"We really could do with those supporters coming back so we can make the club, not just part of the community, but on an even keel again and really pushing towards the top half of the league. ", Kevin Shanahan added: "The key thing is that were able to put a budget together which has a proper amount for players. [40] There was no avoiding relegation in 19992000, though, as they were some thirteen points short of safety. [39] He also installed Colin Garlick as the club's CEO, and in January stated that "I'm only really involved now when it comes to prising open the sweetie jar for the money". Residents spotted that the markings on the new Etruria Valley link road were incorrect. Match ticket and travel information for the Vale's trip to Morecambe on Saturday 21 January (3pm kick-off). [22] He further had to deny claims that he was picking the team, stating that first team matters were purely down to Rob Page. [56] During this time the club was serving players unsold pies from matchdays in order to save money. [87] Another famous fan is darts legend Phil Taylor; Burslem born, "The Power" is a 16 time world champion of the sport. The manager has steered the Vale clear of relegation trouble since he was appointed on February 4. CLUB DOCTOR: Dr Peter Grime, MA (Cantab), MB, B.Chir (Hons), MRCGP, Dr Tom Leggett , MBChB, BSc, Dr James Davies MBChB. Carol and Kevin Shanahan have bought Port Vale from Norman Smurthwaite, Sign up NOW for your daily Port Vale newsletter straight to your inbox. As a society we face unprecedented challenges because of the pandemic and Im extremely proud to see the charity I founded and the companies I run playing a key role in putting local communities, families and people first., Note: For more information about the Hubb Foundation, visit: TheHubbFoundation.com. However, owner Carol Shanahan has now confirmed the club are hoping the move will instead happen in time for the start of the 2023/24 campaign. The freehold and the land around is now owned by the club.". Bill Bratt William Amos Bratt MBE (born 1945) is an English insurance broker and former football club chairman who was the chair of Port Vale from 2003 to 2011. [67] An area prone to flooding, today Westport Lake now lies where the ground once stood. TikTok video from Dion \ port vale owner (@portvalebloxburg). and took its name from the valley of canal ports where the team played. "On behalf of the club, Carol and Kevin would like to thank everybody for their huge support during this process and look forward to the future success of Port Vale.". Also present was our man, Mike Baggaley, but he was sworn to secrecy. [10] He later issued a statement saying that the wage bill budget set by the club in the summer was over-ambitious and that he had been forced to meet the 1 million budget deficit out of his own pocket. [40] Two months later, Smurthwaite used the OneValeFan fansite to ask supporters to vote whether he should sell the club to one of two hedge funds that he said had met his asking price for the club. Port Vale's new owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan, Port Vale - the Smurthwaite years in 20 pictures. Ron Suart has served as both caretaker and interim manager. [64] From 1982 the club introduced a design based on that of a schoolchild who won a competition, which featured a bottle oven and the Stafford knot, associated with the city of Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry and the history of the local area. [61], Around November 1920, club chairman Frank Huntbach came up with the nickname of "the Valiants". Fans have jumped at the chance to attend the event, at which Carol and Kevin Shanahan will be guest speakers. [1] However, documented evidence of football from that era is extremely scarce and research by historian Jeff Kent indicated that it was probably formed in 1879 as an offshoot of Porthill Victoria F.C. [71] Outside the ground is a statue to Roy Sproson, who played 842 competitive games for the club. When people ask, Why did you buy the Vale?, I say, Well somebody had to and nobody else was going to do it. But had we not done so, it would have gone into liquidation and we would have lost the club. On Monday, the Valiants still faced the threat of administration as owner Norman Smurthwaite prepared to bail out. [47] Smurthwaite appointed Neil Aspin as the club's new manager on 4 October, and also brought in John Rudge in an advisory role. [77][78], The club's official matchday programme is highly rated, and was voted the best in League Two in 201011. Norman Smurthwaite (born 8 August 1960) is an English businessman and former football club chairman. Carol and Kevin Shanahan take over a club that has just finished fifth from bottom of the Football League after a third successive season spent in a relegation battle. "We knew we had to come in and almost come and liberate the club. [20] In February, the home game with Doncaster Rovers was put into doubt after Smurthwaite