"It'll never happen at another club"
05/02/03 | by Alex Walker

It is a common argument during the Wimbledon/Milton Keynes debate to say that the situation that has caused the club to move towns is a totally unique one that would never happen anywhere else. Well for people who hold that view, have I got news for you...

Port Vale narrowly escaped having to leave their Vale Park ground this week when an a takeover bid from an Icelandic consortium was given the cold shoulder by the Football League. The groups controversial plan? For Port Vale to play their matches at rivals Stoke City's Britannia stadium.

Although the Britannia is a bigger and better equipped stadium, the Vale fans at a recent emergency meeting voted overwhelmingly against the idea of leaving their home for the last 53 years.

The Football League then refused to sanction the bid from Stoke Holdings on the basis that it "would not guarantee football at Vale Park". They did, however, give approval for three other bids, the favourite of which among the fans seems to be Valiant 2001 which according to Mike Salih of Stoke City Council has "a credible business plan for Port Vale, linked to the regeneration of Burslem."

"They see Vale Park playing a major part in the regeneration scheme of the town," he said. "The club brings crowds to Burslem and the more successful Vale are, the more people will visit."

Stoke Holdings are the Icelandic company who already own Stoke City FC. They hoped to take advantage of the possibility to make Port Vale FC and Vale Park separate companies, thus allowing them to sell Vale Park and make the football club play at the Britannia.

Thankfully, the fans of Port Vale succeeded in blocking the bid. Club secretary Bill Lodey explains: "The possibility of being merged with Stoke City to form one club would destroy the proud history of both clubs. And it would destroy what must be the most fierce rivalry between two sets of supporters, anywhere in the UK.

"The idea of moving from Vale Park to the Britannia Stadium must be something that could only be considered as a last resort."

He was commenting in reaction to claims made by the Port Vale administrator, Bob Young, who said: "The financial merits of having only one football ground in Stoke-on-Trent are overwhelming. It makes perfect financial sense for any new owners of Port Vale to sell Vale Park to a property developer and negotiate a ground-share agreement with Stoke City."

Port Vale have, for now, been saved as far as sharing a ground with their closest rivals goes. But the club is still in dire financial straights and in urgent need of regeneration. With so many clubs currently facing huge debts and grim financial futures, there may be more bids from outside parties whose main interests are making money, rather than respecting clubs' histories and traditions. What has happened to Wimbledon is not unique and allowing the club to relocate for financial reasons could set a dangerous precedent.

Related article: A question of morals

For more on the Port Vale situation and to sign a petition agaisnt at move to the Britannia stadium, visit the excellent One Vale Fan site: www.onevalefan.co.uk