{{Short description|Association football club in Stoke-on-Trent, England}} {{Good article}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Port Vale | image = Port Vale logo.svg | upright = 0.75 | alt = Port Vale F.C. logo | fullname = Port Vale Football Club | nickname = The Valiants<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale Valiants nickname and the story of how the club adopted it |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/05/valiants-1876-sorry-43-years-out/ |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=19 May 2012 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927191959/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/05/valiants-1876-sorry-43-years-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | short name = {{ubl|Vale|PVFC}} | founded = {{nowrap|{{Start date and age|df=yes|1876}} (disputed)<ref name=clubhistory/>{{efn|name=1876?|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.<ref name=clubhistory/><ref name="page 71"/>}}<br />{{Start date and age|df=yes|1879}} (speculated)<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=8}}</ref><br />{{start date and age|1907|df=yes}} (reestablished)}}<ref name="page 71">{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=71}}</ref> | ground = Vale Park, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent | capacity = 16,800<ref name="allocated">{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Preparing for league and cup |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/preparing-for-league-and-cup |access-date=6 September 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=4 September 2025}}</ref> | coordinates = {{coord|53|2|59|N|2|11|33|W|type:landmark_region:GB-STS|display=it}} | owntitle = Owner | owner = Synsol Holdings Limited<ref name="owners">{{cite web |title=Company Details – Port Vale |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/company-details/ |website=port-vale.co.uk |access-date=27 July 2019 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026130441/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/company-details/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | chairman = Carol Shanahan<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale: New board announced by League Two club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51311878 |access-date=30 January 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2020 |language=en-gb |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131192606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51311878 |url-status=live }}</ref> | chrtitle = Chairlady | mgrtitle = | manager = Jon Brady | league = {{English football updater|PortVale}} | season = {{English football updater|PortVale2}} | position = {{English football updater|PortVale3}} | website = {{url|port-vale.co.uk}} | pattern_la1 = _portvale2526h | pattern_b1 = _portvale2526h | pattern_ra1 = _portvale2526h | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = _portvale2526hl | leftarm1 = FFFFFF | body1 = FFFFFF | rightarm1 = FFFFFF | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = FFFFFF | pattern_la2 = _portvale2526a | pattern_b2 = _portvale2526a | pattern_ra2 = _portvale2526a | pattern_sh2 = _portvale2526a | pattern_so2 = _portvale2526al | leftarm2 = fbc404 | body2 = fbc404 | rightarm2 = fbc404 | shorts2 = fbc404 | socks2 = fbc404 | current = 2025–26 Port Vale F.C. season }}
'''Port Vale Football Club''' is a professional football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. The club competes in EFL League One, the third tier of English football, but will compete in EFL League Two in the 2026–27 season following relegation. 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=All-time Second Division – Clubs with most seasons in the 2nd Level of English Football|last=Turianski|first=Bill|url=http://billsportsmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/england-2nd-level_all-time-40-clubs_w-league-history_f.gif|website=billsportsmaps.com|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612161151/http://billsportsmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/england-2nd-level_all-time-40-clubs_w-league-history_f.gif|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. They then cycled through managers and yo-yoed between the third and fourth tiers over the next few years.
