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Port Vale F.C.

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Parent: Stoke-on-Trent Hop 4
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Port Vale F.C.
ClubnamePort Vale
GroundVale Park
Capacity15,036
ChairmanCarol Shanahan
ManagerDarren Moore
LeagueEFL League One
Season2023–24
PositionLeague One, 20th

Port Vale F.C. is a professional association football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. The team competes in EFL League One, the third tier of the English football league system. Founded in 1876, the club is one of the oldest in the Football League and is named after the valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

History

The club was formed in 1876 and played in various local leagues before becoming a founding member of the Football League Second Division in 1892. After early financial struggles and a brief spell outside the Football League, Port Vale established itself, achieving promotion to the Football League First Division under manager Tommy Muirhead in the 1930s. The post-war era saw the club's greatest success, winning the Football League Third Division North in 1953–54 and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in 1954, losing to West Bromwich Albion. The latter half of the 20th century was marked by fluctuating fortunes, including financial crises and promotions, notably under manager John Rudge, who led the club to its highest-ever finish of eighth in the Second Division in the 1996–97 season. The 21st century has seen the club oscillate between EFL League One and EFL League Two, with a notable EFL Trophy win at Wembley Stadium in 2022 under manager Darrell Clarke.

Stadium

The club has played at Vale Park in Burslem since 1950, having previously used grounds including The Old Recreation Ground in Hanley. Vale Park was envisioned as a "Wembley of the North" and had a record attendance of 49,768 for an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa in 1960. The stadium has undergone significant redevelopment, particularly following a fire in the Lorne Street stand in the 1980s, and now has an all-seated capacity of 15,036. The ground is known for its distinctive Hamil End and Bycars End terraces, though they are now seated, and the Railway Stand.

Club culture

The club's traditional rivals are Stoke City, with whom they contest the Potteries derby, one of the oldest derbies in English football. Supporters are known as "Valiants" and the club's mascot is a dog named Boomer. The club's anthem is "The Burslem Port Vale" and it has a strong historical connection with the local ceramics industry. The club's community work is channeled through the Port Vale Foundation Trust, and the club is owned by local businesspeople Carol Shanahan and Kevin Shanahan, who are credited with stabilizing the club's finances.

Players

As of the 2023–24 season, notable first-team players include captain Nathan Smith, goalkeeper Connor Ripley, and forwards James Wilson and Uche Ikpeazu. The club has a history of developing talent through its academy, with notable graduates including England international Robbie Earle and Republic of Ireland defender Lee Sinnott. Historically, prolific scorers for the club include Wilf Kirkham and Tommy Cheadle, while modern-era favourites include midfielder Anthony Gardner and striker Tom Pope.

Honours

Port Vale's major honours include the EFL Trophy, which they won in 1993 and again in 2022. They were champions of the Football League Third Division North in 1953–54 and the Football League Fourth Division in 1958–59. The club has also won the Football League Third Division title twice, in 1985–86 and 1993–94. In cup competitions, their best performance remains reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1954. They were also winners of the Staffordshire Senior Cup on multiple occasions in the 19th century.

Management

The club's first-team manager is Darren Moore, appointed in 2024. The director of football is David Flitcroft. Historically, long-serving and successful managers include John Rudge, the club's longest-serving manager, who oversaw a successful period from 1984 to 1999, and Micky Adams, who achieved promotion from EFL League Two in 2013. Other notable former managers include Roy Sproson, the club's record appearance holder who later managed the team, and Brian Horton, who led the club to promotion in 1994. The club's ownership and board are led by chair Carol Shanahan.

Category:Association football clubs in England Category:Football clubs in Staffordshire Category:1876 establishments in England