Port Vale F.C.

Association football club in Stoke-on-Trent, England

Football club

Port Vale

Full name| Port Vale Football Club
Nickname(s)| The Valiants[1]
Short name| Vale, PVFC
Founded| 1876; 149 years ago (1876) (disputed)[2][a]
1879; 146 years ago (1879) (speculated)[4]
1907; 118 years ago (1907) (reestablished)[3]
Ground| Vale Park, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
Capacity| 15,036[5]
Coordinates| 53°2′59″N 2°11′33″W﻿ / ﻿53.04972°N 2.19250°W﻿ / 53.04972; -2.19250
Owner| Synsol Holdings Limited[6]
Chairlady| Carol Shanahan[7]
Manager| Darren Moore
League| EFL League Two
2023–24| EFL League One, 23rd of 24 (relegated)
Website| www.port-vale.co.uk

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

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|

Current season

Port Vale Football Club are a professional football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England, which compete in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. Vale are named after the valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal. They have never played top-flight football, and hold the record for the most seasons in the English Football League (113) without reaching the first tier.[8] After playing at the Athletic Ground in Cobridge and The Old Recreation Ground in Hanley, the club returned to Burslem when Vale Park was opened in 1950. Outside the ground is a statue of Roy Sproson, who played 842 competitive games for the club. The club's traditional rivals are Stoke City, and games between the two are known as the Potteries derby.

After becoming one of the more prominent football clubs in Staffordshire, Burslem Port Vale were invited to become founder members of the Football League Second Division in 1892. They spent 13 non-consecutive seasons in the division, punctuated by two seasons in the Midland League before they resigned due to financial difficulties and entered liquidation in 1907. The name of Port Vale continued in the North Staffordshire Federation League, and this new club was successful enough to be reinstated into the Football League in 1919. They spent 16 non-consecutive seasons in the Second Division, punctuated by winning the Third Division North title in 1929–30, before dropping back into the third tier for a much longer stay at the end of the 1935–36 campaign. The 1953–54 season saw manager Freddie Steele's "Iron Curtain" defence win both a Third Division North title and a semi-final place in the FA Cup. They failed to build on this success, however, although they went on to finish as champions of the first Fourth Division season under Norman Low's stewardship in 1958–59.

The club had little success throughout the 1960s and 1970s, despite being briefly managed by Stanley Matthews, and were forced to apply for re-election after breaking FA rules on illegal payments in 1968. Gordon Lee guided the club to promotion back to the Third Division the following season, where they would remain until relegation at the end of the 1977–78 campaign. John McGrath steered the club to promotion in 1982–83, though he departed after relegation became inevitable the following season. His assistant, John Rudge, became the club's longest-serving and most successful manager, leading the club from 1983 to 1999. Under his leadership Port Vale won promotions in 1985–86, 1988–89 and 1993–94, lifted the Football League Trophy in 1993 and reached a post-war record finish of eighth in the second tier in the 1996–97 season.

After Rudge's reign ended, the club entered a decline, slipping into the fourth tier whilst twice entering administration in 2003 and 2012. The decline was arrested when manager Micky Adams achieved automatic promotion from League Two in the 2012–13 season, though they were relegated back into League Two at the end of the 2016–17 season after a failed experiment with a continental staff and playing style. Carol Shanahan bought the club in 2019 and manager Darrell Clarke secured promotion out of the League Two play-offs at the end of the 2021–22 season, though they were relegated at the end of the 2023–24 season.

## History

[edit]

For a more detailed look at the club's history, see History of Port Vale F.C.

For a statistical breakdown by season, see List of Port Vale F.C. seasons.

The official story reported on the club website is that Port Vale F.C. was formed in 1876, following a meeting at Port Vale House, from where the club was supposed to have taken its name.[2] However, documented evidence of football from that era is exceptionally scarce and research by historian Jeff Kent indicated that it was probably formed in 1879 as an offshoot of Porthill Victoria F.C. and took its name from the valley of canal ports where the team played.[9][10] In the club's early days the team played their football at Limekiln Lane, Longport and from 1880 at Westport.[11] The club moved to Moorland Road in Burslem in 1884, changing its name to Burslem Port Vale in the process, though stayed in Burslem for just one year before both turning professional and moving to Cobridge to play at the Athletic Ground.[12] In 1892, the club were invited to become founder members of the Football League Second Division after proving themselves a strong club in the Midland League.[13] They spent 13 seasons in the Second Division, either side of a two-season return to the Midland League (1896–97 and 1897–98).[14]

Chart of table positions of Port Vale in the Football League.

