Cast your vote below for Port Vale’s Reels in Motion Player of the Month for December 2022.
- December Reels in Motion Player of the Month Nominations
- Cast your vote for Port Vale’s December Player of the Month award
- Nathan Smith, Gavin Massey, James Wilson and Dan Jones nominated
It’s time to cast your vote for the Reels in Motion Port Vale Player of the Month award for December!
The Vale kicked off the month with a 2-0 victory at Plymouth Argyle, ending the Pilgrims’ 100% home league record thanks to a James Wilson double.
Narrow defeats at Bristol Rovers and Salford City – in League One and the Papa Johns Trophy respectively – followed, before Gavin Massey’s brilliant strike sealed a 1-0 win against Morecambe at Vale Park on Boxing Day, also bringing about a second clean sheet of the month for Darrell Clarke’s side.
A tough challenge at Sheffield Wednesday concluded the month, with the Vale closing out 2022 with defeat at Hillsborough as Michael Smith’s first-half penalty and fine second-half strike sealed the points for Darren Moore’s side.
The Nominees:
Nathan Smith
Smudge featured in all five of the Vale’s December matches, helping his side to two clean sheets in the month with more reliable performances in a Vale shirt.
The Madeley-based defender played his part as the Vale prevented Plymouth Argyle from scoring for only the second time in 26 games in all competitions to kick off the festive period in style.
The Vale’s Academy product is approaching 300 league appearances for the club and remains a key part of Clarke’s backline.
Gavin Massey
Another player to feature in each of the Vale’s five December matches, with Massey operating as a right wing back and striker in different games within the month.
Massey’s versatility has been beneficial to Clarke and his backroom staff throughout the month, with the former Wigan Athletic man scoring his second goal for the club in the Boxing Day win against Morecambe as the Vale climbed to 9th in the League One table.
James Wilson
Willo’s double in the opening game of December gave the Vale another memorable League One away win on our return to the third tier.
While he may not have known much about the first goal at Home Park, his second was a show of the undoubted quality he carries as he took a cross from Dennis Politic into his path and fired a powerful left-footed effort beyond Michael Cooper in the Argyle goal.
Dan Jones
The left-sided defender continues to impress in his debut campaign at League One level, with December seeing Jones thrive in a central role within Clarke’s back three.
Winner of November’s Reels in Motion Player of the Month, Jones made his 50th Vale appearance in the Boxing Day win against Morecambe.