The history of Port Vale F.C., an English association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, began with the formation of the club, which was probably in 1879. In 1884, the club moved to the town of Burslem, changing their name to Burslem Port Vale in the process. The club joined the Football League Second Division upon its formation in 1892. In 1907, the club's name was reverted to Port Vale Football Club when the club moved to The Old Recreation Ground in Hanley. The club then moved in 1950 to Vale Park, an all-seater stadium located in Burslem with a capacity of over 20,000; the old stadium was demolished later that year.
Probably the clubs greatest achievement, other than surviving over 130 years, including times of great financial hardship and expulsion from the league, is the FA Cup run of 1953–54 where they reached the semi–finals. The club have twice come close to the highest tier of English football; in 1930–31 they finished fifth and in 1996–97 they came eighth.
Read more about History Of Port Vale F.C.: 1876 or 1879?: Founded in The Mists of Time, 1879–1907: Early Years, 1907–1919: Years in The Wilderness, 1919–1929: Back With The Big Boys, 1929–1939: Pre–war Ups and Downs, 1939–1950: World War II and The Post–war Revival, 1950–1959: New Stadium, New Triumphs, 1959–1969: The Sixties, 1969–1983: Just Getting By, 1983–1999: The Rudge Era, 1999–2003: Post–Rudge Worry, 2003–2011: Barely Surviving Under Valiant 2001, 2012–present: Paul Wildes in Control
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“In the vale of restless mind
I sought in mountain and in mead,
Trusting a true love for to find.”
—Unknown. Quia Amore Langueo (l. 1–3)