FA Cup run a ´pain in the bum´ for giant-killing Port Vale boss Brady

Port Vale boss Jon Brady quipped that his team’s fairytale run to the FA Cup quarter-finals is a “pain in the bum” amid their battle to remain in League One.

Brady’s comments came after his team put their name in the hat for the final eight of the competition with a 1-0 win over Premier League side Sunderland at Vale Park on Sunday.

Ben Waine’s 28th-minute header proved to be the decisive moment for Port Vale, who reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in their history, after 1953-54.

They eliminated a Premier League opponent from the competition for the first time since the 1995-96 fourth round against Everton (after a replay).

However, Brady’s main concerns surround his team’s league form, with Port Vale bottom of the third tier and 11 points adrift of safety with 14 games of their campaign remaining.

While he says his team can take belief from their FA Cup display and try to forge a great escape, Brady conceded the team could do without further distractions.

“It’s a bit of a pain in the bum, to be honest!” Brady said. “It is really because what it’s doing for us is adding to our fixture list.

“And, as you saw, we lost one of our best centre-halves and we haven’t got the size of the squad to cope with the amount of games at the moment.

“It’s a privilege, but it’s tough as well.”

2 – Port Vale have reached the FA Cup quarter-final for only the second time in their history (also in 1953-54), while they have eliminated a Premier League opponent from the competition for the first time since 1995-96 against Everton (4th round). Valiant. pic.twitter.com/qpXp2PVbod

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2026

A potential tie with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea potentially awaits for Port Vale, but a trip to Bradford City on Wednesday was at the forefront of Brady’s mind.

“I wouldn’t have a clue because I’m thinking about Bradford on Wednesday,” Brady added.

Vale’s form in the cup competitions this season has seen them net as many goals in 14 games in cup competitions this season (15 EFL Trophy, nine FA Cup, two EFL Cup) as they have in 32 games in League One (26).

And Waine, who is Port Vale’s joint-top scorer in all competitions this season with eight goals (level with Devante Cole), became the first player to score three FA Cup goals in a single season for the club since James Wilson in 2021-22.

The forward is a boyhood Newcastle United fan, so he was keen to revel in the moment against the Magpies’ Tyne-Wear rivals.

“I always watched the Newcastle games against Sunderland and to be involved in this game and to score the winner is pretty special,” Waine said.

“”Not just for me, but the whole family. This is the dream, so you’ve got to enjoy living it.”