Football League 2
Saturday 18th August 2012
Kick off 3.00pm
Stadium Vale Park Hamil Rd, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1AW
Telephone 01782 655 800
Club Colours White & Black
Nickname Vale or The Valiants
Official Club Website www.port-vale.co.uk
Key Personnel
The vastly experienced Manager Micky Adams was a full back and his clubs include Gillingham, Coventry, Leeds United, Southampton and Fulham between 1979-97.
He was then appointed Fulham’s player-manager, before spells as manager at Swansea, Brentford, Brighton (twice), Leicester and Coventry. He accepted the Managerial post at Vale in May 2009.
Brief Directions by Road
Vale Park can be found in the town of Burslem one of the six towns that link to form Stoke on Trent.
M6 to its junction 15 and take the A500 signposted Stoke on Trent. Continue over two large roundabouts looking out for the A527 at the next, signposted Tunstall and Burslem. At the next smaller roundabout turn right onto the B5051 (Newcastle Street). This will bring you into the Town centre. At the next roundabout carry straight on and straight ahead at the traffic lights into Moorland Road. You will see Hamil Road second to your left.
Car Parking
There is a large car park located outside the superstore next to the ground. Parking will cost £4 although limited street parking is available.
Directions by Train
The nearest station is Longport, which is just over a mile from the ground. It is on branch line with just one train an hour from Stoke-on-Trent railway station. The journey from Stoke takes only six minutes. Stoke-on-Trent station is around four miles from the stadium. The option of a taxi is favourite from Stoke-on-Trent which will set you back about £8.00 – made for sharing!
The Number 24 bus from the station runs close to the ground.
Supporters Coaches
Barnet Football Club are running of Official Coach Travel for this season. The coach will leave the Pavilion at 10.30 and the ticket price is just £20.00. The Pavilion will be open from 09.00 for pre journey refreshments. Discounts on travel are available for season ticket holders, club members and Supporters Trust members. Bookings for coach travel for all 2011-12 season away games can be purchased online or by calling 0208 449 6325.
Eating and Drinking Locally
The recommended away fan’s pub is The Vine which can be found at Hamil Road, ST6 1AE. Tel: 01782 250294. It is a little on the small side but very welcoming. For the real ale enthusiasts among you try The Bulls Head at 14, St John’s Square ST6 3AJ. Tel: 01782 834153. It is an outlet for the local Titanic Brewery – which goes down well!
Usual array of boring old take always on offer so best bet is a meal in one or other of the aforementioned pubs. Unless of course you fancy a touch of class and some wine when you dine. In St Johns Square you will find Denry’s Restaurant Tel: 01782 838372, Edwardian Splendour and a superb yet seriously reasonably priced menu awaits according to one of my spies. For a truly top class Curry check out Kismet in Queens Street ST6 3EL Tel: 01782 818278. It was one of the earliest Indian Restaurants opened in the UK and is still going strong.
A fairly wide range of food and alcohol is available in the stadium.
The Social Club
The Social Club at the ground is technically not available to away fans although I know of a couple of Bees fans who have managed to experience the ambience.
Ground Description
The ground was originally laid out in 1950 and was designed to be “The Wembley of the North” with a capacity of 70,000. Pictures from the era illustrate vast terraces with wide exits while the main stand player’s entrance was to be a very grand affair. Alas it was never to be. The Lorne Street Stand as it is now known has been modified but is still to be fully completed. It has room for 5,000 plus 48 Executive boxes. Opposite we find the Tricell or Railway Stand (the railway lines behind it long since up routed). Originally a terrace, it was covered and partially seated in the mid 1950’s before becoming fully seated in 1991. The ‘Big AM Stand’ built in 1989 is where the most vocal of Vale fans congregate while at the opposite end of the stadium one finds the Phones 4u Stand which will be our home for the day. This fully seated and covered area can accommodate some 4,000. However please note that the rake of seating is quite shallow.
Rivals
Stoke City, Stoke City and Stoke City.
Admission Prices
Adults £20.50 OAP’s £15.50 Under 16s £9.00
Disabled supporters must make contact before the game 01782-655800 to make arrangements for reserved places in the Britannia Disabled Stand.
Our Last Meeting & Memories
Our last visit in March 2012 resulted in a fin 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Andy Yiadom and Ben May
The games against Port Vale during the 1993-94 season were full of goals. In front of over 7,000 at Vale Park in August, six goals rattled past Gary Phillips without reply, Bernie Slaven and Martin Foyle both grabbing hatricks. For the return December, a closer game also finished with a Valiants win by 3-2. Kelly Haag and Zeke Rowe were on target for the Bees in front of 3,100.
Celebrity Watch
The list of famous persons from Stoke on Trent is never ending but the following fantastic four were born and bred a corner kick from Vale Park. Robbie Williams, who incidentally is a huge Vale fan, ex National Lottery and Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, 17 (is that right?) times Word Darts Champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Ian Kilmister, better known of course as Motorhead front man ‘Lemmy’.
