The most important giantkilling in Port Vale’s history took place in 1898
Port Vale’s time as a League club may only have lasted four seasons if it wasn’t for an astounding FA Cup win in 1898.
Category: Long Read
A selection of our favourite articles from the OVF archives.
Czech mates – Port Vale and Czechoslovakia, a special relationship
In the 1960’s Port Vale FC embarked on two tours of Czechoslovakia and also hosted a home friendly against the national side, but what prompted this close relationship between Port Vale and Czechoslovakia?
Eleven games played, won ten – Port Vale’s amazing start to 1929-30
Port Vale’s form at the start of the 1929-30 season was near-perfect. We take a look back at a memorable season in the Third Division (North).
This is the OVF viewers all-time Port Vale XI
Last summer we ran a series of articles asking for your all-time Port Vale XI. Sadly, the announcement of a winning formation was delayed due to the usual Port Vale crisis coming along and dominating matters. So, after a long delay, here are the results of that vote.
Port Vale the Norman Smurthwaite years – 2012 to 2019
Often controversial and certainly full of incident – here’s our account of the seven years association between Norman Smurthwaite and Port Vale FC.
Sunderland and Port Vale player, maverick and war hero – the remarkable Leigh Roose story
On Sunday November 11th 2018 the 100th anniversary of the end World War One takes place. Less importantly, Port Vale take on Sunderland. It’s then surely appropriate to celebrate a World War One hero who played for both clubs.
Micky Adams at Port Vale
OVF takes a look at the Port Vale career of manager Micky Adams.
A collection of Port Vale hard men from yesteryear
Vale’s current manager had a fearsome reputation as a player but here are some older Vale players who were also terrors on the pitch…
Match reports from Port Vale’s most successful season ever…
Thanks to research by Phil Jennings, we have some vintage match reports which are mostly from the 1930-31 season.
Port Vale’s infamous “busgate” incident
One of the most notorious incidents in the short but incident packed Jim Gannon regime, here is the story of “busgate”…
Port Vale player and Real Madrid manager – the Robert Firth story
Robert Firth was the second English manager of Real Madrid and guided them to their second league title. He also played for Port Vale.
Metallica’s Lars Ulrich gatecrashed Lemmy’s Vale Park gig
In a lengthy eulogy to the late Motorhead frontman Lemmy, Lars Ulrich of Metallica recalls the legendary 1981 gig at Vale Park.
Seven wins, thirty goals – Port Vale’s incredible 1893 run…
The 1893-1894 season was only Port Vale’s second season as a Football League club but it started as one of the most memorable.
Why Port Vale tried to sign the 60’s “Mourinho”
Hungarian Bela Guttman was hailed as a legend after guiding Benfica to two European Cup victories. So why on earth, just weeks after winning his second trophy, was he offered the manager’s role by Port Vale?
The 1954 side pictured 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 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.
The board that nearly destroyed Port Vale
We haven’t enough space to detail all the activities of the “MOLD” board but here as a permanent reminder is a brief recap of what they did.
The adventures of the trawler Port Vale
Not many Vale fans are aware of the trawler “Port Vale” which was in service for almost thirty years. It’s a remarkable story…
How Port Vale almost changed its name
The origins of Port Vale’s unique name has caused much debate, but many fans may not be aware just how close the club came to changing its name altogether.
Valiants since 1876? Sorry, you’re 43 years out!
Do you know when the club first adopted the “Valiants” nickname? Was it 1876, when the club was founded, perhaps? Well, somewhat surprisingly, the nickname did not come into use until some 43 years after the club’s formation.
A brief history of Port Vale badges and crests
Port Vale have had a variety of club crests over the many years of the club’s existence. OVF examines the history behind the club’s many badge designs.
Article disputes the date Port Vale was formed
Here are two fascinating newspaper clippings by Port Vale fan Ray Shaughnessy which appears to cast doubt on the official date Port Vale was formed.
Port Vale Cup fever in Match magazine
In 1988, Port Vale secured a famous FA Cup victory over cup holders Tottenham Hotspur and this is how national football magazine Match celebrated the achievement.
Vintage 1920’s Port Vale pictures revealed
Thanks to Port Vale fan Leigh Briscoe, OVF has been handed these amazing images of Port Vale players during the late 1920s including striker Billy Briscoe.
On the Vale Park terraces in the 1950’s
Thanks to Port Vale fan Angela Fox, OVF has been handed these amazing images of Port Vale supporters on the Vale Park terraces in the 1950’s.
Port Vale’s Czechoslovakia Tour, 1960
We present a series of photos taken by two of the actual players involved in Port Vale’s Czechoslovakia Tour which took place in 1960.
The Sprosons – Port Vale’s ultimate family
A legendary family for Vale followers, Rob Fielding look back at the extraordinary loyalty of three generations of Sprosons.
The Welsh wizard
The story of Port Vale’s Welsh striker Andy Jones rivals anything that “Roy of the Rovers” has ever produced. From non-league player to full International in just two seasons, here is his remarkable story.