Football League 2
Tuesday 25th November 2008
Kick off 7.45pm

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 Manager Dean Glover

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). 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, which will costs £4 although 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 old age problem is time factor please check carefully for the availability of return trains after the game.

Supporters Coaches
The BFCSA is running a coach to this fixture and the fare is £30.00 for adults and £25.00 concessions. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day.

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.

The Social Club
The Social Club at the ground is not available to away fans according to all the PVFC websites although I must confess this question was not answered when I E mailed the club.

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 evening. 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 £19, OAP's £12.50, Under 16's £8

Family Tickets: 1 Adult + 2 Under 16's £31, 2 Adults + 2 Under 16's £46. 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
We have met Port Vale on just two occasions both during the 1993/94 season in the then Division 2. 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 yet that also finished as a Valiants win by 3-2. Kelly Haag and Zeke Rowe were on target for the Bees in front of 3,100.

Overnight Stay Factor
The OSF is a lowly 2/10 as this is a midweek fixture. However those wishing to enjoy the delights of Stoke on Trent the following Pub B&B's come recommended. The Sneyd Arms (01782 826722) which is only a mile from the ground and the George Hotel in Burslem only ½ mile away (01782 577544).

Celebrity Watch
The list of famous persons from Stoke on Trent in never ending but the following fantastic four were born and bred a corner kick from Vale Park. Dancer and Frank Sinatra impersonator Robbie Williams, who incidentally is a huge Vale fan, ex National Lottery and Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, 13 times Word Darts Champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor and Ian Kilmister, better known of course as Motorhead front man 'Lemmy'.