==History== {{For|a more detailed look at the club's history|History of Port Vale F.C.}} {{For|a statistical breakdown by season|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.<ref name=clubhistory>{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10381,00.html|title=A Brief Club History|publisher=port-vale.co.uk|date=4 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720150621/http://www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10381,00.html|archive-date=20 July 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=21 things you didn't know about Port Vale|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/21-things-didn-t-know-Port-Vale/story-23783824-detail/story.html|access-date=30 October 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=30 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207231451/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/21-things-didn-t-know-Port-Vale/story-23783824-detail/story.html|archive-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> In the club's early days the team played their football at Limekiln Lane, Longport and from 1880 at Westport.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=13}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Kent 1990 19">{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=19}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=34}}</ref> They spent 13 seasons in the Second Division, either side of a two-season return to the Midland League (1896–97 and 1897–98).<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=49}}</ref>
thumb|right|300px|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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=70}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=99}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=118}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=123}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=129}}</ref> Vale went to beat Chesterfield by a club record 9–1 margin on 24 September 1932.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=132}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=141}}</ref>
Port Vale moved into their new home of Vale Park in 1950, and a year later Freddie Steele was appointed club manager.<ref name="iron">{{cite book|last=King|first=Ray|title=Port Vale FC: The Valiants in the 50s and 60s|date=December 2004|publisher=Staffordshire Sentinel Newspapers Limited|location=Cheshire|page=13|isbn=1-84547-090-7}}</ref> Steele quickly established himself at the club, masterminding the celebrated 'Iron Curtain' defence.<ref name="iron"/> 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.<ref name="iron"/> Three years later, the club were again relegated, and once again became founder members of a division – this time the Football League Fourth Division.<ref name="iron"/> 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.<ref name="iron"/>
Vale ended a six-season stay in the Third Division with relegation at the end of the 1964–65 campaign.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=213}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Matthews|first1=Stanley|first2=Les |last2=Scott|title=The Way It Was|publisher=Headline|year=2000|isbn=0-7472-6427-9|page=555}}</ref> Gordon Lee took the helm following this punishment, and steered the club to promotion at the end of the 1969–70 campaign.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=224}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=253}}</ref> The 1979–80 season saw Port Vale finish 20th in the Fourth Division (88th overall), the club's worst ever finish.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=260}}</ref> Despite this poor finish in John McGrath's first season, they eventually achieved their first success in 13 years in 1982–83 by winning promotion out of the Fourth Division in third place.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=268}}</ref>
Following McGrath's dismissal, his assistant John Rudge was appointed manager in December 1983.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=270}}</ref> Though he was unable to halt Vale's immediate return to the bottom tier of the Football League, he succeeded in steadying the ship.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=271}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=276}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=282}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=286}}</ref> [[File:Tom Pope.png|thumb|right|150px|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dodgy penalty was not enough for a promotion|date=19 February 2011|work=The Sentinel|page=26}}</ref> 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.<ref name="rise">{{cite news|title=Vale rise to the occasion with a win at Wembley|date=19 March 2011|work=The Sentinel}}</ref> However, they then lost 3–0 in the play-off final to West Bromwich Albion.<ref>{{cite book| last=McOwan | first=Gavin | title=The Essential History of West Bromwich Albion | publisher=Headline | year=2002 | pages=158–159 | isbn=0-7553-1146-9 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abberley |first1=John |title=How Port Vale proved to be Everton's FA Cup Bogie team |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-port-vale-proved-evertons-264785 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=22 August 2009 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024062434/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-port-vale-proved-evertons-264785 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/angloit96.html|title=Anglo-Italian Cup 1995/96|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=12 July 2010|archive-date=26 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426013339/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/angloit96.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Last day drama when Port Vale stayed up but Man City and Stoke City went down |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/last-day-drama-port-vale-4100853 |access-date=4 May 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027111214/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/last-day-drama-port-vale-4100853 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next season was another struggle. John Rudge was controversially sacked in January 1999.<ref name="grudge">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html?|title=No grudge for Rudge, only old golden memories|last=Shaw|first=Phil|date=30 January 2011|work=The Independent|access-date=30 January 2011|archive-date=3 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203011557/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by former player Brian Horton, who spent big to secure the club's second consecutive final-day escape from relegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1283204.stm|title=Profile on Brian Horton|date=18 April 2001|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305110919/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1283204.