Rare Port Vale programme sells for four figure sum
A Port Vale matchday programme dating back to the 1946-47 season has reportedly changed hands for £2,800 on eBay.
History and memorabilia
Port Vale nostalgia and memorabilia articles
The Port Vale nostalgia and memorabilia section of the onevalefan.co.uk website hosts the Internet’s most extensive collection of historic Port Vale articles and images. This section houses hundreds of historic Port Vale images, Port Vale team line-ups, rare Port Vale documents and features about the Port Vale early years.
Our features include – the origins of the Port Vale name, vintage Port Vale press clippings, items of Port Vale memorabilia (ranging from rare Port Vale programmes to items from our own Vale Vaults exhibition) and features on Port Vale characters ranging from Port Vale cult heroes to tributes to Port Vale legends.
Nearly Men 35: Derek Swan, a rare Rudge punt that didn’t pay off…
Our latest “nearly man” feature covers a reasonably rare event – a John Rudge ‘chancer’ signing that didn’t pay dividends.
Nearly Men 34: Ray Kennedy, the superstar that Sir Stan didn’t rate…
Our latest “nearly man” feature is a fairly well known tale for most Port Vale fans and one of the biggest missed opportunities in the club’s history.
Clippings: Photoshoots of Port Vale new signings over the years
We take a look through our archive at some posed photoshoots to celebrate new Port Vale signings over the years…
Nearly Men 33: Mick Channon, the eighties marquee signing that never was
Our latest “nearly man” feature is the story of how former England striker Mick Channon could have joined Port Vale in 1982.
One of Port Vale’s most influential signings of all-time warranted just a single sentence in 1923
Striker Wilf Kirkham remains Port Vale’s all-time top-scorer with 164 goals for the club, yet his addition to the first-team was covered in less than a sentence in 1923.
How the press reported Port Vale rumours in 1905…
Here’s a clipping from one hundred and twenty years ago showing how football “gossip” was treated in those days. It’s a world away from the social media gossip and clickbait stories of nowadays.
Cult hero 75: Nathan Smith
If you consider the likes of Sproson, Aspin, Glover and so on… then Nathan Smith may not be one of the all-time great defenders at Port Vale but his loyalty deserves a place in the cult hall of fame.
A man down and scoreline confusion – the odd tale of Port Vale’s first League game
Port Vale’s first season in the Football League started in dramatic fashion – here’s the story…
Nearly Men 32: Finn Ashworth, the “near forgotten” loanee
Finn Ashworth joined the Valiants on loan from Wolves in February 2025 but left without ever appearing in a Port Vale match day squad.
Legendary Port Vale goalkeeper Ken Hancock passes away
Port Vale goalkeeper Ken Hancock has passed away at the age of 87, the club has announced.
AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Port Vale – Up the Vale! Valiants secure promotion with a game to go
A brilliant headed goal from striker Jayden Stockley and a calm finish from Jaheim Headley earned Port Vale a win over Wimbledon and secured promotion to League One. Here’s our match report.
A look at Port Vale’s club record 9-1 win over Chesterfield in 1932
Striker Stewart Littlewood scored six times as Port Vale recorded their best-ever League win with a 9-1 victory over Chesterfield. Here’s the background to that game and a match report…
“Bright outlook” – the Port Vale 1912-13 season preview
The Valiants had cause for optimism ahead of the 1912-13 Central League season. Here’s a season preview taken from the local press.
The 1939-40 Port Vale season preview
The 1938-39 Football League season was doomed to end prematurely but before world events intervened here is a clipping from the Sentinel newspaper previewing the new season.
Port Vale’s first match against Barrow – a thumping victory for the Valiants
We take a look back to the 7th September 1929 and the occasion of Port Vale’s first-ever competitive game against Barrow.
Port Vale’s first-ever game against Carlisle Utd – a “flattering” victory followed by devastating tragedy
We take a look back to 1929 and the occasion of Port Vale’s first-ever competitive game against Carlisle United.
Read profiles of the 1932-33 Port Vale squad
This clipping from 1932 profiles the Port Vale squad ahead of their 1932-33 season in Division Two.
Report, view and photos – an historic day as John Rudge statue is unveiled
OVF editor Rob Fielding was privileged to be at the John Rudge statue unveiling event. In this special feature, we report on the day, a personal view of the day from the OVF editor and a selection of photos.
Goalkeeper drama overshadowed Port Vale’s first-ever win over Swindon in 1938…
We take a trip back to 1938 and Port Vale’s first-ever Football League clash with Swindon Town – which included a dramatic start to the second-half for the Valiants…
Read an 1893 match report as Port Vale thrash rivals Crewe
This match report covers Port Vale’s third-ever competitive game against Crewe Alexandra, which took place in Division Two on the 16th September 1893.
Nearly Men 31: Deklan Wynne, the International left-back who never played competitively for Vale
Deklan Wynne joined the Valiants in April 2024 but despite two spells lasting till July of that year, he never managed to make a competitive appearance for the club.
Cult hero 74: David Worrall
David Worrall may not be one of the club’s all-time great wingers but his dedication, longevity and skill make him a worthy entrant in our Port Vale cult hall of fame.
The little-known Port Vale striker capped by England days after leaving the club
A prolific striker of the 1930’s, Port Vale’s Harry Roberts earned an England cap just a few weeks after departing the club.
The Vale Park stadium opening day, August 1950
Port Vale’s stadium opened on the 24th August 1950. We look back at that day with press clippings, the schedule of events and a look at the songsheet handed out to Port Vale supporters…
Clippings: “hobbledehoys” – a Port Vale spat in the 1895 letters section of the Sentinel
We discovered this entertaining spat between fan and club in the letters section of the Evening Sentinel newspaper between September and October 1895.