Notes

Port Vale have scored 18 of their 26 goals in the second half, compared to Rovers 15 of their 23.

Vale's biggest home win this season was 3-1 against Grimsby and their heaviest home defeats were 2-0 against Fulham and Forest.

Port Vale went seven games without a win between October 2 and October 30, compared to Rovers' run of eight without success between Sept 28 and November 6.

Dave Brammer is Vale's bad boy with four yellows and a red card, closely followed by Matthew Carragher and Allen Tankard with five yellows apiece.

THE televised game at Sheffield United on Sunday, December 19 is all ticket.

Anyone turning up to Bramall Lane without a ticket will be turned away.

Tickets are now on sale priced £14 adult and £8 concessions.

IT seems that Ashley Ward has been spared the unenviable record of being Rovers' most relegated player from the Premiership.

He suffered the drop with Barnsley, Norwich and Rovers.

Nathan Blake holds that dubious honour with four relegations with Rovers, Sheffield United and twice with Bolton.

HUDDERSFIELD Town boss Steve Bruce has been named the Nationwide League First Division manager of the month after the former Manchester United defender took his Terriers storming into promotion contention.

Bruce's side won five out of six games, including impressive victories over promotion rivals Ipswich Town and leaders Manchester City at Maine Road last weekend.

IRISH international Damien Duff has missed out on the CISCO Young Player of the Month award for November.

The 20-year-old wideman has been in inspired form since Tony Parkes took over as caretaker, helping to mastermind Rovers impressive five-game unbeaten run.

But he has been overlooked in favour of Manchester City keeper Nicky Weaver for the latest award.

A panel consisting of Bobby Robson, Lawrie McMenemy, Kevin Keegan and Mick McCarthy singled out Weaver for his crucial part in City's rise to the top of the division.

Weaver is only the second keeper to receive a monthly award - the first was David Seaman when he was playing for Birmingham City.

Chairman of the judging panel, Bobby Robson said: "Nicky Weaver is top class.

"He is proving to be very popular, not just with City's fans but also amongst the manager community.

"I've had nothing but glowing reports on him all season."

England coach, Kevin Keegan, also offered his praise: "At the moment, Nicky is playing at the top of his game and I feel very lucky that we have such a talent coming through the England ranks."

ROVERS First Division rivals Barnsley have unveiled a promise to make football at Oakwell more accessible to low income families.

With that in mind, today's mouthwatering clash with promotion rivals Charlton Athletic has been chosen as the first ever 'Reds Out of Work Day.'

Despite booming ticket sales, the club has still made a commitment to provide North stand tickets for just £1 to anyone taking their ES40 or UB40 booklet to the box office before today's match.

In addition to that offer, anyone buying a ticket will also receive a £1 discount voucher, which is valid on hundreds of items in the Reds superstore.

ROVERS Reserves face Everton on Wednesday December 8 at Ewood Park.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.