The club were forced to resign from the league at the end of the 1906–07 season and were subsequently liquidated.[15] However, the name of Port Vale was continued after ambitious minor league side Cobridge Church opted to change their name. The new club subsequently moved into their new home of the Old Recreation Ground in Hanley in 1912. They returned to the Football League in October 1919, taking over the fixture list of Leeds City in the Second Division, who were forced to disband because of financial irregularities.[16] Wilf Kirkham made his Vale debut in October 1923, and over the next ten years would score a club record 164 league and cup goals, including a club record 41 goals in the 1926–27 campaign.[17]

The club were relegated for the first time at the end of the 1928–29 season, going from the Second Division to the Third Division North.[18] They came up as champions the following season and in the 1930–31 season were placed fifth in the second tier of English football, their highest ever league finish.[19] Vale went to beat Chesterfield by a club record 9–1 margin on 24 September 1932.[20] However, after these achievements, the club were once again relegated in the 1935–36 season and remained in the third tier until World War II.[21]

Port Vale moved into their new home of Vale Park in 1950, and a year later Freddie Steele was appointed club manager.[22] Steele quickly established himself at the club, masterminding the celebrated 'Iron Curtain' defence.[22] The 1953–54 season saw Vale winning the Third Division North title as well as reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup, losing out to eventual winners West Bromwich Albion in controversial fashion, in which an Albert Leake goal was disallowed for offside.[22] Three years later, the club were again relegated, and once again became founder members of a division – this time the Football League Fourth Division.[22] Manager Norman Low instilled an attacking philosophy and in the 1958–59 season guided the team to the Fourth Division title with a club record 110 goals scored.[22]

Vale ended a six-season stay in the Third Division with relegation at the end of the 1964–65 campaign.[23] In 1967, former Ballon d'Or winner Stanley Matthews succeeded Jackie Mudie as manager. However, he resigned a year later after Vale were expelled from the Football League for allegedly making illegal payments to players in contravention of FA rules – this punishment was reduced on appeal to a re-election vote, which the club won.[24] Gordon Lee took the helm following this punishment, and steered the club to promotion at the end of the 1969–70 campaign.[25] However, the 1970s did not prove a successful period for the Valiants, as the club languished in the bottom half of the Third Division for much of the decade. Lee left in 1974, and a succession of managers failed to prevent relegation in 1977–1978.[26] The 1979–80 season saw Port Vale finish 20th in the Fourth Division (88th overall), the club's worst ever finish.[27] Despite this poor finish in John McGrath's first season, they eventually achieved their first success in thirteen years in 1982–83 by winning promotion out of the Fourth Division in third place.[28]

Following McGrath's dismissal, his assistant John Rudge was appointed manager in December 1983.[29] Though he was unable to halt Vale's immediate return to the bottom tier of the Football League, he succeeded in steadying the ship.[30] Helped by the goals of prolific Welshman Andy Jones, Vale were promoted back to the third tier in 1985–86 after losing just once at Vale Park in the league all season.[31] A major cup upset came on 30 January 1988, when Vale defeated First Division side Tottenham Hotspur 2–1, thanks to a superb strike from Ray Walker.[32] After three seasons in the third tier, Rudge's Vale achieved another promotion in 1988–89 after Robbie Earle scored the winning goal at Vale Park to complete a 2–1 aggregate play-off final victory over Bristol Rovers; this marked the club's return to the Second Division after a 33-year absence.[33]

Striker Tom Pope's goals helped the club to win promotion in 2012–13.

Vale suffered relegation on the final day of the 1991–92 league campaign, and though they bounced back well by staying in the promotion picture for most of the 1992–93 season, they narrowly missed out as runners-up to local rivals Stoke City after being overtaken by Bolton Wanderers on the final day.[34] Instead Vale would visit Wembley twice in just over a week. They firstly ran out as 2–1 winners against Stockport County in the final of the Football League Trophy.[35] However, they then lost 3–0 in the play-off final to West Bromwich Albion.[36] Vale recovered from this setback and went on to confirm promotion as runners-up on the final day of the 1993–94 season. During the 1995–96 season, Vale recorded one of their greatest FA Cup giant killings when they defeated holders Everton 2–1.[37] The team also had some success in the Anglo-Italian Cup, as they qualified for the final at Wembley, where they lost 5–2 to the Italian Serie B side Genoa.[38] Vale made a slow start to the 1996–97 campaign, with protests forming against chairman Bill Bell, and the sale of Steve Guppy to Leicester City for £800,000. Despite this, Rudge masterminded an eighth-place finish – their highest in the pyramid since 1931.

In 1997–98, relegation was avoided on the final day of the season with a 4–0 win over Huddersfield Town, at the expense of Manchester City and Stoke City.[39] The next season was another struggle. John Rudge was controversially sacked in January 1999.[40] He was replaced by former player Brian Horton, who spent big to secure the club's second consecutive final-day escape from relegation.[41] There was no avoiding relegation in 1999–2000, though, as they were some thirteen points short of safety. Horton led the club to Football League Trophy success in 2001, as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Steve Brooker scored the goals to secure a 2–1 victory over Brentford in the final at the Millennium Stadium.[42] In December 2002, Bill Bell called in the administrators, with the club around £1.5 million in debt.[43]

The club came out of administration in 2003–04 under a fan-ownership consortium headed by Bill Bratt's Valiant 2001 consortium.[44] However, Horton left in February 2004, unwilling to accept the financial cutbacks imposed by the new board, and was replaced by former player Martin Foyle.[45] Foyle was dismissed in November 2007, and his successor, Lee Sinnott, proved unable to prevent the club from being relegated into League Two after a 23rd-place finish and also oversaw a defeat to Southern League Division One Midlands club Chasetown in the FA Cup.[46] Sinnott was sacked in September 2008 and following an unsuccessful tenure from Dean Glover, Micky Adams was appointed as the club's new manager in June 2009.[47][48] Adams left the club in December 2010 with Vale second in the table and Jim Gannon was selected to finish the promotion job.[49][50] However, Gannon's turbulent reign ended after 74 days.[51] Adams returned as manager at the end of the 2010–11 campaign, but this was not enough to appease fans who demanded a change in the boardroom after a series of promised investments failed to come to fruition.[52]

