Port Vale prepare for Sunderland FA Cup tie, 30 years in the making

Port Vale are preparing to host Sunderland in the FA Cup Fifth Round, a stage the club has not reached for nearly 30 years The match is set to take place at Vale Park on Sunday, marking a significant occasion for the club and its supporters

The last time Port Vale competed in the fifth round was in 1996, an achievement that came after a memorable 2-1 fourth-round replay victory against then-FA Cup holders Everton This year's Port Vale FA Cup run saw them secure their place in the current round following an extra-time win over Bristol City The history of past glories is a notable feature at Vale Park, with memories of legendary manager John Rudge’s era decorating the stadium

Looking ahead to the Port Vale Sunderland FA Cup fixture, head coach Jon Brady has highlighted the importance of the occasion for creating new history. "It’s been 30 years since we’ve been to this stage – but it’s now about putting in a performance that can be memorable," Brady said He emphasized the desire to create lasting memories for the community, stating, "You want to put in performances they can go home talking about, and that they can be proud of. You want to see smiles on faces and people feeling really upbeat about the team" The team is also bolstered by players with cup pedigree, such as striker Andre Gray, who previously reached an FA Cup final