Port Vale Travel – Saturday

Port Vale FC v Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 30th January 2010
Vale Park
Hamil Road
Burslem
Stoke-on-Trent
ST6 1AW
Phone01782 655800

When The Valients moved to Vale Park in 1950, it was their sixth home since their formation in 1876. “Burslem Port Vale” were founder members of the Football League Division 2 in 1892 when they moved from the Midland League. They failed to win re-election at the end of 1896 but returned to The League a couple of years later. In 1907, they were forced to resign due to financial problems and weren’t to return until they replaced Leeds City following their expulsion from the League for making illegal payments. The “Burslem” prefix had long been dropped when they moved to Vale Park in 1950 with their new home being tagged “the Wembley of the north” due to its size and planned developments.

Vale Park currently has a capacity of just fewer than 19,000 with visiting fans accommodated in the Phones4U Stand at one end of the ground. Admission is believed to be Adults £19, Seniors (Over 60) £12.50, Juniors (9-18) £8 and U9’s free. PLEASE NOTE, the turnstiles are cashless. You will need to but a ticket from the portacabin in the car park at the away end. Fans wanting to pay by credit/debit card will need to go to the main ticket office.

By Car – You have a choice of using the M5/M6 route or you can drive north on the A49 to join the A53 north of Shrewsbury and going via Market Drayton to arrive at M6/J15. From M6/J15, take the A500 towards Stoke then at the A527 exit, follow signs for A527/Tunstall/Burslem. At the next roundabout, turn right for Burslem Town Centre (Newcastle Street). Continue up the hill going straight on at an island and a set of lights. From Moreland Road, take the second left into Hamil Road and Vale Park is on your left. There is a large car park at the superstore next to the ground (£4) otherwise street parking. Distance is around 100 miles and you should allow two hours and a quarter.

Train – fans travelling by train will arrive at Stoke-on-Trent Station. The station is about four miles from the stadium. Take a number 24 bus to Burslem Town Centre.

HUISA – departs Radford's at 10.30 am with a fare of £14 (£15 non-members). Seats can be booked through The Club offices during normal hours or by phoning 08442 761939.

Alehouses – Burslem town centre is a ten-minute walk from the Ground. In St John’s Square you will find the Bulls Head. This is an outlet for the local Titanic Brewery and is well worth a visit. It is listed in “The Good Book”, also stocks Thatcher’s Gold on draught as well as a good range of visiting ales. Residents of Whitecross will be pleased to note that Strongbow is also served. On Moreland Road is The Red Lion. This again, stocks Titanic but bizarrely often has Archers from Swindon as well as decent food. The Leopard (6 pumps) and The Post Office Vaults (7 pumps) can be found in nearby Market Place.

There is a chip shop on May Street just a block from the ground called, unsurprisingly, The May Street Chippy.

Enjoy

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