Honestly, if you're looking for a match that perfectly captures the grit and the absolute madness of the English Football League, you've gotta look at Port Vale vs Notts County. It isn't just about three points. It's about history, geographically close friction, and two fanbases that, quite frankly, have long memories. People talk about the big-ticket Premier League derbies, but there’s a specific kind of electricity at Vale Park or Meadow Lane when these two meet that you just can't manufacture in a billion-dollar stadium.
Football at this level is raw. It's loud.
And right now, in 2026, the stakes have shifted in a way nobody really saw coming a few years back. While Notts County is currently battling in the upper echelons of League Two, hovering around that 7th-place playoff spot with 42 points, Port Vale finds themselves in a much darker place. Sitting rock bottom of League One (24th) with only 18 points, the Valiants are staring down the barrel of a return to the basement tier. This context changes everything. It turns a standard league fixture into a desperate scrap for relevance and survival.
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The Weight of History and H2H Reality
When you dive into the numbers for Port Vale vs Notts County, the record is surprisingly tight. We’re talking about two of the oldest clubs in existence—Notts being the oldest professional club in the world, founded in 1862. That weight of time matters.
Historically, it’s a seesaw. If you look at the last 15 meetings, Notts County has edged it with 7 wins to Vale’s 6, with only a couple of draws sprinkled in. They don't like to share points. They want the throat.
Take the February 13, 2025, clash at Vale Park. It was one of those nights where the air felt heavy. Port Vale ground out a 1-0 win thanks to an 85th-minute strike by Ronan Curtis. It was ugly. It was tense. But that’s the thing about this fixture: it rarely produces a 5-0 snooze-fest. It’s almost always a one-goal game or a high-scoring thriller like the 4-2 Notts victory back in 2014.
Tactical Shifts: Moore vs. Maynard
The managerial chess match has been fascinating. Darren Moore took the reins at Vale Park with a massive reputation, but 2025-26 has been a nightmare. By late December 2025, Moore was out, and Jon Brady stepped into the fire in January 2026. Brady is a "blood and thunder" kind of guy, which is exactly what you need when you're 24th in the league.
On the flip side, Stuart Maynard has kept Notts County playing that expansive, possession-heavy style that fans at Meadow Lane have come to expect. They dominated possession (58% to 42%) in their last competitive meeting with Vale, yet they still lost. That’s the Notts County paradox. They can pass you off the park, but if they don't have that killer instinct in the six-yard box, they get caught on the break.
Key Personnel Making the Difference
- Devante Cole (Port Vale): He’s been the one bright spark in a dismal season for the Valiants. With 8 goals across all competitions by early 2026, he’s the guy Notts defenders have to pin down.
- Alassana Jatta (Notts County): Jatta has been a revelation. In the July 2025 friendly—a 3-1 win for Notts—he bagged a brace. He’s got that physical presence that bullies League Two center-backs.
- George Byers (Port Vale): The midfielder is the engine. He scored in that same July friendly, and when he’s on his game, Vale actually looks like a League One side.
The "Modern" Rivalry: Why 2026 Feels Different
The landscape of Port Vale vs Notts County has been warped by the financial realities of the lower leagues. Notts County, under the ownership of the Reedtz brothers, is a data-driven machine. They find undervalued gems from across Europe. Port Vale, under Carol Shanahan, is a club rooted deeply in community and heart.
It’s almost a clash of philosophies.
You’ve got the "Moneyball" approach versus the "Old School" soul. When they meet, you can feel that tension in the stands. Notts fans travel in massive numbers—often bringing 1,500+ to away days—and the atmosphere at Vale Park becomes a literal cauldron.
The most recent friendly in July 2025 was played behind closed doors, which felt like a crime against football. You could hear the shouts, the thud of the ball, and the bench's frustration. Notts ran out 3-1 winners that day, with Jatta and Jones doing the damage. Even without fans, the intensity was there. These players know what this game means to the people in the Potteries and the East Midlands.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most casual observers think this is just another midlands "nothing" game. They’re wrong.
People assume Port Vale is the "bigger" club because of their recent stints in League One, but Notts County has a global brand that most clubs in the Championship would envy. The "Juventus connection" (Juve wears black and white stripes because of Notts) gives them a layer of prestige that they carry into every stadium.
Conversely, Port Vale is often dismissed as "the other team in Stoke." But talk to a Vale fan about Robbie Williams or the legendary 1990s era under John Rudge, and you’ll realize this club has a massive, proud identity. They aren't anyone's "little brother."
Actionable Insights for the Next Encounter
If you’re looking to follow or bet on the next Port Vale vs Notts County clash, here’s the reality you need to face:
- Ignore the League Standings: As we saw in 2025, Vale can be in terrible form and still snatch a 1-0 win against a high-flying Notts. Derbies (or near-derbies) level the playing field.
- Watch the First 15 Minutes: Notts County likes to establish a rhythm early. If Vale can disrupt that with a high press—something Jon Brady is known for—they can rattle the Notts backline.
- The "Jatta" Factor: Keep an eye on Alassana Jatta. If he's starting, the probability of a Notts goal increases by about 30% based on his 2025/26 strike rate.
- Check the Injury List: Both clubs have struggled with depth this year. Port Vale lost Ronan Curtis to Plymouth Argyle in January 2026, which is a massive blow to their creative output.
Looking ahead, the next time these two face off in a competitive setting—likely in League Two next season if Vale's current trajectory holds—expect fire. Expect yellow cards. But most importantly, expect a game that reminds you why English football is the best in the world, even when it isn't played in front of the TV cameras of the Premier League.
Keep an eye on the official EFL fixture lists for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. If Port Vale manages a "Great Escape," they might avoid Notts altogether next year, but for now, the shadow of this rivalry looms large over both clubs.