After flirting with relegation for 2 consecutive seasons and coming close to taking a break in adding to their record of being in the Football League for 108 Years, things seem to move in a positive direction for Port Vale.

The club has changed hands from Norman Smurthwaite to Burslem-based business couple Carol and Kevin Shanahan along with Vale Park.

In the final years of his reign, Norman Smurthwaite turned into one of the most hated men by a large part of Port Vale fans. Last season fans were involved in a peaceful protest against the owner which included a creative red-card demonstration.

Norman Smurthwaite was in control of the club for six-and-a-half years and during that period Port vale won promotion to League One 2012-13 and relegated back to League Two in 2016-17.

But unlike Norman Smurthwaite, Carol and Kevin seem to be in positive graces as fans and sale of 4000+ season tickets before the early-bird deadline (Which is higher than last years overall) only solidifies the fact.

That means hopefully fans only have to worry about team success on the field and not the way Carol and Kevin are running the club.

Last season saw the departure of Neil Aspin as manager and John Askey was brought in as his replacement and guided them to a 20th position finish.

11 players have left the club this summer. But the club managed to keep hold of all the important players from last season.

Port Vale Manager

John Askey is the current manager of Port Vale. He is known for his style of adopting to oppositions tactics but his preferred formation according to our sources is 4-2-3-1.

Askey has the backing of their current owners and signed a new three-year contract in the summer. He joined Port Vale after an unfruitful spell at Shrewsbury Town.

He has an experience of managing 331 fixtures before the start of 2019-20 season. He has a record of 4 wins, 4 draws in 16 games in charge. But this season he will be able to build a squad with his footprint and hopefully go for a midtable or playoff finish.

Port Vale 2019-20 New Signings

Port vale have signed following players this summer.

Richie Bennett

Richie Bennett is a 6 ft 4 Center Forward who has come through the ranks of Oldham Athletic Academy.

After being released by Oldham, he began his Non-League journey and spent 11 Years in Non-League playing for teams like Springhead, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Northwich Victoria, and impressed football League scouts during his time at Barrow.

Whilst at Borrow he scored 15 goals and created 8 assists in 44 League games in the 2016-17 season. This led to him joining Carlisle United in League Two.

During his time with Cumbrians, He scored 12 and created 13 from 73 appearances. He spent the second half of the last season at Morecambe and scored 5 and created 2 from 16 appearances.

Scott Burgess

Scott Burgess is a 21-year-old midfielder who is a product of Bury Academy. He was part of the Macclesfield Town team, who had won promotion from National League with John Askey as manager.

He is a 5’9” right foot midfielder who can carry the ball from midfield with his pace and dribbling.

He has made 70+ appearances in League One, Two and National League combined. He joined Port Vale after he was released by financially troubled Bury.

Adam Crookes

Adam Crookes joined on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell at the club and after he was released by his boyhood and parent club Nottingham Forest.

He is a versatile youngster who can play in defense as well as in midfield. He is 6 foot tall and uses his jumping reach to best of his ability.

Mark Cullen

Mark Cullen is a versatile Forward who can play at both wings, Attacking Midfield but prefers playing as Center Forward.

The 5’9” Forward was blighted by injury issues for the past two seasons and suffered injuries like a stress fracture in his leg, and also underwent a surgery on his hamstring which forced him out of action for 9 months.

In the second half of last season, he joined Carlisle United on loan but was only able to make 9 appearances in 4 months.

A product of Hull City Academy, Mark got his breakthrough at Luton Town and helped them in their promotion from National League in the 2013-14 season.

After Luton, he joined Blackpool and spent 5-years at the club and helped them in their playoff promotion from League Two in the 2016-17 season.

He can be a great asset to the club if he can keep himself fit. He has made 269 across the top four leagues in English football including 3 appearances with Hull City in the Premier League.

Kieran Kennedy

Kieran Kennedy is a former English U-19 international who is a product of Leicester City and Manchester City academy.

He is a Ball playing defender who predominantly plays at the center back position but also can play in Both fullback positions.

He has a good relationship with John Askey and was also part of the 2017-18 Macclesfield Town team that was promoted from the National League and also followed Askey to Shrewsbury Town after he was appointed as the manager.

But, Kieran Kennedy managed to make only 6 appearances with Shrewsbury Town, 5 of which were in EFL trophy and spent the second half of last season at National League side Wrexham.

He made 12 appearances in Regular season and one appearance in playoffs last season with Wrexham in the National League.

Ryan Lloyd

Ryan Lloyd is a product of the Port Vale academy but left the club at the end of the 2015-16 season due to lack of playing time. But since then he played one full season at Chester in the National League.

He then joined John Askey at Macclesfield Town and was part of their 2017-18 squad which won promotion from the National League. But at the backend of that season, he suffered an Achilles injury.

That injury forced him to miss the first half of last season for The Silkmen. Even after his recovery, he only managed to make 14 appearances under Sol Campbell.

That makes Ryan Lloyd is one of the three players alongside Kieran Kennedy, and Scott Burgess to join John Askey from Macclesfield Town’s 2017-18 squad.

Port Vale 2019-20 Away Journey

Total Away miles Port vale fans have to travel this season is 2670 which means they have to travel an average of 116.1 miles per game.

The Longest away game for them this season will be Plymouth Argyle. For that game alone they have to cover 245 miles. 

Port Vale 2019-20 Odds

Bookmakers are expecting a mid table finish for Port vale with a chance of relegation battle.

Port Vale 2019-20 Fixtures

To read more club previews click here or visit 72 in 72 section from the menu.