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> There was no avoiding relegation in 1999–2000, though, as they were some 13 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.<ref name="Carragher tribute">{{cite news|title=Matt Carragher tribute: The day he captained Vale to Trophy glory|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/matt-carragher-tribute-the-day-he-captained-port-vale-to-ldv-vans-trophy-glory/story-30020295-detail/story.html|access-date=30 December 2016|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=30 December 2016|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230235919/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/matt-carragher-tribute-the-day-he-captained-port-vale-to-ldv-vans-trophy-glory/story-30020295-detail/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2002, Bill Bell called in the administrators, with the club around £1.5 million in debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2581571.stm|title=Vale go into administration|date=16 December 2002|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2011|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029151335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2581571.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
The club came out of administration in 2003–04 under a fan-ownership consortium headed by Bill Bratt's Valiant 2001 consortium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2904331.stm|title=Vale fans to take control|date=7 April 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 January 2011|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025005352/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2904331.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Port Vale appoint Foyle|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3485687.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2004|access-date=19 May 2008|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214105041/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3485687.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7146937.stm|title=The defeat of Port Vale|date=16 December 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 January 2011|archive-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214142849/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7146937.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sinnott parts company with Vale">{{cite news| title = Sinnott parts company with Vale|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7629851.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 22 September 2008| access-date = 22 September 2008| archive-date = 4 December 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204133252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7629851.stm| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8082769.stm|title=Adams to be named Port Vale boss|date=4 June 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2009|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023023734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8082769.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Adams left the club in December 2010 with Vale second in the table and Jim Gannon was selected to finish the promotion job.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/9327422.stm|title=Micky Adams confirmed as Sheffield United manager|date=30 December 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113015342/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/9327422.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9343059.stm|title=Port Vale appoint Jim Gannon as new manager|date=6 January 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023035208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9343059.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Gannon's turbulent reign ended after 74 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9431553.stm|title=Manager Jim Gannon parts company with Port Vale|date=21 March 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 March 2011|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029151838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9431553.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Shaw |first= Steve |date=13 May 2011 |title=Port Vale: Micky Adams is back to finish the job he started |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale/article-3555018-detail/article.html |url-status= dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516070439/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale/article-3555018-detail/article.html |archive-date=16 May 2011 |access-date= 8 August 2025 |work=The Sentinel}}</ref>
[[File:Port Vale celebrate.png|thumb|Port Vale players celebrate the goal promoting them back to League One with the away end at Plough Lane on 26 April 2025.]]
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Winding-up petition served against Valiants by HMRC|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114034808/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2013|access-date=29 February 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=29 February 2012}}</ref> The club entered administration on 9 March.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale formally enter administration|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17230886|access-date=9 March 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2012|archive-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218053434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17230886|url-status=live}}</ref> The club finally exited administration on 20 November 2012,<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale exit administration as Paul Wildes completes takeover|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20415308|access-date=21 November 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2012|archive-date=28 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128024220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20415308|url-status=live}}</ref> and Tom Pope scored 33 goals to fire Vale to promotion back to League One with a third-place finish.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Sherwin|first1=Phil|first2=Dave |last2=Johnson|title=Port Vale This Side Up: 2012–2013 Promotion Celebration|publisher=BGL|year=2013|isbn=978-0-9926579-0-1}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bishop |first1=Matthew |title=Rob Page denies animosity ahead of Port Vale return |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=The League Paper |date=8 December 2016 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128130053/https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Bruno Ribeiro appointed as new manager at League One club |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |access-date=11 June 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310211240/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |url-status=live }}</ref> The result was relegation back into League Two at the end of the 2016–17 season, after which Smurthwaite resigned as chairman.