Following the release of the Sky Bet League Two fixtures on Wednesday morning, we look ahead to the 2017/18 season and what is in store for Vale. Here are a few dates you may want to mark in your diaries:
5th August 2017
This is the day that it starts all over again. Manager Michael Brown and his team will travel to Crawley Town on the opening day of the campaign looking to get off to a positive start. Former Australia and Liverpool forward Harry Kewell is now in charge of the Reds.
Our last trip to Broadfield Stadium back in December 2014 was a successful one as Louis Dodds stood out in a 2-1 triumph. The striker scored the second and decisive goal of the afternoon, but Brown also found the net as a player that day.
26th August 2017
After a season without facing rivals Crewe Alexandra, Vale will come up against them again this season. The Railwaymen will travel to Burslem on the 26th August in what will be a much anticipated fixture amongst supporters.
The last meeting between the two sides at Vale Park went in the way of the hosts as Louis Dodds bagged a brace in a 3-0 triumph that consigned Crewe to relegation. JJ Hooper scored the other goal of the afternoon for Rob Page's Valiants.
26th December 2017
Football really comes to the forefront during the festive period and the Boxing Day fixture is one supporters immediately look for. This year's clash with Coventry City will certainly be a good test as Mark Robins' men chase an immediate return to League One.
The Sky Blues' last visit to Vale Park came back in October 2016 and the midlands side registered their first league win of their relegation campaign.
1st January 2018
A short trip to Meadow Lane will kick things off in 2018 as the Valiants come up against Notts County. Kevin Nolan's outfit finished in the bottom half of League Two last season and he will be determined to better that this time around.
You have to rewind back to February 2015 in order to find our last trip to Nottingham. County did create a number of chances but they were wasteful, allowing Vale to run out slender 1-0 winners. Mark Marshall fired home the decisive strike early in the first half.
2nd April 2018
The reverse fixture versus Crewe Alexandra will take place towards the end of the season away from home. Vale supporters will undoubtedly travel to Gresty Road in good number as they look to earn the bragging rights.
It was the opening day of the 2015/16 campaign when we last travelled Cheshire and both sides had to settle for a point. The hosts were grateful for the performance of goalkeeper Ben Garratt as he denied both Louis Dodds and Sam Foley. Vale continued to apply pressure, but it ended as a 0-0 stalemate.
5th May 2018
Slightly later than last season, Vale's season will conclude in early May as Michael Brown will take his side to Cambridge United. The fate of both teams may well be decided before that weekend, but it could be a pivotal game if not.
Vale's last trip to the Abbey Stadium came way back in February 2002 as the teams met in a Division Two fixture. The Valiants put together a late surge towards the play-offs and Stephen McPhee scored the only goal of the game to secure an important three points.