Genuine hopes of promotion in 2011–12 were brought to an end after the club was issued with a winding up petition by HM Revenue and Customs on 29 February 2012; the club were by this time unable to pay tax bills, creditors, or staff wages.[53] The club entered administration on 9 March.[54] The club finally exited administration on 20 November 2012,[55] and Tom Pope scored 33 goals to fire Vale to promotion back to League One with a third-place finish.[56] They stabilised in the division under new boss Rob Page, before chairman Norman Smurthwaite orchestrated the departure of Page and his squad in favour of the club's first foreign manager, Bruno Ribeiro, in June 2016.[57][58] The result was relegation back into League Two at the end of the 2016–17 season, after which Smurthwaite resigned as chairman.[59] He returned to the role the following season and threatened to put the club into administration if a buyer was not found by May 2019, a fate which was avoided when Carol and Kevin Shanahan completed their takeover.[60] Manager Darrell Clarke returned from close family bereavement to lead Vale through the League Two play-off semi-finals at the end of the 2021–22 season.[61] Promotion was secured with a 3–0 victory over Mansfield Town in the final.[62] Clarke was sacked on 17 April 2023,[63] and was succeeded by his assistant Andy Crosby. They reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time during the 2023–24 season.[64] Crosby was sacked in February,[65] and was replaced by Darren Moore.[66] However, Port Vale were relegated to League Two at the end of the season.[67]

## Club identity

[edit]

The kit used in Vale's first League season (1892)[68]

Around November 1920, club chairman Frank Huntbach came up with the nickname of "the Valiants".[69] The following year the club adopted their familiar white and black strip after having experimented with numerous colours, including plain red, gold and black stripes, claret and blue, and even during 1898–1902 playing in the red and white stripes now used by rivals Stoke City for over a century. However, the kit soon changed to plain red shirts with white shorts in 1923, a style which lasted until 1934, when the white shirt, black shorts and socks kit was re-adopted. Between 1958 and 1963, the club adopted various gold and black designs before once again returning to the black-and-white theme.[68]

The initial club crest was modelled on the coat of arms of the Borough of Burslem.[70] From 1952 to 1956 the club used a Staffordshire knot with the letters "PVFC" inside it.[70] Four years later a more complex badge emerged, again based on the Burslem coat of arms but this time also featuring the scythe of the Tunstall arms, the fretted cross of Audley, and two Josiah Wedgwood pots.[68] The crest was removed in 1964, and replaced by a 'P.V.F.C.' monogramme, which in turn was abandoned in 1978.[68] For the next four years the club switched to a design of a knight on a horse with the text "Port Vale" at the top.[70] From 1982 the club introduced a design based on that of a schoolchild who won a competition, which featured a bottle oven and the Stafford knot, associated with the city of Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry and the history of the local area.[68][70] The current crest was introduced in February 2013, which was a modern rehash of the crest the club introduced in 1956; it included local historical references: the Portland Vases representing Josiah Wedgwood, the Scythe coming from the house crest of the Sneyd family and the silver cross appearing from the house crest of the Audley family, as well as the Stafford knot above the crest.[71]

A table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:[72]

Kit suppliers

Dates  | Supplier
1974–1976  | Admiral
1977–1978  | Bukta
1978–1979  | Admiral
1980–1983  | Adidas
1983–1986  | Hobott
1986–1987  | Bourne Sports
1987–1988  | New Olympic
1989–1991  | Bourne Sports
1991–1995  | Valiant Leisure
1995–2001  | Mizuno
2001–2003  | Patrick
2003–2012  | Vandanel
2012–2014  | Sondico
2014–2018  | Erreà
2018–2019  | BLK
2019–2023  | Erreà
2023–  | Puma
Shirt sponsors

Dates  | Sponsor
1981–1982  | BGR
1983–1984  | PMT
1984–1985  | EDS
1985–1986  | ECCI
1986–1987  | Browns Transport
1987–1990  | ABC Minolta Copiers
1990–1992  | Kalamazoo
1992–2003  | Tunstall Assurance
2003–2005  | Tricell
2005–2007  | BGC Gas
2007–2008  | Sennheiser
2008–2012  | Harlequin Property
2012–2013  | UK Windows Systems Ltd
2013–2017  | GMB
2017–2019  | Manorshop.com
2019–  | Synectics Solutions

## Grounds

[edit]

Vale Park, Port Vale's home ground since 1950.

Main articles: Athletic Ground (Cobridge), Old Recreation Ground, and Vale Park

When they joined the English Football League in 1892, Port Vale played at their fourth home ground. They began at the Meadows in Limekiln Lane, Longport, now Scott Lidgett Road,[73] and then moved on to Westport Meadows in 1881, where they played for three years.[73] An area prone to flooding, today Westport Lake now lies where the ground once stood.[73] In 1884, the club moved to the Burslem Football and Athletic ground, where they would stay for just two years.[73] Located close to Burslem railway station, the club took the area's name.[73] The first match was a 6–0 win over Everton in a friendly and the ground also hosted FA Cup matches for the first time.[73] It proved to be inadequate however. Port Vale moved on to the Athletic Ground.[73] Located opposite the church on Waterloo Road, directly on the Hanley and Burslem tram line, it played host to the club for 27 years, including twelve Football League seasons.[12] It was so named as it also hosted athletics.

