This page explains more about the Vale Vaults exhibition held in 2014.
About the Vale Vaults exhibition
In 2014, onevalefan.co.uk website editor Rob Fielding had just received three amazing Port Vale FC scrapbooks through the post. While scanning the stunning images for his website, he considered the huge amount of Valiants memorabilia he had collected or been given. ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I could show it off to Vale fans?’ he pondered.
This thought gradually progressed into the Vale Vaults exhibition, which was the first-ever fans-based, free exhibition of Port Vale FC memorabilia which was held during the 2014-2015 football season. It wasn’t just the OVF collection which was displayed. Thanks to the incredible generosity of fans, many more exhibits were provided to be displayed, some were even produced by attendees at the event!
During the weekend of the exhibition, over 900 fans attended the exhibition which was held at the Barewall Gallery in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. Exhibits on display included Port Vale programmes, press clippings, Port Vale kits, artwork, fanzines and many more items of memorabilia from the club’s history. The event also received much positive feedback from fans who attended it.
The following video gives a flavour of the weekend. Click play below to watch it:
Images from the Vale Vaults exhibition:
Vale Vault Images
Vale Vault Features
The following articles all feature Port Vale memorabilia which was initially brought to the Vale Vaults exhibition. It was scanned and online features produced. Many of the following have not featured online before.
The strange tale of Port Vale and a whale…
OVF were kindly loaned this unusual photograph by Port Vale FC for our Vale Vaults exhibition…
Vale Vaults Extra: who’s that man?
Of the many items kindly shown to us at the Vale Vaults exhibition, this is the one which entertained us the most at OVF Towers. We’ve pixelated out this person’s identity so read on to find out who it is…
The Sentinel’s 1950-51 season preview
It’s 1950 and the start of an exciting new era for Port Vale – the move to the Vale Park stadium – and here’s how the Sentinel previewed the forthcoming season…
Port Vale 1954 FA Cup semi-final: the Sentinel’s preview
Port Vale 1954 FA Cup semi-final: we look at the special Sentinel newspaper produced for the biggest game in Port Vale’s history – the FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion.
The 1954 side pictured at home…
Iron Curtain stars at home: taken from a Sentinel FA Cup semi-final special on display at the Vale Vaults exhibition, here are some unique period portraits of the legendary Freddie Steele side pictured at home.
Vale Vaults unearths unique Vale artefact
EXCLUSIVE: The Vale Vaults exhibition has resulted in the discovery of an 1886-87 Port Vale “subscriber’s” ticket – described by historian Jeff Kent as the second oldest Vale artifact he has seen.
Vale Vaults Extra: the Czech programme
We were delighted to be handed this programme during the Vale Vaults exhibition. It marks the visit of Czechoslovakia to Vale Park, the first time a national side had played either of the Potteries sides. The next year, the Czechs reached the 1962 World Cup final.
Vale Vaults Extras: a red club crest
One of the more unexpected elements of the Vale Vaults exhibition was the number of fans bringing items to the exhibition. Here, we profile an unusual red Port Vale crest.