refused to pay extra policing costs that Staffordshire Police had demanded following intelligence that there would be troublemakers instigating violence at the game. [88] The singer Simon Webbe was signed up to the club's youth side as a teenager until a torn ligament at age seventeen put an end to any sporting ambitions. TikTok video from Dion \ port vale owner (@portvalebloxburg). Although there is no official launch date yet, Vale traditionally reveal their kit for the forthcoming season in the middle of June. "But the first action we took was to buy Vale Park too. 21707 Vale Pass, San Antonio, TX 78255 is for sale. Carol Shanahan said: "It is a new era. Tickets for the Vale's final match of 2022 at Sheffield Wednesday have now sold out with over 3,000 Valiants heading to Hillsborough on Thursday! [68] The club received 13,500 for the ground, which they needed to pay off a 3,000 debt. [43] Smurthwaite issued a statement on 2 May apologising for relegation, and stated that he would be stepping down as chairman and would no longer attend games as he looked to sell the club. 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. [65], A table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:[66]. The Rent Zestimate for this home is $2,199/mo, which has increased by $2,199/mo in the last 30 days. [59] On 1 March, Synectics Solutions owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan revealed that Smurthwaite had rejected their improved offer of 3.5 million for the club. [25], Smurthwaite was rumoured to have planned to sack Page live on BT Sport if the club lost an FA Cup First Round replay to Maidenhead United, though he dismissed the rumour as untrue. Sheffield Wednesday have sold their 3,700. The club had little success throughout the 1960s and 1970s, despite being briefly managed by Stanley Matthews, and were forced to apply for re-election after breaking FA rules on illegal payments in 1968. [10] The club moved to Moorland Road in Burslem in 1884, changing its name to Burslem Port Vale in the process, though stayed in Burslem for just one year before both turning professional and moving to Cobridge to play at the Athletic Ground. The Shanahans also hinted that one of their first jobs will be to secure manager John Askey's future on a more permanent basis. It is a privilege for me to co-Chair the Opportunity Area Partnership Board with her. Today's news confirms the end of Smurthwaite's six-and-a-half years as owner of the club. in reference to founder Rob Fielding's location. The Shanahans, both long-standing Vale supporters, who own Potteries-based firm Synectics Solutions, have bought the club in its entirety. Last updated on 7 May 20197 May 2019.From the section Port Vale. Anyone who comes to the ground now can see theres been a lot of changes, he said. If your football club is doing well and you have that feelgood factor, its like an epicentre. Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has sold the League Two club to local IT firm owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan. [7] After playing at the Athletic Ground in Cobridge and The Old Recreation Ground in Hanley, the club returned to Burslem when Vale Park was opened in 1950. With 215,206 supporters turning out in 46 League Two games during the 200910 season, Vale attracted an average league attendance of 4,678. In order to use the live chat functionality you need to opt into live chat cookies. Doors open at 7pm for the 7.30pm start. He explained: "I have been offered a contract. It has been a humbling experience. OWNERS: Carol Shanahan OBE, Kevin Shanahan. [35] Upon appointing Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro, the club's first manager from outside Britain, Smurthwaite stated that: "It has been a long, extensive process but I'm absolutely certain we have the right man for the job. [25] The 197980 season saw Port Vale finish 20th in the Fourth Division (88th overall), the club's worst ever finish. The Shanahans are regulars at Vale games, home and away. Where families didnt have WiFi, Carol ensured they were supplied with dongles. [67], Last edited on 16 December 2022, at 16:33, "Millionaire Coventry City fan who has just bought Port Vale", "Port Vale vs SAFC: another Who are You?, a big Sunderland connection", "Port Vale takeover: 'Fans are key to the future prosperity of club', "Smurf won over by the passion of supporters", "Port Vale: Chairman Paul Wildes steps down after six-month reign", "Sentinel reporter Michael Baggaley banned from the press box at Vale Park", "Club finances under scrutiny after chairman Norman Smurthwaite gives plea of poverty to football agents", "Smurthwaite responds after Port Vale's finances come under spotlight", "Micky Adams won't rush new contract deal", "Winding-up petition will not harm club, says chairman", "Port Vale axe season tickets for lottery agents", "Port Vale community scheme moves to Hanley after row with football club", "Manager Micky Adams