The Old Recreation Ground was Vale's home from 1913 to 1950 and was located in Hanley, standing on what is now the multi-storey car park for the Potteries Shopping Centre. The club endured hard financial times during World War II and sold the ground to the council, who were reluctant to allow the club to rent it back.[74] The club received £13,500 for the ground, which they needed to pay off a £3,000 debt.[75]

Vale Park has been Port Vale's home ground since 1950; it is located on Hamil Road, opposite Burslem Park. Originally planned to be as massive as an 80,000-capacity stadium, the development was known as the "Wembley of the North".[76] However, the £50,000 project opened at a capacity of 40,000 (360 seated), which is still highly ambitious.[74] The capacity was increased to a sell-out of 49,768 for an FA Cup tie with Aston Villa in 1960.[74] The stadium underwent numerous upgrades after Bill Bell was elected as chairman in 1987, who aimed to make it "fit for the Premiership".[77] Outside the ground is a statue to Roy Sproson, who played 842 competitive games for the club.[78]

## Rivalries and supporters

[edit]

Main article: Potteries derby

Average home attendances from 1892–93 to 2009–10.

The club has a fierce rivalry with Stoke City, as City are based in the town of Stoke-upon-Trent.[79] Stoke and Vale first met on 2 December 1882 and played out a total of 44 Football League games up until 10 February 2002, when the two clubs last met in the Second Division; Stoke won the first match 1–0, whilst Vale were 1–0 victors in the latest encounter.[80]

Port Vale also maintain a fiery rivalry with Crewe Alexandra, which has taken on greater significance since Stoke were promoted to a higher league than Vale at the end of the 2001–02 season.[81] One study in 2019 ranked the Port Vale-Stoke City rivalry as the joint-28th biggest rivalry in English professional football, with the Port Vale-Crewe Alexandra game being the 14th biggest rivalry.[82] Vale also maintain rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Walsall, as well as less significant rivalries with Burton Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Macclesfield Town.[83][84]

The club's official matchday programme was voted the best in League Two in 2010–11.[85] Supporters also produced three unofficial fanzines. The oldest are The Memoirs of Seth Bottomley printed in the 1990s but now defunct and the Vale Park Beano, which has been printed since 1997; the Beano took its name as a dig at Stoke's stadium being constructed partially with the funding of the local council.[86][87] Derek I'm Gutted! is also a long-running fanzine, and has been printed since August 2000; the name was inspired by a remark by then-manager Brian Horton to local journalist Derek Davis following a defeat to Tranmere Rovers.[88] The OneValeFan fansite is the largest independent Port Vale website and has been running since 1996; it was originally titled There's only one Vale fan in Bristol? in reference to founder Rob Fielding's location.[89][90] The Ale and the Vale podcast won the Real EFL League One Podcast of the Year award in 2023.[91]

Robbie Williams warming up for the 2006 edition of Soccer Aid

The club's most famous supporter is singer Robbie Williams, raised in Stoke-on-Trent. Before administration in 2012, he was a major shareholder, having bought £240,000 worth of available shares in the club in February 2006.[92] For this investment, a restaurant at Vale Park is named after him.[93] For the football game FIFA 2000, he provided an original theme song with "It's Only Us", on the condition that Port Vale should be included in the game, which they were, located in the Rest of World section. This song was also featured on the only FIFA Soundtrack CD release by EMI.[94] In 2005 Williams founded Los Angeles Vale F.C., a Super Metro League team in the United States, named after Port Vale and based at his L.A. home. His best friend, TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes, is also a Vale fan.[95] Another famous fan is darts legend Phil Taylor; Burslem born, "The Power" is a 16-time world champion of the sport.[96] The singer Simon Webbe was signed up to the club's youth team as a teenager until a torn ligament at age seventeen put an end to any sporting ambitions.[97] The children's illustrator and author Bob Wilson, is also a fan.[98] His Stanley Bagshaw series of books is set in an area based on Stoke, and the protagonist supports a thinly disguised version of the Vale; even basing a book on their 1954 Cup run – albeit with a successful conclusion.[99]

## Records and statistics

[edit]

Further information: List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics and Port Vale F.C. league record by opponent

Gareth Ainsworth, the club's most expensive signing, at £500,000, was sold for a £1.5 million profit after 13 months.