<ref name="BBC-02May2017">{{cite news|title=Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale chairman steps down|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411105551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |access-date=9 May 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510082504/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |access-date=20 May 2022 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=19 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519221533/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |url-status=live }}</ref> Promotion was secured with a 3–0 victory over Mansfield Town in the final.<ref name="poff22">{{cite news |last1=Aloia |first1=Andrew |title=Vale beat 10-man Mansfield to reach League One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604110146/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |url-status=live }}</ref> Clarke was sacked on 17 April 2023,<ref>{{cite news |title=Club Statement {{!}} Port Vale part company with manager Darrell Clarke |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=17 April 2023 |language=en-gb |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417073747/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="2324QF" /> Crosby was sacked in February,<ref name="BBC-05Feb2024">{{cite news |title=Andy Crosby: Port Vale sack manager after one win in eight games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205185443/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was replaced by Darren Moore,<ref name="BBC-13Feb2024">{{cite news |title=Darren Moore: Port Vale appoint ex-WBA, Doncaster, Huddersfield & Sheff Wed boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2024 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213162514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Port Vale were relegated to League Two at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68804545 |title=Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Port Vale |website=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> Moore led the club to an immediate promotion in the 2024–25 campaign<ref name="prommy">{{cite news |title=Port Vale 0-1 Gillingham: Hosts fail to claim League Two title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgx7eplkmlt |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2025}}</ref> but left the club in December 2025, being replaced by Jon Brady the following month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jon Brady: Port Vale appoint ex-Northampton Town boss as new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd9ex7k4vgyo |access-date=6 January 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2026}}</ref> The side was relegated back to League Two, despite them reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Dan |last2=Bowers |first2=Phil |title=Port Vale: Jon Brady says League One relegation hurts but club will be back stronger |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce9mlrnjmjmo |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2026}}</ref>
==Club identity== {{Football kit box |pattern_la = |pattern_dgsh = |pattern_ra = |pattern_sh = |pattern_so = |leftarm = FF0000 |body = FF0000 |rightarm = FF0000 |shorts = 000000 |socks = 000000 |title = The kit used in Vale's first League season (1892)<ref name="kit">{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Port_Vale/Port_Vale.htm|title=Kit History|work=Historical Football Kits|access-date=24 December 2008|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025001859/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Port_Vale/Port_Vale.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
Around November 1920, club chairman Frank Huntbach came up with the nickname of "the Valiants".<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=100}}</ref> 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.<ref name="kit" />
The initial club crest was modelled on the coat of arms of the Borough of Burslem.<ref name="badgea">{{cite news |title=A brief history of Port Vale badges and crests |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/05/history-port-vale-club-crests/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=17 May 2012 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026034313/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/05/history-port-vale-club-crests/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1952 to 1956 the club used a Staffordshire knot with the letters "PVFC" inside it.<ref name="badgea"/> 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.<ref name="kit" /> The crest was removed in 1964, and replaced by a 'P.V.F.C.' monogramme, which in turn was abandoned in 1978.<ref name="kit" /> 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.<ref name="badgea"/> 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.<ref name="kit" /><ref name="badgea"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port Vale new crest 2013|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/20130212-new-crest-651917.aspx|work=Port Vale F.C. official website|access-date=22 June 2013|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030153302/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2013/february/new-crest/|url-status=live}}</ref>
A table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref>{{cite web|title=Port Vale|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Port_Vale/Port_Vale.htm|work=historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=2 April 2012|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025001859/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Port_Vale/Port_Vale.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="width: 25%; text-align: center; margin-left:1em; float: left" |- !colspan=3|Kit suppliers |- !scope=col|Dates !scope=col|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 |} {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="width: 25%; text-align: center; margin-left:1em; float: left" |- !colspan=2| Shirt sponsors |- !scope=col|Dates !scope=col|Sponsor |- |1979–1980 |TI Creda |- |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 |- |2019–2025 |Synectics Solutions |} {{clear}}
