The Ex-Files

THERE HAVE BEEN NINE PLAYERS WHO HAVE TURNED OUT FOR BOTH TOWN AND VALE IN RECENT YEARS Club Historian, Phil Harrison profiles three

Neil Aspin

1989-99 2001-04

Apps: 410 I Goals: 3 Apps: 105 (13) I Goals: 1 Defender Neil Aspin had a youth career with Leeds United and went on to make 207 appearances for the Whites from 1982-89 before joining Port Vale and going on to play 410 games in 10 years for the Valiants. From there he moved to Darlington in July 1999, then Hartlepool United from where he joined Town for the 2001-02 season. He made his debut in the opening day 2-1 defeat at Lincoln United but helped Town go on to win NPL Division One. After being player/coach, he then began his managerial career with Town in the Conference North when he was appointed in January 2005. After four seasons in charge, he left to manage FC Halifax Town in April 2009. In 2015 he moved to Gateshead before rejoining former club Port Vale in October 2017 in League Two as manager where he stayed until January 2019.

Joe Anyon

2004-10

2005-06 (loan from Port Vale) Apps: 118 I Goals: 0 Apps: 13 I Goals: 1 A youth player at Port Vale, keeper Joe Anyon turned pro at the club in 2004 and went on to make 118 first team appearances for the Valiants before moving to Lincoln City in May 2010. Whilst at Vale, he had a spell on loan at Stafford Rangers before joining Town for the first of two loan spells, making two appearances in November and then rejoining Harrogate in February 2006, making a further nine appearances before returning to his parent club after breaking his jaw in April and then becoming a regular in the Valiants first team the following season. After two years at Lincoln, he has had spells at Macclesfield Town, Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra, Scunthorpe United and Chesterfield and is currently at Chorley.

John McCombe

2008-13

Apps: 211 I Goals: 16

2017-18

Apps: 16 I Goals: 1 Centre back John McCombe had a youth career at Huddersfield Town making 14 senior appearances between 2003-07. After a season with Hereford United he joined Port Vale in League Two in May 2008 making his debut in the opening day 2-1 win over Luton Town and went on to play a total of 211 games in five seasons at Vale Park. After spells at Mansfield Town, York City, Macclesfield Town and Chester, he joined Harrogate in February 2018, making his debut in a 3-1 win at Leamington. That season he helped Town get promoted to the National league via the pay-offs before being released and moving to Boston United briefly before switching to Hyde United in August 2018 where he has been ever since.

Paul Musslewhite

2007-08 A: 14 I G: 0 1992-00 A: 367 I G: 0

Craig James

2009-10 A: 24 I G: 2 2003-06 A: 83 I G: 1

Anthony Griffith

2014-15 A: 1 I G: 0 2008-12 A: 237 I G: 2

Jake Speight

2014-15 A: 17 (9) I G: 4 2010-11 (loan) A: 4 I G: 1

Callum Howe

2018-19 A: 48 (1) I G: 9 2017-18 A: 3 I G: 0

Scott Brown

2019-20 A: 5 (5) I G: 0 2008-09 A: 19 I G: 1