Port Vale's highest Football League finish was fifth place in the Second Division (second tier) in 1930–31, whilst their best FA Cup finish saw them reach the semi-finals in 1953–54.[100] In the 2023–24 season, they reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time.[64] Port Vale's largest Football League victory was a 9–1 win over Chesterfield in the Second Division in 1932, while the heaviest loss was 10–0 to Sheffield United in 1892 in the same division.[100] Other club record scorelines include a 16–0 victory over Middlewich in a friendly in 1884 and a 12–0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Staffordshire Senior Cup in 1891.[100]

The record for the most appearances for Port Vale is held by Roy Sproson, who played 842 matches in all competitions.[101] Sproson also holds the record for the most league appearances for the club, with 760. His nephew, Phil Sproson, made 500 appearances in all competitions. Wilf Kirkham is the club's top goalscorer with 164 goals in all competitions, which includes 153 in the league and 11 in the FA Cup.[102] Kirkham's tally of 41 goals in the 1926–27 season is also a club record.[103] Tom Pope and Martin Foyle have also scored more than 100 goals for the club. The first player to be capped at the international level while playing for Vale was Teddy Peers when he made his debut for Wales.[100] The most capped player is Chris Birchall, who earned 27 caps for Trinidad and Tobago while at the club.[104] The first Vale player to score in an international match was Sammy Morgan, who scored for Northern Ireland against Spain on 16 February 1972.[105]

The club's highest attendance at Vale Park is 49,768 against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on 20 February 1960, whilst the lowest is 554 against Middlesbrough U21 in the EFL Trophy on 16 October 2018.[100] The highest transfer fee received for a Vale player is £2,000,000 from Wimbledon for Gareth Ainsworth on 29 October 1998, while Ainsworth was also the most expensive player bought, costing £500,000 from Lincoln City on 11 September 1997.[106] The youngest player to play for the club is Nelson Agho, who was aged 15 years and 262 days on his debut against Walsall in the EFL Trophy on 13 November 2018.[107] The oldest player is Tom Holford, who played his last match aged 46 years and 68 days against Derby County in the Second Division on 5 April 1924.[108]

## Players

[edit]

Club mascot Boomer. Port Vale Women's captain Meg Baldwin.

Further information: List of Port Vale F.C. players, List of Port Vale F.C. players (1–24 appearances), and Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year

### Current squad

[edit]

As of 23 March 2025[109]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

2  | DF |  WAL | Mitch Clark
4  | DF |  ENG | Ben Heneghan
5  | DF |  ENG | Connor Hall (vice-captain)
6  | DF |  ENG | Nathan Smith
7  | MF |  SCO | George Byers (vice-captain)
8  | MF |  ENG | Ben Garrity (captain)
9  | FW |  ENG | Jayden Stockley
10  | MF |  RSA | Ethan Chislett
11  | FW |  IRL | Ronan Curtis
13  | GK |  ENG | Ben Amos
16  | MF |  ENG | Jason Lowe
18  | MF |  ENG | Ryan Croasdale
19  | FW |  SUI | Lorent Tolaj
20  | MF |  ENG | Tom Sang
21  | FW |  ENG | James Plant
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

22  | DF |  ENG | Jesse Debrah
23  | DF |  ENG | Jack Shorrock
24  | DF |  ENG | Kyle John
26  | MF |  ENG | Rico Richards (on loan from Aston Villa)
27  | MF |  WAL | Finn Ashworth (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
29  | GK |  ENG | Arron Davies
30  | DF |  ENG | Ben Lomax
32  | FW |  ENG | Antwoine Hackford (on loan from Sheffield United)
33  | DF |  ENG | Jaheim Headley
35  | MF |  ENG | Karl Agnero
37  | FW |  ENG | Jemiah Umolu (on loan from Crystal Palace)
38  | MF |  ENG | Rhys Walters
40  | GK |  ENG | Nathan Broome (on loan from Swansea City)
42  | DF |  ENG | Sam Hart
45  | MF |  ENG | Rekeem Harper

#### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

3  | DF |  ENG | Dan Jones (on loan at Gateshead)
14  | MF |  BEL | Funso Ojo (on loan at Shrewsbury Town)
17  | FW |  IRL | Ruari Paton (on loan at Dundee United)
25  | MF |  ENG | Diamond Edwards (on loan at Hampton & Richmond Borough)
28  | FW |  ENG | Andrew Buah (on loan at Belper Town)
31  | MF |  ENG | Louis Francis (on loan at Stafford Rangers)
34  | DF |  ENG | Logan Cousins (on loan at Sandbach United)
-- | MF |  ENG | Liam Brazier (on loan at Stafford Rangers)

### Women's team

[edit]

Port Vale Ladies was formed in 2017 and won the Staffordshire County League in their maiden season before they reached the West Midlands Premier Division at the start of the 2024–25 season.[110][111] The name was changed to Port Vale F.C. Women at the end of the 2020–21 season.[112] The women's section also runs girls teams at under-9, under-11, under-12, under-13, under-14 and under-16 level.[110]

## Club management

[edit]

Former manager Andy Crosby.

