Darkest Days: Port Vale’s expulsion from the Football League in 1968
Port Vale’s expulsion from the Football League was undoubtedly one of the club’s darkest days. We take an in-depth look at what happened and when…
Category: Long Read
A selection of our favourite articles from the OVF archives.
The promotion winning Port Vale player who fought in WW1’s major sea battle
The battle of Jutland in 1916 was the last major battle fought primarily by battleships. It must have been terrifying and a future Port Vale player was one of the sailors to take part in the conflict.
Football in lockdown – ten things we’ll remember from the 2020-21 season
In years to come, when we mention football in lockdown, it’s likely youngsters won’t believe their ears. So, as a document for them to look at in the future, here’s what fans in 2020-21 had to become accustomed to.
John Askey at Port Vale – his 23 month reign’s highs and lows
John Askey at Port Vale: we take a look at the highs and lows of the managerial reign of John Askey at Vale Park.
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.
Seventeen failures: Port Vale’s desperate record in the loan market from 2017-19
It is noticeable that current manager John Askey has been both highly selective and successful with his loan signings. Last season he made just two but they were both (Jake Taylor and Mitch Clark) a success.
The most important Port Vale giantkilling in its history took place in 1898
Most important Port Vale giantkilling: 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.
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?
The worst Port Vale XI as voted for by Valiants fans
Worst Port Vale XI: after much discussion and voting on the forum, here are the results of the worst-ever Port Vale XI.
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 best 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.
Jeepers keepers! The NINE goalkeepers Port Vale used in 2017
Since in the year 2017, Port Vale used an astonishing nine players in goal. We look through the list…
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
Here is a collection of older Port Vale hard men – players who als0 had a reputation as true tough guys…
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.
When Port Vale made the FRONT page of Melody Maker…
Yes, it really did happen. Coverage of Port Vale’s only rock concert made the lead headline on one of the country’s leading music magazines. And we have the images to prove it.
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”…
Robert Firth – Port Vale player and Real Madrid manager
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.
Bela Guttman – Why Port Vale tried to sign the 60’s “Mourinho”
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…
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.
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
MOLD board: 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.
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