11 Facts About Port Vale

The name of Port Vale continued in the North Staffordshire Federation League, and this new club were successful enough to be reinstated into the Football League in 1919.

However, the name of Port Vale was continued after ambitious minor league side Cobridge Church opted to change their name.

Port Vale moved into their new home of Vale Park in 1950, and a year later Freddie Steele was appointed club manager.

In 1967, former Ballon d'Or winner Stanley Matthews succeeded Jackie Mudie as manager, though he resigned a year later after Port Vale were expelled from the Football League for allegedly making illegal payments to players in contravention of FA rules – this punishment was reduced on appeal to a re-election vote, which the club won.

Port Vale was replaced by former player Brian Horton, who spent big to secure the club's second consecutive final-day escape from relegation.

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Port Vale returned to the role the following season and threatened to put the club into administration if a buyer was not found by May 2019, a fate which was avoided when Carol and Kevin Shanahan completed their takeover.

One study in 2019 ranked the Port Vale-Stoke City rivalry as the joint-28th biggest rivalry in English professional football, with the Port Vale-Crewe Alexandra game being the 14th biggest rivalry.

Port Vale maintain rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Walsall, as well as less significant rivalries with Burton Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Macclesfield Town.

Port Vale's best friend, TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes, is a Vale fan.

Record for the most appearances for Port Vale is held by Roy Sproson, who played 842 matches in all competitions.

Port Vale are the only club in the top four divisions of English football to have beaten the other 91 clubs of the Football League and Premier League in a competitive league fixture.