### Boardroom and backroom staff

[edit]

Position  | Name  | Nationality

|
|

Manager: | Darren Moore |  Jamaican
Assistant Manager: | Wayne Jacobs |  English
Lead First Team Coach: | Jamie Smith |  English
First Team Coach: | Lee Bradbury |  English
Goalkeeping Coach: | Gary Walsh |  English
Player Development Phase Coach: | Matt Done |  English
Honorary Club Presidents: | John Rudge & Robbie Williams |  English

Source
Port Vale F.C.[113]

### Managerial history

[edit]

Further information: List of Port Vale F.C. managers

Tom Morgan was the first Port Vale manager to win a league title with the club, taking them to the top of the Third Division North at the end of the 1929–30 season.[114] Freddie Steele repeated the feat during the 1953–54 campaign, also taking the club to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.[115] He was followed by Norman Low, who led Vale to the Fourth Division title in 1958–59.[116] Gordon Lee (1969–70), John McGrath (1982–83), Micky Adams (2012–13) and Darrell Clarke (2021–22) also secured promotions.[117] John Rudge led the club to three promotions – 1985–86, 1988–89 and 1993–94 – as well as a Football League Trophy title in 1993.[118] His successor, Brian Horton also secured a Football League Trophy final victory in 2001.[119]

## Honours and achievements

[edit]

The 2022 EFL League Two play-off trophy

League

* Best league performance: fifth, 1930–31 (level 2)
* Third Division North / Third Division / Second Division (level 3)
* Champions: 1929–30, 1953–54[100]
* 2nd place promotion: 1993–94[120]
* Play-off winners: 1989[100]
* Fourth Division / League Two (level 4)
* Champions: 1958–59[100]
* 3rd place promotion: 1982–83, 2012–13[120]
* 4th place promotion: 1969–70, 1985–86[100]
* Play-off winners: 2022[62]

Cup

* Football League Trophy
* Winners: 1992–93, 2000–01[120]
* Best FA Cup performance: semi-finalists, 1953–54[100]
* Best EFL Cup performance: quarter-finalists, 2023–24[64]

## References and notes

[edit]

### General references

[edit]

* Kent, Jeff (1990). The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale. Stafford: Witan Books. ISBN 978-09-50898-14-8.
* Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879–1993. Stafford: Witan Books. ISBN 978-09-50898-19-3.
* Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities: A Biographical Dictionary of Players, Officials and Supporters. Stafford: Witan Books. ISBN 978-09-52915-20-1.
* Kent, Jeff (2011). What If There Had Been No Port in the Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories!. Stafford: Witan Books. ISBN 978-09-52915-28-7.

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ According to Port Vale's official website – and badge – the club were formed in 1876. However, research from historian Jeff Kent indicates that the club were more likely founded in 1879.[2][3]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ "Port Vale Valiants nickname and the story of how the club adopted it". onevalefan.co.uk. 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
2. ^ a b c "A Brief Club History". port-vale.co.uk. 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
3. ^ a b Kent 1990, p. 71
4. ^ Kent 1990, p. 8
5. ^ Baggaley, Michael (1 May 2022). "Port Vale sell out home stands for first time in 32 years". StokeonTrentLive. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
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7. ^ "Port Vale: New board announced by League Two club". BBC Sport. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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23. ^ Kent 1990, p. 213
24. ^ Matthews, Stanley; Scott, Les (2000), The Way It Was, Headline, p. 555, ISBN 0-7472-6427-9
25. ^ Kent 1990, p. 224
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34. ^ "Dodgy penalty was not enough for a promotion". The Sentinel. 19 February 2011. p. 26.
35. ^ "Vale rise to the occasion with a win at Wembley". The Sentinel. 19 March 2011.
36. ^ McOwan, Gavin (2002). The Essential History of West Bromwich Albion. Headline. pp. 158–159\. ISBN 0-7553-1146-9.158-159&rft.pub=Headline&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=0-7553-1146-9&rft.aulast=McOwan&rft.aufirst=Gavin&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Port+Vale+F.C." class="Z3988">
37. ^ Abberley, John (22 August 2009). "How Port Vale proved to be Everton's FA Cup Bogie team". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
38. ^ "Anglo-Italian Cup 1995/96". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
39. ^ Baggaley, Michael (3 May 2020). "Last day drama when Port Vale stayed up but Man City and Stoke City went down". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
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41. ^ "Profile on Brian Horton". BBC Sport. 18 April 2001. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
42. ^ "Matt Carragher tribute: The day he captained Vale to Trophy glory". Stoke Sentinel. 30 December 2016. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
43. ^ "Vale go into administration". BBC Sport. 16 December 2002. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
44. ^ "Vale fans to take control". BBC Sport. 7 April 2003. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
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49. ^ "Micky Adams confirmed as Sheffield United manager". BBC Sport. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
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51. ^ "Manager Jim Gannon parts company with Port Vale". BBC Sport. 21 March 2011. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
52. ^ Steve Shaw (13 May 2011). "Port Vale: Micky Adams is back to finish the job he started". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
53. ^ "Port Vale: Winding-up petition served against Valiants by HMRC". The Sentinel. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
54. ^ "Port Vale formally enter administration". BBC Sport. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
55. ^ "Port Vale exit administration as Paul Wildes completes takeover". BBC Sport. 20 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
56. ^ Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012–2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1
57. ^ Bishop, Matthew (8 December 2016). "Rob Page denies animosity ahead of Port Vale return". The League Paper. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
58. ^ "Port Vale: Bruno Ribeiro appointed as new manager at League One club". BBC Sport. 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
59. ^ "Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale chairman steps down". BBC Sport. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
60. ^ "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
61. ^ Baggaley, Michael (19 May 2022). "Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon". StokeonTrentLive. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
62. ^ a b Aloia, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Vale beat 10-man Mansfield to reach League One". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
63. ^ "Club Statement | Port Vale part company with manager Darrell Clarke". Port Vale F.C. 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
64. ^ a b c "Mansfield Town 0–1 Port Vale: Alfie Devine winner sends Valiants into first quarter-final". BBC Sport. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
65. ^ "Andy Crosby: Port Vale sack manager after one win in eight games". BBC Sport. 5 February 2024. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
66. ^ "Darren Moore: Port Vale appoint ex-WBA, Doncaster, Huddersfield & Sheff Wed boss". BBC Sport. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
67. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
68. ^ a b c d e "Kit History". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
69. ^ Kent 1990, p. 100
70. ^ a b c d "A brief history of Port Vale badges and crests". onevalefan.co.uk. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
71. ^ "Port Vale new crest 2013". Port Vale F.C. official website. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
72. ^ "Port Vale". historicalkits.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
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74. ^ a b c Sherwin, Phil (24 August 2010). "Port Vale: 60-years ago today, Vale came back home to play". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
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77. ^ Kent 2011, p. 168
78. ^ "Port Vale Roy Sproson statue to be unveiled after 10-year wait". BBC News. 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
79. ^ Spinks, Martin; Michael Baggaley (30 November 2010). "Football: Contrasting arrest figures for Stoke and Vale". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
80. ^ Kent, Jeff (November 1998). The Potteries Derbies. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-3-5.
81. ^ Baggaley, Michael (25 August 2017). "Yes, Port Vale v Crewe is a derby and there's plenty at stake, says Tom Pope". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
82. ^ Smith, Peter (9 September 2019). "Stoke v Port Vale named in top 30 English football rivalries, below Vale v Crewe". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
83. ^ "Walsall 0-1 Port Vale". 14 February 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
84. ^ "Shrewsbury Town vs Port Vale: More police called in for derby". 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
85. ^ "Vale Programme Wins Award". port-vale.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
86. ^ "Happy 25th Birthday". The Vale Park Beano. 126.
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88. ^ "Kelly high as double sinks Vale; Tranmere 2 Port Vale 1". The Mirror. 19 April 2000. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
89. ^ "The Guardian: About OVF". onevalefan.co.uk. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
90. ^ Fielding, Rob (29 May 2022). "Six thoughts after the play-offs: sore losers Swindon, magnanimous Mansfield, wonderful Wilson and Clarke's character". onevalefan.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
91. ^ Rollings, Kirsty; Baggaley, Michael (24 April 2023). "Fund-raising Port Vale podcast set to defend League One title". StokeonTrentLive. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
92. ^ "Robbie buys into Vale" Archived 5 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Stoke & Staffordshire, 27 February 2006
93. ^ "Williams given Port Vale honour". BBC News. 6 July 2006. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
94. ^ "FIFA 2000: Major League Soccer". Moby Games. 20 August 2006. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
95. ^ "Famous Port Vale Fans". Aveit.net. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
96. ^ "Famous Fan: Phil 'The Power' Taylor". English Football League. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Port Vale FC.

