Thanks to our new photo providers – SmartFrame – we’ve produced this gallery showing some recent images of the Vale Park stadium.
A note on OVF and SmartFrame
We hope you like these professional licensed images from SmartFrame. However, not only are the images of interest but OVF earns income every time the images are viewed. So, you can view the top quality photos and OVF can help meet its site costs!
Gallery
Excellent photos that offer a very favorable impression. The owners deserve credit for their program of improvements. Stadium maintenance is a continuous investment and obligation, and there are always jobs in progress or to be done. It’s arguable that the pitch has never been in better condition, the playing surface is commendable, vastly superior to recent decades. When I think back to Vale’s 1969-70 promotion season, I stood and leaned on a barrier at the very top of the open uncovered Hamill Road end, a point where there was no concrete terracing underfoot. To the right was the uncovered Lorne Street Paddock where stalwarts were also continuously exposed to the elements. Directly opposite was the Bycars End with a partially patched corrugated roof. And yet, the stadium was only 19-20 5years old ! Vale Park now is a very decent League 1 venue, an all seater covered stadium with better match day amenities than ever before.
A majority of the updating of Vale Park was done under Bill Bell with Football League funding. However I do appreciate the work the present owners have to do to maintain such a large stadium, BUT, I do feel the owners have put the facilities of the privileged before the facilities of the loyal Railway working class supporters. Whilst understanding the boxes and the finishing of the Robbie Williams suite is something the progressive modern football stadium needs, it shouldn’t be done ahead of the loyal terrace fans. It was disgusting to leave the Railway fans left peeing in basically a bucket on the car park for 12 months. Whilst the new toilet block is welcomed, it is far too small especially with fact that we have lost the toilets at the Bycars End of the Railway, due to the away fans being moved to that end. Also a bit more thought could have gone into the new toilet block, i.e. by having two entrances. It’s like a rugby scrum at halftime which isn’t nice in a downpour. Talking of downpours we do still have numerous holes in the roof which never seem to be fixed.
Once upon a time there was smoke and chimneys, who would believe you now from that view of above. Our forebears would be truly grateful that PCFC as evolved into such a modern and compelling community club, all credit to the new owners.
My dear Father & Wonderful Grandad wouldn’t recognise Vale Park compared to the ground they took me too as a 5 year old toddler well done all concerned onward & upwards UTV
Ps that was in 1952 UTV