To commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Port Vale’s FA Cup semi-final appearances, here is a documentary video on that legendary Iron Curtain side.
The following is a brief documentary on the 1954 Iron Curtain Port Vale side, which won a record-breaking promotion, defeated Stanley Matthews’ Blackpool in a famous FA Cup giantkilling and reached the FA Cup semi-final only to controversially lose to West Brom.
This is from the “Up the Vale” video kindly supplied to OVF by Stuart Dean.
Click play to watch it. For more on the Iron Curtain side, click on the features below.
More Iron Curtain Features
Reports, photos and coverage of Port Vale’s historic 1954 FA Cup quarter-final victory
In March 1954, Port Vale became only the second Third Division side to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Freddie Steele’s famed Iron Curtain side defeated Leyton Orient 1-0 and we present media coverage of the historic win.
Pictured: the goal that took Port Vale into the 1954 FA Cup semi-final
Thanks to OVF reader Paul Rafferty, we have an image of Vale’s crucial FA Cup goal against Leyton Orient – the strike that secured Port Vale’s place in the semi-finals.
Classic match: Port Vale 2-0 Blackpool, FA Cup fifth round, 1954
Port Vale stun the FA Cup holders in one of Vale Park’s finest games of all time as it finishes Port Vale 2-0 Blackpool in 1954…
A look at the Cardiff City v Port Vale, 1954 match programme
We take an brief leaf through the pages of a vintage programme – the FA Cup Fourth Round clash between Port Vale and Cardiff City in 1954.
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.
Press Clippings: media reports of Port Vale’s glorious 1953-54 season
Culled from our media archives, here are a selection of press clippings from Port Vale’s fabulous 1953-54 season…
A ticket for a possible replay of Port Vale’s 1954 FA Cup semi-final
Port Vale lost their famous FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion in 1954 but what if there had been a replay. This unique ticket gives an indication of the plans… and the location may raise a few eyebrows!
I was there: a fans’ view of Port Vale’s Iron Curtain side
Many younger fans never saw the legendary 1953-54 Port Vale side. Geoff Ainsworth did. He watched from the sidelines and here’s his review of the squad from that incredible season.
1953-54 Port Vale player profiles – the legendary Iron Curtain side
1953-54 Port Vale player profiles: images and contemporary text from the ‘Pride of Port Vale’ booklet.
King of the Steele Curtain side
In 2000, OVF managed to speak to Ray King, a genuine Port Vale legend, who played in Vale’s FA Cup semi-final side. Read the great man’s thoughts.
1954 semi-final special – the front cover
To conclude our look at the Sentinel special marking the club’s FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1954, here is a Photoshopped copy of the front cover.
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.
Video: The 1953-1954 Port Vale Iron Curtain season
Thanks to Stuart Dean, we have a short documentary clip of Port Vale’s 1954 record-breaking side.
1950s Port Vale autographs pictured
Thanks to Pete T, we have some photos of Vale fan Geoff Austin’s autograph book from which dates back to the 1950’s. It contains 1950s Port Vale autographs plus those of Stoke City players from that era.
The moment Vale’s cup final dreams were dashed…
Whilst in the course of research for more OVF historical features, we were given these amazing images of Vale’s 1954 FA Cup semi-final clash with West Bromwich Albion.
1954 salute to Port Vale cartoon
Salute to Port Vale is a vintage cartoon from the March 1954 edition of Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly.
Port Vale players of the 1950’s
Thanks to Port Vale fan Angela Fox, OVF has been handed these amazing images of Port Vale players, fans and club staff during the 1950’s.
Read the Port Vale v Wrexham programme from 1954
Paul Humphreys has kindly provided the onevalefan viewers with the opportunity to leaf through the pages of a souvenir programme from the glorious 1954 Iron Curtain campaign.
Read the 1954 West Brom v Port Vale FA Cup semi-final programme
We present images from the programme for Vale’s biggest-ever match, the FA Cup semi-final against West Brom in 1954.
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