Port Vale

The Vale goes so far back in time nobody seems to know when it started. There was definitely a thing called Port Vale FC by 1880, though it went out of business in 1907. A local club picked up the name, though, and joined the Football League Second Division in 1919.

By the way, there is no such place as Port Vale; the name refers to a “valley” of ports on canals in the area. So Port Vale is the only club in the league not named for a specific location.

To scan their history from that point on is really just a tour of promotions, relegations, managerial sackings, the occasional financial problems – all the highs and lows of a not-very-successful Football League club that never really bottomed out or reached the heights. They have spent a record 114 seasons in the Football League without ever reaching the top tier.

A few highlights are of some interest.

In 1989 they got back to the second tier for the first time in 33 years after a 2-1 aggregate playoff win over Bristol Rovers, the winning goal coming from Robbie Earl, whom American readers will recognize from NBC’s Premier League broadcasts; he played nine seasons each for Vale and the old Wimbledon FC.

They won the 1993 League Trophy at Wembley (2-1 over Stockport County), but went back to Wembley a week later to lose the promotion final. In 1998 they stayed in the second tier on the final day; mainly this is of note here because it was Manchester City who went down to the third tier that day!

Vale went into administration in 2002 and 2012, the latter under an apparently awful owner who finally sold out in 2019 to a local businesswoman named Carol Shanahan. She is considered one of the better club owners around and has secured the finances of the club. Last season they finished second in League Two, so they are back in League One this season.

2024–25 SEASON: 2nd in League Two (promoted), 1st Round FA Cup, 1st Round League Cup

2025–26 SEASON: League One (promoted 2025)

They and Stoke City share the Potteries Derby, named for the pronounced role of ceramics in the local area. Stoke have had a lot more success recently, though, and the two have not met since 2002, when both were in League Two. In fact, between league and cup games, they’ve only met 50 times.

There’s also a rivalry, based in part on more frequent encounters of late, with Crewe Alexandra. Local clubs Shrewsbury Town and Walsall also earn some disdain.

Port Vale F.C. Women compete in the West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League, the fifth tier. Games are at Bradeley Football Development Centre.

I’ve been to a lot of games around the country, so I really appreciate being pleasantly surprised by a football song. When Vale came out for the game I saw, they briefly played some rock song I didn’t recognize, then introduced the teams, and then busted out “The Wonder of You” by Elvis Presley! It was the King’s biggest hit in the UK, but exactly why Vale fans sing it is a little unclear. It seems to go back to the early 1990s and a game at Blackpool, or maybe it was Millwall, when somebody showed up dressed as Elvis, the traveling support serenaded him, the Vale won, and that was that. Maybe.

Vale Park has been their home since 1950, and it’s a good mixture of old and new. The Railway Stand dates to 1954 and has a few pillars, but across the way is the larger, more modern Lorne Street Stand, with seats, boxes and no pillars. That would be the choice for views, the Railway for atmosphere. In each end are standard single-tier stands with some pillars – the Bycars for home fans and the Hamil Road for away fans.

In the corner between the Railway and Bycars stands is something that seems to have been just wedged in there, but it’s the opposite. That’s the last part of the original 1950 stadium, now used occasionally as a family stand, and the roof is actually from the previous home of Port Vale, the Old Recreation Ground.

TOURS: None

GETTING THERE: The main train station in town, Stoke-on-Trent, is over four miles away. It would take two buses to get to the ground from there, so just grab a taxi and get their number to arrange for after the game. There’s another train station, Longport, about a mile away but with less frequent service. You can get there direct from Stoke-on-Trent or Birmingham New Street. Here’s a Google Maps link.

PUBS: There is a club bar at the ground, as well as a decent cluster of options about 10 minutes away, in the little town center of Burslem. Check out The Bulls Head, the Duke William and Bursley Ale House.

GRUB: Also in Burslem, there’s a bunch of very standard options: kebabs, Indian, etc. The closest fish and chips is at May Street Chippy on the opposite side of the ground.

AROUND TOWN: Check the Stoke City listing for some ceramics-related attractions around the area.