==Grounds== [[File:Vale Park.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Vale Park, Port Vale's home ground since 1950.]] {{Main|Athletic Ground (Cobridge)|Old Recreation Ground|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,<ref name="cycle">{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1627870,00.html|title=Community Cycle Ride|date=15 April 2009|work=port-vale.co.uk|access-date=16 December 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420100837/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1627870,00.html|archive-date=20 April 2009}}</ref> and then moved on to Westport Meadows in 1881, where they played for three years.<ref name="cycle" /> An area prone to flooding, today Westport Lake now lies where the ground once stood.<ref name="cycle" /> In 1884, the club moved to the Burslem Football and Athletic ground, where they would stay for just two years.<ref name="cycle" /> Located close to Burslem railway station, the club took the area's name.<ref name="cycle" /> 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.<ref name="cycle" /> It proved to be inadequate however. Port Vale moved on to the Athletic Ground.<ref name="cycle" /> 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.<ref name="Kent 1990 19"/> 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.<ref name="sixty">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-glorious-years-Vale-Park/article-2561505-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114023601/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-glorious-years-Vale-Park/article-2561505-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2013|title=Port Vale: 60-years ago today, Vale came back home to play|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=24 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=24 August 2010}}</ref> The club received £13,500 for the ground, which they needed to pay off a £3,000 debt.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1996|p=103}}</ref>
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".<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=172}}</ref> However, the £50,000 project opened at a capacity of 40,000 (360 seated), which is still highly ambitious.<ref name="sixty"/> The capacity was increased to a sell-out of 49,768 for an FA Cup tie with Aston Villa in 1960.<ref name="sixty"/> The stadium underwent numerous upgrades after Bill Bell was elected as chairman in 1987, who aimed to make it "fit for the Premiership".<ref name="page 168">{{harvnb|Kent|2011|p=168}}</ref> Outside the ground are statues to Roy Sproson, who played 842 competitive games for the club, and longtime manager John Rudge.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale Roy Sproson statue to be unveiled after 10-year wait|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-20027902|access-date=22 October 2012|publisher=BBC News|date=22 October 2012|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611130505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-20027902|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Statue of former Port Vale manager unveiled on his 80th birthday |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xez5kl0jlo |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2024}}</ref>
==Rivalries and supporters== {{Main|Potteries derby}} [[File:Average attendances graph.JPG|thumb|right|400px|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Football-Contrasting-arrest-figures-Stoke-Vale/article-2950888-detail/article.html|title=Football: Contrasting arrest figures for Stoke and Vale|last=Spinks|first=Martin|author2=Michael Baggaley|date=30 November 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=30 November 2010|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023055853/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Football-Contrasting-arrest-figures-Stoke-Vale/article-2950888-detail/article.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="KentPD">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=The Potteries Derbies|publisher=Witan Books|date=November 1998|isbn=0-9529152-3-5}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Yes, Port Vale v Crewe is a derby and there's plenty at stake, says Tom Pope|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/yes-port-vale-v-crewe-383286|access-date=17 March 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=25 August 2017|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026025220/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/yes-port-vale-v-crewe-383286|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Stoke v Port Vale named in top 30 English football rivalries, below Vale v Crewe |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-port-vale-derby-3300121 |access-date=9 September 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=9 September 2019 |archive-date=25 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125221521/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-port-vale-derby-3300121 |url-status=live }}</ref> Vale also maintain rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Walsall, as well as less significant rivalries with Burton Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Macclesfield Town.<ref>{{cite news |title=Walsall 0-1 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31423338 |access-date=13 February 2020 |date=14 February 2015 |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216133203/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31423338 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town vs Port Vale: More police called in for derby |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2016/11/25/shrewsbury-town-vs-port-vale-more-police-called-in-for-derby/ |access-date=13 February 2020 |date=25 November 2016 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026114421/https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2016/11/25/shrewsbury-town-vs-port-vale-more-police-called-in-for-derby/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The club's official matchday programme was published from 1949 to 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fielding |first1=Rob |title=Port Vale propose the end of regular match day programmes - onevalefan.co.uk |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2024/07/port-vale-propose-the-end-of-regular-match-day-programmes/ |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=OneValeFan |date=6 July 2024}}</ref> It was voted the best in League Two in 2010–11.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vale Programme Wins Award|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2369297,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805111154/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2369297,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|work=port-vale.co.uk|access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Happy 25th Birthday |journal=The Vale Park Beano |volume=126}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Beano|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~872562,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805102146/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~872562,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|work=port-vale.co.uk|access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref> ''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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kelly high as double sinks Vale; Tranmere 2 Port Vale 1.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Kelly+high+as+double+sinks+Vale%3b+Tranmere+2+Port+Vale+1.-a061766544|access-date=5 May 2012|newspaper=The Mirror|date=19 April 2000|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030204133/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football:+Kelly+high+as+double+sinks+Vale;+Tranmere+2+Port+Vale+1.