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.
Tag: Iron Curtain
62 years ago: Port Vale reach their only FA Cup semi-final
March 27th 2016 marks the 62nd anniversary of Port Vale’s FA Cup semi-final game against West Brom.
Port Vale book available again
A well-received book about Port Vale’s legendary 1954 side – Men of Steele – has been given another print run.
Vale Legends No.2 – 1953-54 side
A new series of videos by OVF celebrate the achievements of key Vale players or officials. Our aim is to sum up their work for the club in a matter of minutes. Next up is the 1953-54 side…
1954 semi-final special – the front cover
To conclude our look at the Sentinel special marking the club’s FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1954, here is a Photoshopped copy of the front cover.
Port Vale v WBA, FA Cup semi-final special
Following on from the “players at home” feature, here are several more clippings from the Sentinel’s special on Port Vale’s 1954 FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion.
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.
Exclusive Iron Curtain charity mug for sale
OVF has a limited edition Iron Curtain mug for sale with the proceeds going to two Stoke-on-Trent based charities.
Coming soon: Iron Curtain charity fundraiser
In the next few days, OVF will be publishing details of a special item that we’ll be selling to raise money for our two chosen charities – the Donna Louise Trust and the Douglas MacMillan hospice.
60 years on: Vale’s proudest cup moment
To commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Port Vale’s FA Cup semi-final appearances, here is a documentary video on that legendary Iron Curtain side.
New Port Vale book on sale
A brand-new book about Port Vale’s legendary 1954 side – Men of Steele – is available to purchase for just £9.99.
Video: The 1953-1954 Port Vale Iron Curtain season
Thanks to Stuart Dean, we have a short documentary clip of Port Vale’s 1954 record-breaking side.
59 years on: Vale stun Matthews’ Blackpool
Wednesday 20th February 2013 is the 59th anniversary of one of Vale Park’s finest games of all time. Freddie Steele’s Iron Curtain side stunned FA Cup holders Blackpool (boasting Stanley Matthews and six other internationals) in a famous FA Cup giantkilling.
The heroes of ’54 get the magazine treatment
The excellent football nostalgia magazine Backpass has an extensive feature on Port Vale’s 1954 Iron Curtain side including an interview with Vale great Colin Askey.
Pictured: the goal that took Vale into the semi-final
Thanks to OVF reader Paul Rafferty, we have an image of Vale’s crucial FA Cup goal against Leyton Orient – the strike that secured Port Vale’s place in the semi-finals.
The moment Vale’s cup final dreams were dashed…
Whilst in the course of research for more OVF historical features, we were given these amazing images of Vale’s 1954 FA Cup semi-final clash with West Bromwich Albion.
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