Darren Moore’s Port Vale spell – the highs and lows
Darren Moore was Port Vale manager between 2024 and 2025. We look back at his spell’s highs and lows.
Long Read
A selection of our favourite articles from the OVF archives.
The Great Escape – when Port Vale won at Huddersfield Town in 1998 and stayed up
In 1998, things went right down to the wire as John Rudge’s side needed to win their final game at Huddersfield Town in order to stay up. Here are press clippings and video.
The best Port Vale XI you will never have seen play live
The concept is simple – a starting eleven of Port Vale players whose playing careers preceded all modern-day fans.
When Port Vale defeated Stockport County in 1983 to seal promotion
We have press coverage of the defining game of Port Vale’s 1982-83 season as John McGrath’s side beat Stockport County 2-0 to seal promotion to Division Three.
Nineteen signings in eleven seasons – Freddie Steele’s remarkable faith in his existing squad
Freddie Steele was the renowned manager of the awe inspiring Port Vale 1953-54 Iron Curtain side. His success was primarily due to his policy of consistent selection and faith in his squad.
Press coverage of Port Vale’s first-ever promotion in the Football League
The 1929-30 season really was a remarkable campaign for Port Vale but one that is barely remembered these days. In this feature we look at how the promotion was celebrated in the local press at the time.
How Port Vale’s jubilee celebrations were reported in 1926
With thanks to Kev Walshaw, here is a report of Port Vale’s 50th anniversary celebrations which took part in January 1926.
The cover design of every Port Vale matchday programme from 1951 to 2024
Our special feature shows an example of the Port Vale programme front cover design from the 1951-52 season up until the 2023-2024 season when regular programmes were discontinued.
A selection of Port Vale team photos – from 1898 to 2020
Browse through our selection of Port Vale FC team photos through the years…
How the opening of Port Vale’s Old Rec ground was reported in 1913
Port Vale’s Old Rec stadium was opened in September 1913. We take a look at how it was reported in the local media.
Looking back at Port Vale’s eleven promotions
To date, Port Vale FC have been involved in eleven promotion seasons since joining the Football League in 1892. In this special long read we look at each of the promotion seasons in chronological order.
A walkover, a bye and a controversial exit – the epic tale of Port Vale’s debut FA Cup run
Port Vale FC have had many epic FA Cup runs over the years and while the one in the 1885-86 season may be little known, it was one of the most dramatic in the club’s long history.
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…
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.
Port Vale player, maverick and war hero – the remarkable Leigh Roose story
We look back at a truly remarkable figure both on and off the pitch – a playboy, a goalkeeper so revolutionary that they changed the rules, a Vale player who upset Stoke City so much they were handed a ground ban and a decorated war hero – this is the extraordinary story of Leigh Roose.
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.
The crazy end to Port Vale’s 1933-34 season as the Valiants blow their chances of top-flight football
The 1933-34 season was Port Vale’s highest finish in the second tier until the John Rudge era. However, perhaps even more disappointingly, the club blew their chances of making the first division – a feat it has still failed to achieve. In 1934, the Valiants really only had themselves to blame…
There were clear warning signs about Peter Miller, nine years before he joined Port Vale
The chairmanship of Peter Miller is one of the real lowpoints of Port Vale’s proud history. However, if the then board had paid due diligence and checked press stories about Miller from back in 2002, then surely he would never have been appointed.
The David Flitcroft era – his 58 signings for Port Vale rated
During the last three seasons, director of football David Flitcroft made a mammoth 58 signings, either permanently or on loan, but how well did OVF think that the players did? Here’s our ratings…
The highs and lows of Andy Crosby’s spell at Vale Park
Andy Crosby spent twenty two months with the Valiants as coach and manager. We look back at his time at the club.
Darrell Clarke at Port Vale – his 26 month reign’s highs and lows
Darrell Clarke had one of the more successful managerial spells with Port Vale before his surprising dismissal in 2023. We look back at his reign’s high and low points.
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.
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.
Turf wars – the failed Blue Sky investment in Port Vale FC
We look back at the infamous “Blue Sky” investment into the football club and some highly controversial events in the club’s history…
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.
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…