Moore Aims for More Exciting Nights at Vale Park

Following consecutive losses in August, Darren Moore’s Port Vale team has experienced only one defeat across 13 League Two fixtures. The Port Vale manager, Darren Moore, expressed his desire for more captivating evenings at Vale Park, akin to the recent thrilling local derby draw on Monday night against League Two promotion contenders Crewe Alexandra. Despite the freezing temperatures in the Potteries, 10,222 spectators attended the match, witnessing Vale almost maintain their lead with ten players, largely resisting a second-half onslaught from Crewe, who ultimately secured a dramatic equalizer two minutes into added time. This attendance figure represents the largest home crowd for Vale since Moore assumed leadership in mid-February, a period when the Valiants were already undergoing a significant downturn that culminated in their relegation from League One. However, the current season presents a contrasting situation, with Moore’s squad leading League Two by a margin of three points over Walsall, who possess a game in hand. Vale’s forthcoming home fixture is anticipated to draw another substantial Burslem crowd as they prepare to host Walsall on Saturday 7 December, in what is expected to be a contest between the league’s top two teams – an event Moore eagerly anticipates. “This is how I want to see Vale Park week in, week out,” he communicated to BBC Radio Stoke. “When the stadium is in full voice like this, there aren’t many better arenas.” This statement is not an exaggeration for a venue that was once imaginatively referred to as the Wembley of the North upon its construction in 1950. It holds a record attendance of nearly 50,000 before its conversion to an all-seater stadium in the late 1990s, with its present capacity being approximately 16,000. “When we went down to 10 men, you could feel the energy coming from the crowd,” Moore stated. “But it works both ways. The Vale fans saw a spirited effort. It’s about having the right people here with that right mentality.” “That game will stand us in good stead for future games this season. Seven months ago when I came in, there’s no way we’d have got anything out of that,” he added. Vale’s increasing injury concerns were exacerbated by the potentially severe red card issued to dedicated midfielder Rekeem Harper, which will prevent him from participating in next Tuesday’s away match against Cheltenham Town. However, Moore’s primary concern was the disappointment of losing the former West Bromwich Albion player precisely as he was beginning to excel in his inaugural start for Vale. “It’s a bittersweet night for him,” Moore commented. “Up until then we saw the difference he made and what he brings to the team, with his power on the transition. But we’re a developing team and a developing group and we’ve got people who can deputise.” Among those who entered the game was the recovered Sam Hart, who played as a centre-half in his first appearance since August. “Credit to the gaffer. He’s built a team who can all play in different positions when people get injured,” Hart remarked. He added, “The gaffer said after that, in games like this last year, we might have folded but, come the end of the season, that will be a good point.” Hart concluded, “Other teams want to catch us but we don’t want to get caught.”