* Official website

* v
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Port Vale Football Club

* Honours
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Club|

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Notable seasons|

* 1953–54 (FA Cup semi-finalists)
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Grounds|

* Limekin Lane (1876–81)
* Westport (1881–84)
* Moorland Road (1884–86)
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Clubs|

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|

Former clubs|

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Finances|

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Sponsors|

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Associated competitions|

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* v
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EFL League Two

Seasons|

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Clubs|

| 2024–25 clubs|

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* Chesterfield
* Colchester United
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* Fleetwood Town
* Gillingham
* Grimsby Town
* Harrogate Town
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Morecambe
* Newport County
* Notts County
* Port Vale
* Salford City
* Swindon Town
* Tranmere Rovers
* Walsall

|

Former clubs|

* AFC Bournemouth
* Aldershot Town
* Barnet
* Blackpool
* Bolton Wanderers
* Boston United
* Brentford
* Bristol Rovers
* Burton Albion
* Bury
* Cambridge United
* Chester City
* Coventry City
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* Dagenham & Redbridge
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* Kidderminster Harriers
* Leyton Orient
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* Mansfield Town
* Northampton Town
* Oldham Athletic
* Oxford United
* Peterborough United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Portsmouth
* Rochdale
* Rotherham United
* Rushden & Diamonds
* Scunthorpe United
* Shrewsbury Town
* Southend United
* Stevenage
* Stockport County
* Sutton United
* Swansea City
* Torquay United
* Wrexham
* Wycombe Wanderers
* Yeovil Town
* York City

Competition|

* Teams (winners)
* Managers
* Referees
* Stadia

Statistics and awards|

* Records
* EFL Awards
* Golden Boot
* Golden Glove
* Manager of the Month
* Player of the Month
* Hat-tricks
* Young Player of the Month

Finances|

* Club Owners
* Premier League–Football League gulf
* Parachute and solidarity payments

Sponsors|

* Coca-Cola (2004–10)
* Npower (2010–13)
* Sky Bet (2013–)