in the market for two more players", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite plans to bring in more Premier League youngsters", "Port Vale appoint interim boss as manager", "Chairman turned down Hasselbaink amid racist fan chants accusation", "Chairman says away-only Vale fans might as well support Stoke City", "Port Vale: Claims that Norman Smurthwaite 'threatened to close club' over police row", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite stands by decision to refuse police bill", "Norman Smurthwaite makes clear that Rob Page runs the team", "Chairman not planning to sell club and believes email was a hoax", "Chairman warns of Plan B if Ribeiro's team aren't challenging for top six by Christmas", "Norman Smurthwaite says Rob Page didn't face TV sacking at Maidenhead", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite puts League One club up for sale", "Chairman scraps plans to sign striker after FA Cup exit", "Norman Smurthwaite puts club up for sale", "Buyer will need more than 4m for club and ground", "Norman Smurthwaite says he was beaten up by three Vale fans", "Norman Smurthwaite plays down rumours of buying Torquay", "Chairman criticised by anti-racism group over Hasselbaink decision", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite says he wanted Rob Page out", "Valiants reveal press conference to unveil new manager", "Valiants confirm Bruno Ribeiro is new manager", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite says Plan B has been triggered", "Port Vale: Ribeiro's future may rest on Mourinho and contacts", "Bruno Ribeiro: Port Vale manager resigns after Walsall defeat", "Michael Brown: Port Vale caretaker boss judged on results, says chairman", "Port Vale chairman says bidders have met asking price for club", "Port Vale relegation COMMENT: Fans let down by woeful decisions", "Norman Smurthwaite stands down as Port Vale chairman", "WATCH: Burslem-based IT firm makes 1.25m bid to buy Port Vale", "Norman Smurthwaite rejects both local bids for Port Vale", "Port Vale's Norman Smurthwaite says he was against appointment of Michael Brown", "Port Vale: Gateshead manager Neil Aspin returns to former club as manager", "Norman Smurthwaite reveals talks to sell Port Vale have fallen through", "Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite completes deal for Nuneaton Borough's ground", "Norman Smurthwaite replaces Tony Fradley as Port Vale chairman", "Port Vale owner set to stay in hospital for second night after he is hit by car", "Neil Aspin: Port Vale manager resigns after 15 months in charge", "Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale owner seeks police help over supporters' abuse", "Port Vale: Kyle Howkins, Callum Whelan and Toby Edser join on loan", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite issues statement as fans plan protest", "John Askey: Port Vale appoint ex-Shrewsbury & Macclesfield boss as new manager", "Synectics Solutions' 3.5m bid for Port Vale is rejected today", "Carol Shanahan: 'Why we want to buy Port Vale', "Port Vale supporters protest against owner amid administration claims", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan", "Former Port Vale owner makes bid for non-league giants, claims report", "Former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has his say over Notts Co report", "Businessman linked with Notts takeover ready to rescue Bury", "Wigan Athletic bidder drops out of the race", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norman_Smurthwaite&oldid=1127781124, This page was last edited on 16 December 2022, at 16:33. Something went wrong, please try again later. records and statistics, List of Port Vale F.C. During the pandemic lockdown Carol oversaw the transformation of Port Vale FC into a thriving community hub which has been assisting thousands of families across Stoke-on-Trent for more than six months. [72], The club has a fierce rivalry with Stoke City, as City are based in the town of Stoke-upon-Trent, but only a small percentage of residents in the town are Vale fans. IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The atmosphere was different and it has been every match since.". [73] Stoke and Vale first met on 2 December 1882, and played out a total of 44 Football League games up until 10 February 2002, when the two clubs last met in the Second Division; Stoke won the first match 10, whilst Vale were 10 victors in the latest encounter. It was horrible coming to games. The co-owner and chair of Port Vale Football Club has been made an OBE for services to the community in Stoke-on-Trent. [32] He was also criticised by Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion organisation, after admitting that he had denied Hasselbaink the opportunity of being Port Vale manager due to his concern that a black manager would be abused by some supporters. The team plays in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. [19] However, after these