-a061766544|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Guardian: About OVF |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/01/guardian-ovf/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=28 January 2012 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023023738/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/01/guardian-ovf/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fielding |first1=Rob |title=Six thoughts after the play-offs: sore losers Swindon, magnanimous Mansfield, wonderful Wilson and Clarke's character |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2022/05/six-thoughts-after-the-play-offs-sore-losers-swindon-magnanimous-mansfield-wonderful-wilson-and-clarkes-character/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530184410/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2022/05/six-thoughts-after-the-play-offs-sore-losers-swindon-magnanimous-mansfield-wonderful-wilson-and-clarkes-character/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Ale and the Vale'' podcast won the Real EFL League One Podcast of the Year award in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rollings |first1=Kirsty |last2=Baggaley |first2=Michael |title=Fund-raising Port Vale podcast set to defend League One title |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-ale-and-vale-8381763 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=24 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425040535/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-ale-and-vale-8381763 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Robbie Williams SoccerAid2006 Pre-Match Training.jpg|upright|thumb|180px|right|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.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/27/robbie_williams_vale_stake_feature.shtml "Robbie buys into Vale"], BBC Stoke & Staffordshire, 27 February 2006</ref> For this investment, a restaurant at Vale Park is named after him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5153986.stm|title=Williams given Port Vale honour|date=6 July 2006|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2 January 2009|archive-date=19 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219175518/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5153986.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/fifa-2000-major-league-soccer/trivia|title=FIFA 2000: Major League Soccer|publisher=Moby Games|date=20 August 2006|access-date=20 July 2008|archive-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820105650/http://www.mobygames.com/game/fifa-2000-major-league-soccer/trivia|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ave-it.net/famous_port_vale_fans.htm|title=Famous Port Vale Fans|work=Aveit.net|access-date=27 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011120510/http://www.ave-it.net/famous_port_vale_fans.htm|archive-date=11 October 2008}}</ref> Another famous fan is darts legend Phil Taylor; Burslem born, "The Power" is a 16-time world champion of the sport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/famous-fan-phil-the-power-taylor-20100105_2249035_1924798|title=Famous Fan: Phil 'The Power' Taylor|date=5 January 2010|work=English Football League|access-date=9 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120222809/http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/famous-fan-phil-the-power-taylor-20100105_2249035_1924798|archive-date=20 January 2010}}</ref> The singer Simon Webbe was signed up to the club's youth team as a teenager until a torn ligament at age 17 put an end to any sporting ambitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mostbeautifulman.com/musicians/simonwebbe/bio.shtml|title=Biography|work=Most Beautiful Man|access-date=28 April 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410061150/http://www.mostbeautifulman.com/musicians/simonwebbe/bio.shtml|archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref> The children's illustrator and author Bob Wilson, is also a fan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanleybagshaw.co.uk/about.html|title=Huddersgate and Stoke|work=stanleybagshaw.co.uk|access-date=9 May 2010|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204959/http://www.stanleybagshaw.co.uk/about.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanleybagshaw.co.uk/about4.html|title=The Vale & Albion|work=stanleybagshaw.co.uk|access-date=9 May 2010|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105653/http://www.stanleybagshaw.co.uk/about4.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Records and statistics== {{Further|List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|Port Vale F.C. league record by opponent}} [[File:Gareth Ainsworth.png|thumb|right|150px|Gareth Ainsworth, the club's most expensive signing, at £500,000, was sold for a £1.5{{nbsp}}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.<ref name="page 291"/> In the 2023–24 season, they reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time.<ref name="2324QF">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67202372 |title=Mansfield Town 0–1 Port Vale: Alfie Devine winner sends Valiants into first quarter-final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031234955/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67202372 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="page 291"/> 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.<ref name="page 291"/>
The record for the most appearances for Port Vale is held by Roy Sproson, who played 842 matches in all competitions.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1996|p=302}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1996|p=304}}</ref> Kirkham's tally of 41 goals in the 1926–27 season is also a club record.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=298}}</ref> 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.<ref name="page 291"/> The most capped player is Chris Birchall, who earned 27 caps for Trinidad and Tobago while at the club.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strack-Zimmermann |first1=Benjamin |title=Christopher Birchall |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/11717/Christopher_Birchall.html |website=national-football-teams.com |access-date=12 May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029191930/https://national-football-teams.com/player/11717/Christopher_Birchall.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first Vale player to score in an international match was Sammy Morgan, who scored for Northern Ireland against Spain on 16 February 1972.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strack-Zimmermann |first1=Benjamin |title=Sammy Morgan |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/34728/Sammy_Morgan.html |website=national-football-teams.com |access-date=10 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025083912/https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/34728/Sammy_Morgan.