Port Vale F.C.

[[File:Port Vale celebrate.png|thumb|Port Vale players celebrate the goal promoting them back to League One with the away end at [[Plough Lane]] on 26 April 2025.]]

[[File:Port Vale celebrate.png|thumb|Port Vale players celebrate the goal promoting them back to League One with the away end at [[Plough Lane]] on 26 April 2025.]]

Genuine hopes of promotion in [[2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season|2011–12]] were brought to an end after the club was issued with a [[Liquidation|winding up]] petition by [[HM Revenue and Customs]] on 29 February 2012; the club were by this time unable to pay tax bills, creditors, or staff wages.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Winding-up petition served against Valiants by HMRC|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114034808/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2013|access-date=29 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=29 February 2012}} The club entered [[Administration (British football)|administration]] on 9 March.{{cite news|title=Port Vale formally enter administration|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17230886|access-date=9 March 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2012|archive-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218053434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17230886|url-status=live}} The club finally exited administration on 20 November 2012,{{cite news|title=Port Vale exit administration as Paul Wildes completes takeover|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20415308|access-date=21 November 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2012|archive-date=28 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128024220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20415308|url-status=live}} and [[Tom Pope]] scored 33 goals to fire Vale to promotion back to [[EFL League One|League One]] with a third-place finish.{{Citation|last1=Sherwin|first1=Phil|first2=Dave |last2=Johnson|title=Port Vale This Side Up: 2012–2013 Promotion Celebration|publisher=BGL|year=2013|isbn=978-0-9926579-0-1}} They stabilised in the division under new boss [[Rob Page]], before chairman [[Norman Smurthwaite]] orchestrated the departure of Page and his squad in favour of the club's first foreign manager, [[Bruno Ribeiro]], in June 2016.{{cite news |last1=Bishop |first1=Matthew |title=Rob Page denies animosity ahead of Port Vale return |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=The League Paper |date=8 December 2016 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128130053/https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Bruno Ribeiro appointed as new manager at League One club |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |access-date=11 June 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310211240/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |url-status=live }} The result was relegation back into [[EFL League Two|League Two]] at the end of the [[2016–17 Port Vale F.C. season|2016–17]] season, after which Smurthwaite resigned as chairman.{{cite news|title=Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale chairman steps down|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411105551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|url-status=live}} 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 Shanahan|Carol]] and Kevin Shanahan completed their takeover.{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |access-date=9 May 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510082504/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |url-status=live }} Manager [[Darrell Clarke]] returned from close family bereavement to lead Vale through the [[2022 English Football League play-offs|League Two play-off]] semi-finals at the end of the [[2021–22 Port Vale F.C. season|2021–22]] season.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |access-date=20 May 2022 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=19 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519221533/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |url-status=live }} Promotion was secured with a 3–0 victory over [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] in [[2022 EFL League Two play-off final|the final]].{{cite news |last1=Aloia |first1=Andrew |title=Vale beat 10-man Mansfield to reach League One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604110146/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |url-status=live }} Clarke was sacked on 17 April 2023,{{cite news |title=Club Statement {{!}} Port Vale part company with manager Darrell Clarke |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=17 April 2023 |language=en-gb |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417073747/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |url-status=live }} and was succeeded by his assistant [[Andy Crosby]]. They reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time during the [[2023–24 Port Vale F.C. season|2023–24]] season. Crosby was sacked in February,{{cite news |title=Andy Crosby: Port Vale sack manager after one win in eight games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205185443/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |url-status=live }} and was replaced by [[Darren Moore]].{{cite news |title=Darren Moore: Port Vale appoint ex-WBA, Doncaster, Huddersfield & Sheff Wed boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2024 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213162514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |url-status=live }} However, Port Vale were relegated to League Two at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68804545 |title=Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Port Vale |website=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}} Moore led the club to bounce back with an immediate promotion in the [[2024–25 Port Vale F.C. season|2024–25]] campaign.{{cite news |title=Port Vale 0-1 Gillingham: Hosts fail to claim League Two title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgx7eplkmlt |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2025}} Moore left the club in December 2025, being replaced by [[Jon Brady]] the following month.{{cite news |title=Jon Brady: Port Vale appoint ex-Northampton Town boss as new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd9ex7k4vgyo |access-date=6 January 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2026}} The side was relegated back to League Two with three games still to play after a 1–0 defeat at [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on 22 April 2026.{{cite news |last1=Wathan |first1=Chris |title=Cardiff City 1-0 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cz0ej12v51dt#Report |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2026}}

