Explainer: what we know so far about the Port Vale campus
The phase “Port Vale campus” has been much in evidence in recent days with speculation that Port Vale are about to announce details of the plan. But what is it and what do we know about it so far. Here’s our explainer…
OVF Explainer
So, what’s it called again?
Well even that’s in doubt somewhat. At the time of the initial press release in March, Carol Shanahan referred to it as the “Vale Park campus” while more recently CEO Matt Hancock called it the “Port Vale campus”. So, onto more details of what the Vale Park/Port Vale campus entails…
So, what’s the background?
Back in March 2023, Port Vale released a statement that proposals were being considered for a community sports campus in Burslem. Called the Vale Park Campus, at the time, according to the press release, discussions had been undertaken between the football club and Stoke-on-Trent city council.
What more did that press release disclose?
The article explained that the plans would include club facilities, outdoor sports pitches, Sproson Park and the Dimensions leisure centre. All four areas adjoin each other.
The feature went on to explain that the proposals would benefit both the club and the local community. From the club’s perspective, it will enable Port Vale FC to develop and improve its own training facilities.
In addition to benefits to the playing squad, we know that current owners, the Shanahans have prioritised making Port Vale into a major community asset and this ties into those plans. As co-owner Carol Shanahan put it – “By creating a thriving, energetic hub of activity for the community alongside first-class facilities for our senior and junior teams, we believe we can develop even more opportunities and programmes which will benefit the local area.”
Council leader Abi Brown agreed saying: “making facilities more accessible and improving the quality of them is so important.”
Aside from that March statement, have we got any more details about the plans?
Not directly, but we know that the development of top-class training facilities is a priority. After rejecting the idea of a training ground elsewhere, the club have initially developed a portion of the ground (the T zone). The T zone is situated behind the Lorne St/Bycars stand corner. The new facilities including changing rooms, a boot room, coaches offices and treatment room for the club’s non match-day sessions. The idea is to create a separate facility from matchday ones, so there is a different mindset (and a sense of achievement) when players prepare for a game in the first-team changing rooms.
The club is also planning a U zone (an extension of the T zone which will incorporate the players’ gym and academy facilities). It isn’t clear if the U zone is a separate plan that the club has devised or is part of the overall campus scheme.
Are there any knock-on benefits for the club?
The plans should obviously see the club develop some top-class training facilities, but there are other benefits too.
One of the major stumbling blocks in opening the unused half of the Lorne Street stand is the players’ gym located in the concourse. If the U zone is included in the campus plans then it will include a new location for the gym and will, in turn, clear the way for the Lorne Street stand to be fully in use.
The U zone will also include improved Academy facilities. The Vale junior sides are keen to have a centre next to the club as the junior team facilities are currently spread across a number of different locations around the city. The Academy is a huge priority for the club so again, this will be a major step forward.
What’s next?
According to respected journalist Mike Baggaley, talks are at an advanced stage so it’s expected that a further announcement will provide more details about the campus such as more details about what will be created as well as timescales.
Any glaring errors, any obvious omissions? Feel free to add to our explainer and post a comment at the end of the feature…