Stoke City vs Port Vale is a real derby

The Checkatrade Trophy has thrown in a quite interesting match into the dairies of Stoke fans, Port Vale vs Stoke City or more commonly known as the Potteries Derby. In a cup, that most Stoke City fans barely register any interest in, this tie will surely have their interest.

The last Potteries Derby was in 2002 in League 1 when Port Vale had a close 1-0 victory over Stoke City courtesy of a goal from Michael Cummins, albeit Stoke City managed to draw at Vale Park where the Checkatrade Trophy will be played. The last time Stoke City won against Port Vale was in 1997, the Stoke City U21s will hope to change that. All in all, it should be a great clash.

There are some fans calling this match as not a derby, because of the fact its Stoke City U21s versing some reserve players from Port Vale. The definition of a derby is ” a sports match between two rival clubs from the same area”. So, to answer back to those naysayers about whether this Checkatrade Trophy match is a derby, it fits the bloody criteria of a derby match, Stoke and Port Vale are from the same area and are most definitely rival clubs.

People with complaints about the fact that its Stoke City U21s and not the first team playing this match need to think about this issue clearly, the point of the Checkatrade Trophy is allowing young players to experience the skill and tenacity to play at the highest level, also these Stoke youngsters are the future of the club, the likes of Tyrese Campbell, Harry Souttar and Josh Tymon should be part of the first-team in the coming years, allowing them to experience a derby that hasn’t happened for some eighteen years will be an experience that will benefit them.

Who knows when the next Potteries Derby is going to be played, so when matchday arrives, Stoke City fans will definitely be embracing the match as a real derby.