FA CUP: Blackburn striker Jack will have to watch big tie

A 20-minute run-out in Lincoln City’s 2-1 first round defeat at home to Morecambe means the 22-year-old forward from Rhostyllen is cup-tied for Rovers’ clash with Wrexham.

“It’s a massive game and I’d loved to have played in it but it’s just one of those things,” said Vale, who joined Blackburn as a schoolboy after scoring goals for fun in his Wrexham Junior League days with Brickfield Rangers and Borras Park Rangers.

“I had a loan spell at Lincoln but came back earlier this month and I’m hoping to get back into the first team or I may be going out on loan again.

“When the new manager came in I got a good run in the side but then picked up an injury so I was loaned out to Lincoln.

“I only played 20 minutes as a sub against Morecambe but that’s ruled me out of the FA Cup this season.

“But I’m looking forward to the game. We like to play good football and I know from watching a few games that Wrexham are quite direct.

“They’ve got dangerous players in Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin and they showed last season they can beat Championship opposition when they knocked Coventry out.

“They also have a strong back-line and Tozer’s throw-ins will always cause problems.”

Welsh Under 21 international Vale has been loaned out to Barrow, Rochdale and FC Halifax during his professional career at Blackburn where his biggest highlight so far was scoring the opener in a Carabao Cup win at West Ham last season - his one and only goal in Rovers’ famous blue and white shirt.

And it was during that stay at The Shay where he played against Wrexham in November 2021 where James Jones and Paul Mullin scored late on to secure a 2-1 win for Phil Parkinson’s side.

In the ground that day was Vale’s older brother, Andy, who is a regular goal-getter with one of Jack’s former teams, Brickfield.

“I don’t get that many chances to see Jack but I was at Halifax that night with Mullin getting the winner in the last minute,” said Andy, a driver for Sainsburys who has certainly been delivering the goods for Brickie with 50 goals in the last two seasons.

“I obviously follow Jack’s career and anyone he plays for I support although it’s a difficult one this one with me being a Wrexham lad.

“He’s done so well although he’ll probably tell you that I’m the better player!”

Former pupils at Clywedog High School, the Vales both came through the ranks at The New Saints where Blackburn plucked Jack from when he was a teenager.

“I moved when I was 14 and finished my schooling in Blackburn where I lived in digs,” said Jack, who had a former Wrexham coach help him settle into his new surroundings.

Ex-Reds’ assistant manager Billy Barr was a coach at Ewood Park in Vale’s early years in the academy sides.

“Billy was great,” added Vale. “He took me under his wing and after I had to wait about a year for my international clearance to finally go through, I played in his U16s and U18s side when I was a few years younger.”

Barr was at Wrexham when Vale remembers watching Wrexham as a youngster when Andy Morrell was in charge.

He said: “Andy Morrell was player-coach when I used to watch Wrexham - and it’s good to see the club back in the league.

“I’ve watched the Welcome to Wrexham documentary and it’s great. The club and the town deserves all the attention they are getting.”

Older brother Andy agrees and said: “Jack was actually born in Irvine in Scotland but I was born in Wrexham and it’s great to see the team doing so well.

“The town is buzzing since Ryan and Rob bought the club; it’s great for everyone.”

While Jack prepares for Monday’s big night in front of the television cameras, Andy will be hoping to add to his tally when Brickfield travel to St Asaph City in the Ardal North West League on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve got a very young side but we’re doing well and a top three finish has to be the aim,” said Andy.

A top three finish - plus another famous FA Cup giant-killing - will do just nicely for Wrexham too in what could be another momentous season.