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref name="page 291"/> 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.<ref name="ga">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Rudge-huge-influence-career-says-Ainsworth/article-2916367-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505072749/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Rudge-huge-influence-career-says-Ainsworth/article-2916367-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Port Vale: Rudge was massive influence on career, says Gareth Ainsworth|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=20 November 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=20 November 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=First-team debutant Nelson Agho and a great night for Port Vale's academy |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nelson-agho-port-vale-striker-2219289 |access-date=15 November 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=14 November 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026114421/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nelson-agho-port-vale-striker-2219289 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=292}}</ref>
==Players== thumb|200px|Club mascot Boomer. thumb|Port Vale Women's former captain Meg Baldwin. {{Further|List of Port Vale F.C. players|List of Port Vale F.C. players (1–24 appearances)|Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year}}
===Current squad=== {{updated|3 May 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=First Team – Port Vale |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/ |website=port-vale.co.uk |access-date=11 August 2025 |archive-date=30 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930072301/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} {{fs start}} {{fs player|no=1|nat=SVK|pos=GK|name=Marko Maroši}}† {{fs player|no=2|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Mitch Clark}}* {{fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jaheim Headley}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ben Heneghan}}* {{fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Connor Hall|other=vice-captain}} {{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jordan Gabriel}} {{fs player|no=7|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=George Byers|other=vice-captain}} {{fs player|no=8|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Ben Garrity|other=captain}} {{fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Jayden Stockley}} {{fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Rhys Walters}} {{fs player|no=13|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Ben Amos}}* {{fs player|no=14|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Funso Ojo}}* {{fs player|no=15|nat=GUY|pos=DF|name=Liam Gordon}} {{fs player|no=17|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=Ruari Paton}}† {{fs player|no=18|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Ryan Croasdale}} {{fs player|no=19|nat=NZL|pos=FW|name=Ben Waine}} {{fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Rico Richards}}† {{Fs mid}} {{fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jesse Debrah}}* {{fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jack Shorrock}} {{fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Kyle John}} {{fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Cameron Humphreys}} {{fs player|no=26|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=Jordan Shipley}}† {{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Grant Ward}}* {{fs player|no=29|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Arron Davies}}* {{fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ben Lomax}}* {{fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Eddie Lake}} {{fs player|no=32|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Liam Brazier}}* {{fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=George Hall}} {{fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Dougie Blight}}* {{fs player|no=35|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Tyler Magloire}}* {{fs player|no=36|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Charlie Bussell}} {{fs player|no=42|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sam Hart*}} {{fs player|no=45|nat=JAM|pos=FW|name=Andre Gray}}* {{fs player|no=50|nat=CUB|pos=FW|name=Onel Hernández}}* {{fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Joe Williams}} {{fs end}} * * Players with this symbol will be released upon the expiry of their contracts on 30 June 2026.<ref name=con>{{cite news |title=Port Vale FC Retained List 2026 confirmed {{!}} Port Vale FC |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/port-vale-fc-retained-list-2026-confirmed |access-date=5 May 2026 |work=Port Vale FC |date=5 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref> * † Players with this symbol are available for transfer.<ref name=con/> <!-- ====Out on loan==== {{fs start}} {{fs end}} -->
===Women's team===
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.<ref name="ladies">{{cite news |last1=Roper |first1=Matty |title=New Era for Port Vale Ladies ahead of 2019/20 season |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2019/july/new-era-for-port-vale-ladies-ahead-of-201920-season/ |access-date=25 October 2019 |work=port-vale.co.uk |date=3 July 2019 |language=en-gb |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025022745/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2019/july/new-era-for-port-vale-ladies-ahead-of-201920-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Transfer and season ticket updates from chief executive |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/transfer-and-season-ticket-updates |access-date=11 June 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=10 June 2024}}</ref> The name was changed to Port Vale F.C. Women at the end of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Townley |first1=Dan |title=Name Change for Port Vale Women's Team |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2021/june/name-change-for-port-vale-womens-team/ |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=port-vale.co.uk |date=11 June 2021 |language=en-gb |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611151708/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2021/june/name-change-for-port-vale-womens-team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Port Vale Ladies won the Staffordshire Vase in 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Brady makes his point as Vale stun Peterborough |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/brady-makes-his-point-as-vale-stun |access-date=17 April 2026 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=17 April 2026}}</ref> The women's section also runs girls teams at under-9, under-11, under-12, under-13, under-14 and under-16 level.<ref name="ladies"/>
==Club management== thumb|200px|Former manager Andy Crosby.
