Club issues statement on Sentinel dispute
Port Vale have released an official club statement regarding their ongoing dispute with the Staffordshire Sentinel newspaper.
Norman Smurthwaite
Find features and stories related to Norman Smurthwaite on Port Vale website onevalefan.co.uk
About Norman Smurthwaite
The English businessman became owner of Port Vale Football Club in November 2012. He qualified as an engineer and built a successful business career and property portfolio before retiring at the age of 50.
He was part of the investment group, led by Paul Wildes, that took Port Vale out of administration in November 2012.
Following Wildes’ departure, he took over as chairman of Port Vale in 2013. He resigned as chairman following relegation back to League Two in 2016–17 before returning to the role in 2018.
Smurthwaite denies Sentinel claims
EXCLUSIVE: OVF’s Rob Fielding was contacted by Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite who wanted to offer his version of claims by the Sentinel that the club banned the newspaper simply because it had the “temerity to ask the club (and chairman) about the delay in the arrival of limited edition third change shirts.”
Port Vale ‘ban’ Sentinel reporters
In an extensive report, the local newspaper The Staffordshire Sentinel claims that their reporter and photographer have been banned from press duties at Vale Park.
This just in, from a very trusted source…
In Rob Fielding’s latest blog, he takes a deliberately ironic look at Port Vale gossip and rumours.
Chairman: Port Vale is not for sale
EXCLUSIVE: OVF editor Rob Fielding speaks to Chairman Norman Smurthwaite about the recent round of rumours hitting the OVF forum.
Reasons to be cheerful on and off the pitch
OVF editor Rob Fielding says this latest column is solely to issue praise for Port Vale – both on and off the pich.
Vale will give vouchers to fans waiting for 3rd kit
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has announced that those Vale fans waiting for the third shirt will receive a discount for the club shop as a gesture of goodwill.
Positives (not negatives) for Norman’s honest statement
OVF editor Rob Fielding is full of praise for Norman Smurthwaite’s statement despite what some readers may think…
Port Vale chairman clears the air
Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite clarifies situation with regards to fan behaviour, police action, the Football League fair play regulations and former players.
Port Vale should be rightly proud of its rich heritage
OVF editor Rob Fielding hopes that Port Vale Football Club will continue to treat past players with respect and dignity. Rob Fielding writes… One of the more pleasing aspects of the joint-tenure of Paul Wildes and Norman Smurthwaite was the publication of a document which set out their vision or philosophy for the club. What […]
Time for Vale to be more customer-focused?
Rob Fielding says that while Norman Smurthwaite has done some great things, he has some constructive criticism about the club’s relationship with its customers.
Contract stalemate can’t wait till the summer
OVF editor Rob Fielding says the situation regarding the manager’s contract needs to be sorted by the end of this year, so that the club can move forward – either under Micky Adams or without him.
Adams’ future at Vale Park is still unclear
Micky Adams has refused to comment on contract negotiations to extend his stay at the club and has even hinted that this season could even be his last at the club.
Chairman’s Q&A in the Valiants Suite
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite will be in attendance at Thursday’s Supporters Club meeting to answer questions from supporters.
Smurthwaite: the complete Signal 2 interview
If you missed it on Friday, you can listen again to Norman Smurthwaite’s hour-long interview on Signal 2.
Adams: We’ll give the cup ‘a real go’
Micky Adams has told the Sentinel that he understands the importance of the Capital One as Vale take on local rivals Walsall on Tuesday evening.
A creditable summer’s work, now its down to the players…
Rob Fielding reflects on some “remarkably good off-pitch work”, hopes that the players rise to the task and pays tribute to OVF administrator Pete Tindall.
Two new signings for Vale?
Micky Adams has told the Sentinel that he hopes to add two more faces to his squad following conversations with owner Norman Smurthwaite.
Smurthwaite: No walk in the park
Norman Smurthwaite has told Port Vale fans to not take things for granted as the Valiants step up to League One.
Smurthwaite to re-assess playing budget
Norman Smurthwaite has told the Sentinel that he will “make sure there’s enough depth in our squad for next season” as he considers the possibility of increasing Micky Adams’ transfer funds.
SC: Finish Lorne St during the season?
Port Vale Supporters Club have published details of a meeting with Norman Smurthwaite during which the owner asked fans to send in their wish lists and also wants to know if there would be support for completing the unfinished part of the Lorne St stand during the season.
Norman tweets: sponsorship deal is done
A tweet from Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite confirms that a shirt sponsorship deal for next season has been completed and will be announced soon.
Don’t let Adams’ furore detract from Norman’s honest approach
In his latest column, Rob Fielding says that “Monday night’s performance did much to quell any doubts about how Norman Smurthwaite will fare” and “the early signs are promising…”
Watch: Smurthwaite at the Fans Forum
Supporters who were unable to attend the Fans Forum on Monday evening can watch a video of proceedings courtesy of the Port Vale Supporters Club.
Smurthwaite promises debt-free Vale
Sole owner Norman Smurthwaite delivered an upbeat message to a Fans Forum saying that “I want to rekindle the Bill Bell days.”
Wildes: Vale have ‘fantastic’ future under Smurthwaite
Former chairman Paul Wildes said it was “very hard” to leave Vale Park but he thinks the club has a “fantastic” future ahead of it under sole owner Norman Smurthwaite.