Hurtling towards relegation - but can Port Vale shock Chelsea in FA Cup?

Back at the ground and on a wall next to the Railway Stand are pictures celebrating Port Vale's past triumphs, including the Football League Trophy final wins over Stockport in 1993 and Brentford in 2001.

While Brentford have since gone on to establish themselves in the Premier League, Vale have never played in the top flight.

There have been memorable FA Cup occasions though, like the time Tottenham were beaten 2-1 here in 1988.

According to Port Vale's official website,, external Spurs boss Terry Venables took one look at the pitch and told star midfielder Ossie Ardiles that he would "get lost in the mud".

"I remember that day," fan Phil Hollins says as he waits in an hour-long queue for Chelsea tickets. "Almost 40 years on, we still talk about it."

Eight years after beating Spurs, Port Vale knocked out FA Cup holders Everton. Special moments like these, however, have been few and far between.

Even last season's promotion from League Two under Darren Moore, who was replaced by Brady three months ago, came at a cost.

Port Vale last week announced eye-watering losses of £6.1m.

While this season's five FA Cup wins have netted £614,250 in FA prize money, some fans have expressed concern about the club's finances.

Others are more relaxed about the future under husband-and-wife owners Kevin and Carol Shanahan, both long-standing Vale supporters who have invested millions of pounds since buying the club in 2019.

"It's like an angel has been sent from above," fan Mick Hughes says about Carol, who is also chair of the club. "She's someone who has the club at heart and is not just thinking about dollar signs."

Hollins adds: "Carol is a people person who does a lot for the community. The club opened on Christmas Day to feed 150 people. She cares."

While the losses "look scary on paper", says Hancock, he adds: "The Shanahan family do a lot right.

"The club is in a much better place than when they first took over. The facilities are a lot better and the season ticket prices have remained static in a time when everything is getting more expensive.

"It's just unfortunate the football side of the club is suffering at the minute."