playing squad, releasing 15 out of contract players and placing a further three contracted players on the transfer-list, whilst making 11 permanent signings and three loan signings. His new side got off to an indifferent start, winning one but losing just one of their opening five league games whilst exiting the EFL Cup in the first round.
Manager Darrell Clarke had to completely rebuild the playing squad after he released all 15 out of contract players following the club's mid-table finish at the end of the 2020–21 season: Shaun Brisley, Scott Brown, Ryan Campbell-Gordon, Adam Crookes, Mark Cullen, David Fitzpatrick, Kurtis Guthrie, Luke Joyce, Harry McKirdy, Zak Mills, Cristian Montaño, Tom Pope, Tom Scott, Daniel Trickett-Smith and Dino Visser.[1] He also transfer-listed Theo Robinson, Danny Whitehead and Scott Burgess.[2] Clarke's first signing as manager was Brad Walker, a defensive ball playing central midfielder who had been released from League One club Shrewsbury Town.[3] He then paid Blackpool an undisclosed fee for central midfielder Ben Garrity, who he described as "young, hungry and ambitious".[4]Biddulph-born James Wilson was then signed upon his release from Salford City, a 25-year old striker who had come through Manchester United as a highly rated teenager.[5] The club also confirmed that Andy Crosby would be staying on at the club as assistant manager, which director of footballDavid Flitcroft said was "a really important signing" due to his "outstanding coaching, organisational skills, knowledge, work ethic and enthusiasm".[6]Aaron Martin, a 31-year old centre-back who had previously worked with Crosby at Southampton, then joined on a two-year deal.[7] Another former Salford City player, left-back Dan Jones, then joined on a two-year deal.[8] Taking Brown's place in goal was 30-year old Brazilian Lucas Covolan, who had been on the losing side of the National League play-off final despite scoring a stoppage-time equaliser for Torquay United.[9]Aidan Stone, a 21-year old goalkeeper released from Mansfield Town, also joined the club.[10] Defender Ryan Johnson was added after he rejected a contract from newly promoted Hartlepool United.[11] Two more players were announced on 28 June: long-time Stevenage central midfielder Tom Pett and six-year Mansfield Town veteran full-back Mal Benning.[12][13] The next arrival was 29-year old former Rotherham United striker Jamie Proctor, who signed a one-year deal.[14]Lewis Cass, a 21-year old defender from Newcastle United then joined on a season-long loan.[15]
Port Vale lost 1–0 in their opening day fixture away at Northampton Town and had Covolan sent off on his competitive debut.[16] The first point was picked up seven days later in an entertaining goalless draw with Tranmere Rovers at Vale Park.[17] Clarke then added Romanian wide midfielder Dennis Politic to the squad, who arrived on loan from Bolton Wanderers.[18]Carlisle United visited Vale Park on 17 August and left with a point after another 0–0 draw.[19] A third consecutive draw followed with a 1–1 stalemate at Stevenage, causing Clarke to condemn his side's "atrocious" first half performance.[20] Vale achieved their first victory of the season with a 2–0 win a league leaders Forest Green Rovers, Proctor scoring both goals within the opening nine minutes.[21] As the transfer window drew to a close, Clarke brought in striker George Lloyd on a season-long loan from Cheltenham Town.[22] Meanwhile Theo Robinson left the club to join divisional rivals Bradford City.[23]
With Leon Legge out injured, Clarke signed free agent defender Danny Amos on a short-term deal to provide defensive cover.[24][25] Proctor scored another brace at home to Rochdale, though defensive errors cost Vale a 3–2 defeat; captain Tom Conlon, returning from injury, said that "we started really well and then they have equalised and it has knocked the stuffing out of us".[26] They picked up their second away win of the season at Swindon Town, with Garrity scoring both the side's goals in a 2–1 victory; after the game Clarke thanked the away support but urged critics to "not make scapegoats of any of our players".[27] The first home win of the season came against Harrogate Town on 18 September, with David Worrall and James Wilson providing the goals that moved the Vale into the play-offs.
Cup competitions[]
Vale were beaten 2–1 by Sunderland (League One) in the first round of the EFL Cup, though Clarke berated the referee for disallowing a Vale goal for a foul on the goalkeeper and stated that the decision to award Sunderland a penalty for a foul by Stone was also incorrect.[28]
Vale were drawn into Northern Group D of the EFL Trophy alongside Bolton Wanderers (League One), Rochdale (League Two) and Liverpool U21.[29] Seven changes were made way at Bolton Wanderers, and Vale came from a goal down to lead 2–1, only to lose the game 3–2.
Updated to match(es) played on 18 September 2021. 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[30]
30
Lucas Covolan
James Gibbons
Danny Amos
Dennis Politic
Theo Robinson
Hamilton Academical
Wrexham
RoundGlass Punjab