Genuine hopes of promotion in [[2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season|2011–12]] were brought to an end after the club was issued with a [[Liquidation|winding up]] petition by [[HM Revenue and Customs]] on 29 February 2012; the club were by this time unable to pay tax bills, creditors, or staff wages.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Winding-up petition served against Valiants by HMRC|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114034808/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Winding-petition-served-Valiants-HMRC/story-15352947-detail/story.html?ito=SPT|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2013|access-date=29 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=29 February 2012}} The club entered [[Administration (British football)|administration]] on 9 March.{{cite news|title=Port Vale formally enter administration|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17230886|access-date=9 March 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2012|archive-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218053434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17230886|url-status=live}} The club finally exited administration on 20 November 2012,{{cite news|title=Port Vale exit administration as Paul Wildes completes takeover|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20415308|access-date=21 November 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2012|archive-date=28 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128024220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20415308|url-status=live}} and [[Tom Pope]] scored 33 goals to fire Vale to promotion back to [[EFL League One|League One]] with a third-place finish.{{Citation|last1=Sherwin|first1=Phil|first2=Dave |last2=Johnson|title=Port Vale This Side Up: 2012–2013 Promotion Celebration|publisher=BGL|year=2013|isbn=978-0-9926579-0-1}} They stabilised in the division under new boss [[Rob Page]], before chairman [[Norman Smurthwaite]] orchestrated the departure of Page and his squad in favour of the club's first foreign manager, [[Bruno Ribeiro]], in June 2016.{{cite news |last1=Bishop |first1=Matthew |title=Rob Page denies animosity ahead of Port Vale return |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=The League Paper |date=8 December 2016 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128130053/https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/6773/rob-page-denies-animosity-ahead-of-port-vale-return/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Bruno Ribeiro appointed as new manager at League One club |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |access-date=11 June 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310211240/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36576450 |url-status=live }} The result was relegation back into [[EFL League Two|League Two]] at the end of the [[2016–17 Port Vale F.C. season|2016–17]] season, after which Smurthwaite resigned as chairman.{{cite news|title=Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale chairman steps down|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411105551/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39779729|url-status=live}} 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 Shanahan|Carol]] and Kevin Shanahan completed their takeover.{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |access-date=9 May 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510082504/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48188086 |url-status=live }}

Manager [[Darrell Clarke]] returned from close family bereavement to lead Vale through the [[2022 English Football League play-offs|League Two play-off]] semi-finals at the end of the [[2021–22 Port Vale F.C. season|2021–22]] season.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |access-date=20 May 2022 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=19 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519221533/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-heading-wembley-after-7105187 |url-status=live }} Promotion was secured with a 3–0 victory over [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] in [[2022 EFL League Two play-off final|the final]].{{cite news |last1=Aloia |first1=Andrew |title=Vale beat 10-man Mansfield to reach League One |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604110146/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61532410 |url-status=live }} Clarke was sacked on 17 April 2023,{{cite news |title=Club Statement {{!}} Port Vale part company with manager Darrell Clarke |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=17 April 2023 |language=en-gb |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417073747/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/april/club-statement--port-vale-part-company-with-manager-darrell-clarke/ |url-status=live }} and was succeeded by his assistant [[Andy Crosby]]. They reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time during the [[2023–24 Port Vale F.C. season|2023–24]] season. /> Crosby was sacked in February,{{cite news |title=Andy Crosby: Port Vale sack manager after one win in eight games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205185443/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68209580 |url-status=live }} and was replaced by [[Darren Moore]],{{cite news |title=Darren Moore: Port Vale appoint ex-WBA, Doncaster, Huddersfield & Sheff Wed boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2024 |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213162514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68282297 |url-status=live }} but Port Vale were relegated to League Two at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68804545 |title=Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Port Vale |website=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}} Moore led the club to an immediate promotion in the [[2024–25 Port Vale F.C. season|2024–25]] campaign{{cite news |title=Port Vale 0-1 Gillingham: Hosts fail to claim League Two title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgx7eplkmlt |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2025}} but left the club in December 2025, being replaced by [[Jon Brady]] the following month.{{cite news |title=Jon Brady: Port Vale appoint ex-Northampton Town boss as new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd9ex7k4vgyo |access-date=6 January 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2026}} The side was relegated back to League Two with three games still to play after a 1–0 defeat at [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on 22 April 2026.{{cite news |last1=Wathan |first1=Chris |title=Cardiff City 1-0 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cz0ej12v51dt#Report |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2026}}

==Club identity==

==Club identity==