Vale Park stadium
Find features and stories related to the Vale Park stadium on Port Vale website onevalefan.co.uk
About Vale Park stadium
The stadium, situated in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent has been Port Vale’s home ground since it opened in 1950.
Originally designed to be the “Wembley of the North” a lack of finances meant the original plans were never completed. Nevertheless, a club record attendance of 49,768 was recorded for a game against Aston Villa in 1960.
In the late 1980’s and 1990’s a number of stands were redeveloped as the ground was converted into an all-seater stadium. Work began on the Lorne Street stand in 1998 and has yet to be completed.
Modern capacity of the stadium is around 19,000.
Potential legal dispute over ownership of Vale Park buildings
A possible legal dispute over the ownership of buildings at Vale Park could take place in the near future.
The quiet centurion of Vale Park…
Nestling quietly in the corner of the Vale Park stadium is an often overlooked but unique slice of club history.
Five things for any new owners of Port Vale to consider
Rob Fielding outlines his own personal wishlist of items that should be high on the agenda of any future Port Vale owner.
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.
Police numbers at Doncaster game nearly double those at Millwall fixture
A freedom of information request from OVF to Staffordshire Police has revealed surprising policing levels for games at Vale Park.
Cash turnstiles to be trialed by Vale
Port Vale will trial three cash turnstiles for the FA Cup game against Maidenhead United on Sunday.
Will Timmy Mallett be at Vale Park to support Maidenhead’s cup bid?
Port Vale fans may not know much about their FA Cup opponents Maidenhead United – but one of their supporters is more well-known.
Independent review into Port Vale policing to take place
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has commissioned an independent review into the way football matches are policed in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Smurthwaite: Vale Park flats will save club £40,000 per year
Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite says the building of up to five apartments in the corner of the Lorne Street and Hamil Road stands will save the club up to £40,000 in accommodation costs each year.
Owner looking to build Vale Park ‘apartments’
Port Vale Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has indicated that he is looking to build a block of apartments on the corner of the Vale Park stadium.
Video: Vale Park floodlight work begins
Port Vale have begun work on much-needed improvements to the Vale Park stadium’s floodlights.
Vale owner unveils matchday safety changes
A statement by owner Norman Smurthwaite has revealed that the club has undertaken a raft of safety measures after the club’s use of the former Normid car park was revoked.
Land purchase could secure long-term financial future
Rob Fielding thinks that the news that Vale are seeking to add the former Co-Op site could be the most significant move of the summer.
Is the time right (or wrong) to look into a new Vale ground?
OVF editor Rob Fielding has been an advocate of a new ground for some time – but the sticking point would be funding the move.
Should Vale Park have been completed last century?
Yes, hindsight is a fine thing, but Rob Fielding argues that an alternative design for the Lorne Street stand would have been a better option for the club.
Magazine details the history of Vale Park
New magazine FOOTBALL WEEKENDS features an extensive article on the history of the Vale Park ground by OVF editor Rob Fielding.
Railway stand closed for Crawley game
Port Vale have announced the closure of the Railway Stand for Tuesday’s game against Crawley.
Neighbours to ground-share at Vale Park?
In a generous gesture by owner Norman Smurthwaite, Port Vale are set to offer the use of Vale Park to crisis-hit non-league neighbours Norton United.
Vale Park opening day songsheet, 1950
Vale Park opening day songsheet: here is the songsheet that was distributed to Port Vale fans for the first-ever game at Vale Park – the match against Newport County on 24th August 1950.
Photo shows Burslem without Vale Park
A 1934 aerial image on the website Britain from the Air shows how Burslem looked before the Vale Park stadium was constructed on the Hamil Road.
The programme from Vale Park’s first floodlit game, 1958
Vale Park’s first floodlit game: thanks once again to Stuart Dean, we have the matchday programme plus a report from the Sentinel from this notable occasion.
The first Vale Park match programme
We are delighted to produce one of the most significant match programmes in the entire history of Port Vale FC – the first Vale Park match programme.
Video Vault: the Hamil Road stand reopens
A brief news article explaining the redevelopment of the Hamil Road stand including interviews with chairman Bill Bell and manager John Rudge.
No place for racism at Vale Park
OVF editor Rob Fielding applauds the fans who reported racist chanting at Vale Park and agrees with the club that fans engaged in racist chanting should be booted out. Rob Fielding writes… I applaud the proper Vale supporters who reported the racist chanting last weekend. They are proper fans… Since I opened the OVF forum […]