Associated competitions|

* FA Cup
* EFL Cup
* EFL Trophy
* Play-offs

Prospects|

* Promotion to EFL League One
* Relegation to National League

* v
* t
* e

City and unitary authority of Stoke-on-Trent

Areas,
towns and wards|

* Abbey Green ward
* Abbey Hulton
* Baddeley Green
* Basford
* Bentilee
* Birches Head
* Blurton
* Blythe Bridge
* Bradeley
* Bucknall
* Burslem
* Chell
* Cliffe Vale
* Cobridge
* Dresden
* Etruria
* Fenton
* Florence
* Ford Green Brook
* Fowlea Brook
* Goldenhill
* Hanford
* Hanley
* Hartshill
* Hem Heath
* Heron Cross
* Lightwood
* Longport
* Longton
* Lyme Brook
* Meir
* Middleport
* Milton
* Normacot
* Northwood
* Norton le Moors
* Penkhull
* Sandyford
* Shelton
* Sideway
* Smallthorne
* Sneyd Green
* Stoke-upon-Trent
* Trentham
* Trent Vale
* Tunstall
* Weston Coyney

History|

* Ceramic and Allied Trades Union
* Darwin–Wedgwood family
* Federation of Stoke-on-Trent
* History of Port Vale F.C.
* History of Stoke City F.C.
* Staffordshire Potteries
* Wedgwood Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent
* 1842 Pottery Riots

Parliamentary
constituencies|

| Current|

* Stoke-on-Trent North
* Stoke-on-Trent Central
* Stoke-on-Trent South

|

Historic|

* Burslem
* Hanley
* Stoke-on-Trent
* Stoke-upon-Trent

Religion|

* Stoke Minster
* Bethesda Methodist Chapel
* St John's Church, Burslem
* St Paul's Church, Burslem
* Christ Church, Fenton
* Hulton Abbey
* St James' Church, Longton
* Longton Methodist Central Hall
* Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains Church
* Christ Church, Tunstall

Tourism|

| Buildings|

* Listed buildings (Grade II*)
* Bottle ovens
* Burslem Market Hall
* Etruria Hall
* Ford Green Hall
* Old Town Hall, Burslem
* Trentham Mausoleum
* The Villas
* Wedgwood Institute
* Water World
* Winton Square (North Stafford Hotel)

|

Theatres|

* Mitchell Arts Centre
* Queen's Theatre
* Regent Theatre
* Stoke Rep
* Theatre Royal
* Victoria Hall

Museums
and libraries|

* Burslem School of Art
* Chatterley Whitfield
* Etruria Industrial Museum
* Gladstone Pottery Museum
* Montagu C. Butler Library
* Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
* Spode Museum

Shopping|

* City Sentral
* Potteries Shopping Centre

Parks and
countryside|

* Bagnall Road Wood
* Berryhill Fields
* Burslem Park
* Hanley Park
* Hartshill Park
* Hem Heath Woods
* Stoke-on-Trent Garden Festival
* Trentham Estate
* Victoria Park, Tunstall
* Westport Lake
* Whitfield Valley

Sport and
music venues|

* Bet365 Stadium
* Golden Torch
* Jollees
* Longton Cricket Club Ground
* Meir Heath Cricket Club
* Shelley's Laserdome
* The Sugarmill
* The Underground
* Vale Park

Mass media|

| Publishing|

* Cross Rhythms
* Pits n Pots
* The Oatcake
* The Sentinel

|

Radio|

* BBC Radio Stoke
* Cross Rhythms City Radio
* Greatest Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire
* Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire
* UCB UK

Education|

* List of schools
* Stoke-on-Trent College
* City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
* Staffordshire University
* Royal Stoke University Hospital

Companies|

| Pottery|

* Aynsley China
* Beswick Pottery
* Burleigh Pottery
* Carlton Ware
* Churchill China
* Clayburn Pottery
* Dudson
* Emma Bridgewater
* Etruria Works
* Gray's Pottery
* James Sadler and Sons Ltd
* Lucideon
* J. & G. Meakin
* Midwinter Pottery
* Mintons
* Moorcroft
* Palissy
* Paragon China
* Portmeirion Pottery
* Royal Doulton
* Royal Winton
* Shelley Potteries
* Spode
* Steelite
* Wedgwood
* W H Grindley

|

Other|

* Armitage Shanks
* Bet365
* Clay Records
* Goodwin
* Hanley Economic Building Society
* Shelton Bar
* SONS Records
* Titanic Brewery
* Twyford Bathrooms
* Wrights Pies

Sport|

| Association football teams|

* Abbey Hulton United
* Dresden United
* Eastwood Hanley
* Hanley Town
* Meir K.A.
* Norton United
* Port Vale
* Stoke City

|

Rugby union teams|

* Longton
* Stoke-on-Trent

Speedway teams|

* Stoke Potters
* Stoke Spitfires

Transport|

| Canals|

* Caldon Canal
* Trent and Mersey Canal

|

Public transport|

* D&G Bus
* First Potteries
* Stoke Streetcar

Rail|

* Longport railway station
* Longton railway station
* North Staffordshire Railway
* Stafford–Manchester line
* Stoke-on-Trent railway station
* Stoke railway works

Major roads|

* A34
* A50
* A52
* A53
* A500
* Longton Interchange

Miscellaneous|

* List of people
* Lobby
* May un Mar Lady
* Oatcake
* Owd Grandad Piggott
* Potteries derby
* Potteries dialect
* Queen Street, Burslem
* River Trent
* Start Up Citywide
* ST postcode area

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template