Pre-Match Information: Port Vale (H)

Derby County are back in League One action at Pride Park Stadium this weekend in what will be Head Coach Paul Warne’s first experience in the home dugout.

Port Vale are the visitors to Derbyshire and will look to spoil what will undoubtedly be a special occasion for the new man.

After getting that first win under the belt last time out away at Cambridge, the Rams will look to build on the positive start and hope to make it two victories from two in the league under Warne.

In the lead-up to the game getting underway, dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you need to know…

Team News

Midfielder Korey Smith and defender Jake Rooney have both resumed full training this week after recovering from injuries and could be available for selection.

Striker William Osula is also back at Moor Farm after missing Tuesday evening's Papa Johns Trophy trip to Mansfield Town with illness.

David McGoldrick is back training on the grass as he steps up his return from a groin injury, but is away from the rest of the team for now. Goalkeeper Joseph Anang is also still out with an arm injury sustained in training in August.

Warne’s words

Paul Warne spoke to RamsTV about what will be his first game at Pride Park Stadium as the Head Coach of Derby County Football Club.

He said: "I remember playing here as an away player and thinking ‘what a place to play.’

"I’ve come here and managed – took a cracking once. It was more enjoyable behind closed doors in covid as an away manager but to be the manager of the home team in such an historic ground is really proud for me and my family. It means a lot to us all."

From the dressing room

Jason Knight spoke to RamsTV about the return to league action this weekend.

He said: "We had a good result just before the international break and also under the new boss too - and it’s important we keep that going. It’s going to be a tough test like every game in this league. It’s looking like it’s going to be another bumper crowd and we need to give them something to shout about."

About the opposition

Port Vale have endured an inconsistent start to their first season back in League One after five years away.

Managed by Darrell Clarke, The Valiants earned promotion back to England’s third tier via the play-offs following a superb 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town at Wembley back in May.

They’ve taken 12 points from their opening 11 games back in the division; three wins, three draws and five defeats.

Vale have scored 10 goals so far this season with danger man Ellis Harrison having bagged five of those in 11 league appearances.

They have however conceded 16 meaning only the bottom four and Cambridge United are the only teams to have shipped more.

Saturday will mark the first time the Rams and Port Vale have locked horns in competitive action for over 25 years. The last coming in a 1-1 draw back in the second tier in January 1996.

Match Officials

Sam Allison has been appointed as the Match Referee for Saturday afternoon’s game.

Allison has officiated seven games so far this season across the football league and EFL Trophy. He’s handed out 21 yellow cards in that time, one straight red and two penalty kicks.

Matthew Parry and Dean Treleaven will run the lines whilst Thomas Harty has been appointed as Fourth Official.

Ticket Information

There's still time to secure your seat for Saturday's game at Pride Park Stadium - but don't leave it until the last minute!

Ticket Prices

Behind Goal

£5 - Child (Age 6-12)

£10 - Junior (Age 13-17)

£15 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)

£20 - Adult (Age 22-64)

£15 - Senior (Age 65+)

FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)

Corner

£6 - Child (Age 6-12)

£12 - Junior (Age 13-17)

£18 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)

£24 - Adult (Age 22-64)

£18 - Senior (Age 65+)

FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)

Sideline

£7 - Child (Age 6-12)

£14 - Junior (Age 13-17)

£21 - Young Adult (Age 18-21)

£28 - Adult (Age 22-64)

£21 - Senior (Age 65+)

FREE - Infants (Age 2-5)

Please Note: Proof of age may be requested on entry for age-related concession tickets. Infants, Children and Juniors aged 2-15 must be accompanied by an individual aged 18+/Parent/Guardian. Disabled Supporters’ information is available byClicking Here.

Off Sale Dates

Tickets will go off sale ONLINE two hours prior to kick off

Tickets will go off sale via TELEPHONE one hour prior to kick off

Tickets will go off sale IN-PERSON 15 minutes after kick off

How To Buy

Online (Subject to £1 per ticket Booking Fee and available up to TWO hours before kick-off)

Visit dcfc.co.uk and click ‘TICKETS’ then, under the ‘TICKETS’ section, click ‘HOME TICKETS’.

Use your Fan ID and password to log into the system. If there’s an issue, click the ‘forgot password’ link on the login page. If the issue persists, email [email protected].

Phone (Subject to £1 per ticket Booking Fee and available up to ONE hour before kick-off)

Call 0871 472 1884 * between 10am-4pm on Monday-Saturday and select Option 1. Ensure your contact details are readily available including Fan ID, Full Name, Full Address and Date of Birth.

Tickets can either be posted up to 72 hours before matchday and are subject to a £2 per Transaction Postage Fee or can collected from the Ticket Office, presented by Seat Geek, which is open 10am-4pm from Monday to Saturday and at least THREE hours before kick-off and up to half-time on home matchdays.

* 0871 numbers are charged at 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

In Person (No Booking Fee)

The Ticket Office, presented by Seat Geek, is open from 10am-4pm between Monday and Saturday and at least THREE hours before kick-off and up to half-time on home matchdays.

For all other ticket-related enquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Matchday Programme

The Ram is back for its sixth league edition of the 2022/23 season at the weekend.

And what better way to savour the spine-tingling atmosphere once again than with a treasured copy of ‘The Ram’ in hand?

The club has teamed up with Ignition Publications to bring the programme back for the first time since the 2019/20 season and there is no more fitting accompaniment to a matchday than The Ram, which is packed with exclusive interviews, content, statistics and insight.

The A5-size 52-page perfect-bound editions will be available to purchase around the ground for £3, but you can also reserve every league edition from the campaign via a seasonal subscription with Ignition Publications, with details available below.

This weekend's edition of The Ram includes:

An introductory piece from new Head Coach Paul Warne
A five-page interview of the new man in the dugout
Captain's verdict from Curtis Davies
A view from the press bench in the form of Derby Telegraph’s Leigh Curtis
The latest news from the Derby County Academy, including the Under-21s and Under-18s
A quick round-up of the latest Club and Ticketing news
A focus on the latest from Derby County Community Trust
A round-up of the latest Derby County Women news
An in-depth look at the threat Port Vale will pose the Rams

Order Your Copy Of The Ram

You can pre-order your copy of The Ram, or subscribe for the season, from the club’s official publishing partners Ignition Sports Media by visiting ignitionsportsmedia.com/products/derby-county-full-season-subscription-2022-23.