achievements the club were once again relegated in the 193536 season and remained in the third tier until World War II. The history of Port Vale begins in 1876. Askey is out of contract at the end of the month and has been offered a new deal. "With the new owners coming in, I think a lot of things are going to change at the football club and people will get treated right. Port Vale players take part in a training session. "We viewed it as the loved one was being held hostage and we had to pay the ransom to free . However, List of Port Vale F.C. [13], The club were forced to resign from the league at the end of the 190607 season and were subsequently liquidated. Speaking in advance of the deal, Supporters' Club chairman Mark Porter said: "I think the fans should come back in their thousands. Since Carol and Kevin came in, its given everybody a lift, not just here but the whole area. [50] He returned formally to the role of Port Vale chairman the following month. He and his then business partner Paul Wildes bought Vale and the ground from the administrators for 1.25m in November 2012. Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said: Carol is one of the most exceptional community leaders and business women in the UK a key driver of community work in Stoke-on-Trent. He qualified as an engineer and built a successful business career and property portfolio before retiring at the age of 50. Carol Shanahan bought the club in 2019 and manager Darrell Clarke secured promotion out of the League Two play-offs at the end of the 202122 season. [96] The first Vale player to score in an international match was Sammy Morgan, who scored for Northern Ireland against Spain on 16 February 1972. [52] The club entered administration on 9 March. Carol and Kevin have put their money where their mouth is. [58] He 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. Port Vale is under new ownership. The owners of Burslem-based Synectics Solutions have purchased the football club whilst the freehold of the ground, which includes the land and stadium, has been purchased by the club through an independent financial vehicle - PV Holdings Limited. Brian Horton resigned in February, and was replaced by Martin Foyle. Port Vale Football Club can confirm that Harry Charsley has left the club by Mutual Consent and will join League Two side, Newport County. We moved 360 staff from Newcastle-Under-Lyme to a site next to the stadium in Burslem because we really wanted to help Burslem, she said. [24] However, the 1970s did not prove a successful period for the Valiants, as the club languished in the bottom half of the Third Division for much of the decade. Mrs Shanahan travelled to Windsor Castle this morning to receive the honour from His Royal Highness Prince Charles. The Shanahans, owners of Burslem IT firm Synectics Solutions, bought the club from Norman Smurthwaite in a deal that was signed on Tuesday morning. Watch Monday Night Football live at Vale Park on Monday 16th January as the Vale host Peterborough United (8pm kick-off). Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. [37][38] Ribeiro resigned as manager of Port Vale on 26 December, hours after witnessing his side lose 10 at home to Walsall; Smurthwaite put Michael Brown in temporary charge. Theres so much going on, in and around the club, and its great to be here. [45] A rival consortium also offered the same figure, but Smurthwaite rejected both offers. [66] He enquired for a move for Wigan Athletic, a club in administration, in September 2020, but pulled out after judging it to be too big of a risk and seeing a negative reaction from fans. "But now we have a clear vision. The big thing is not to over-promise. Flores joined the Port in 2013 and leads the design, construction and delivery of new real estate developments and facilities throughout the 1,900-acre campus. 2 bd 1 ba 1k sqft. [26] Despite this poor finish in John McGrath's first season, they eventually achieved their first success for thirteen years in 198283 by winning promotion out of the Fourth Division in third place. And they have now set their sights on changing the fortunes of a club that has been involved in relegation battles to stay in the Football League in each of the last two seasons, having been relegated from League One three years ago. [48] Aspin steered the club away from relegation by the end of the 201718 season, and in June 2018 Smurthwaite revealed that he had rejected another offer to buy the club from an unnamed bidder. And we know we can compete there.". "We're not going to gamble our future by spending ridiculous amounts," Carol Shanahan told BBC Radio Stoke. Mrs Shanahan travelled to Windsor Castle this morning to receive the honour from His Royal Highness Prince Charles. Port Vale's new owners, Carol and Kevin Shanahan, have made clear they were impressed with the job Askey has done since he was appointed on February 4. 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