===Boardroom and backroom staff=== {| class="toccolours" !bgcolor=silver|Position !bgcolor=silver|Name !bgcolor=silver|Nationality |- |Manager: ||Jon Brady||{{flagicon|Australia}} Australian |-bgcolor=#eeeeee |Assistant Manager: ||Gary Mills||{{flagicon|England}} English |- |Lead First-Team Coach: ||Jamie Smith||{{flagicon|England}} English |-bgcolor=#eeeeee |Goalkeeping Coach: ||Gary Walsh||{{flagicon|England}} English |- |Honorary Club Presidents: ||John Rudge & Robbie Williams||{{flagicon|England}} English |- |} {{clear left}} ;Source: Port Vale F.C.<ref name="Ref-1">{{cite web |title=Who's Who |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/more/whos-who |website=Port Vale FC |access-date=9 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
===Managerial history=== {{Further|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.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1996|p=49}}</ref> Freddie Steele repeated the feat during the 1953–54 campaign, also taking the club to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Sherwin|first1=Phil|last2=Askey|first2=Steve|title=Men of Steele: The story of Port Vale's stunning 1953/54 season|publisher=Pass Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-0-9926579-1-8}}</ref> He was followed by Norman Low, who led Vale to the Fourth Division title in 1958–59.<ref>{{harvnb|Kent|1996|p=177}}</ref> Gordon Lee (1969–70), John McGrath (1982–83), Micky Adams (2012–13), Darrell Clarke (2021–22) and Darren Moore (2024–25) also secured promotions.<ref name="enfa">{{ENFA}} Retrieved 11 June 2020.</ref><ref name="prommy"/> 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.<ref>{{harvnb | Kent | 2011 }} </ref> His successor, Brian Horton also secured a Football League Trophy final victory in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1289338.stm|access-date=19 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 April 2001|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312055650/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1289338.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Honours== thumb|150px|right|alt=The trophy awarded to the play-off winners, pictured in Port Vale colours in 2022|The 2022 EFL League Two play-off trophy
'''League''' *Third Division North / Third Division / Second Division (level 3) **Champions: 1929–30, 1953–54<ref name="page 291"/> **2nd place promotion: 1993–94<ref name="pvfchis">{{cite web|title=Port Vale FC History|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/club/history/|website=port-vale.co.uk|access-date=1 October 2016|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026070341/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/club/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> **Play-off winners: 1989<ref name="page 291">{{harvnb|Kent|1990|p=291}}</ref> *Fourth Division / League Two (level 4) **Champions: 1958–59<ref name="page 291" /> **2nd place promotion: 2024–25<ref name="prommy"/> **3rd place promotion: 1982–83, 2012–13<ref name="pvfchis" /> **4th place promotion: 1969–70, 1985–86<ref name="page 291" /> **Play-off winners: 2022<ref name="poff22" />
'''Cup''' *Football League Trophy **Winners: 1992–93, 2000–01<ref name="pvfchis"/>
==References and notes== === General references === {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |last=Kent |first=Jeff |title=The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale |year=1990 |publisher=Witan Books |location=Stafford |isbn=978-09-50898-14-8 }} * {{cite book |last=Kent |first=Jeff |title=The Port Vale Record 1879–1993 |year=1993 |publisher=Witan Books |location=Stafford |isbn=978-09-50898-19-3 }} * {{cite book |last=Kent |first=Jeff |title=Port Vale Personalities: A Biographical Dictionary of Players, Officials and Supporters |year=1996 |publisher=Witan Books |location=Stafford |isbn=978-09-52915-20-1 }} * {{cite book |last=Kent |first=Jeff |title=What If There Had Been No Port in the Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories! |year=2011 |publisher=Witan Books |location=Stafford |isbn=978-09-52915-28-7 }} {{Refend}}
=== Notes === {{Notelist}}
=== Citations === {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website|https://www.port-vale.co.uk/}} * {{BBC Football Info|port-vale}}
{{Port Vale F.C.}} {{Port Vale F.C. seasons}} {{EFL League One}} {{EFL League Two}} {{Stoke-on-Trent}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Port Vale F.C. Category:1876 establishments in England Category:Phoenix clubs (association football) Category:1907 disestablishments in England Category:1907 establishments in England Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 1907 Category:Association football clubs established in 1876 Category:Association football clubs established in 1907 Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom Category:EFL Trophy winners Category:English Football League clubs Category:Men's football clubs in England Category:Football clubs in Staffordshire Category:Midland Football League (1889) Category:Sport in Stoke-on-Trent Category:Professional football clubs in England