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

Image caption,

Port Vale, based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1953-54

It's the start of FA Cup quarter-final week at Port Vale and manager Jon Brady is spelling out some home truths to his players after another demoralising defeat.

"It's just not good enough," says the Australian. "When you have players who play really well one week and the following two weeks don't, it's hard to fathom."

Since landing a money-spinning away tie against Chelsea after the headline-grabbing win over Sunderland on 8 March, Vale have lost four out of six in League One, the latest a 4-0 hammering at Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

Bottom of the table, 14 points from safety with just eight games left, Vale are hurtling towards relegation in their 150th anniversary year.

"I don't care about the Chelsea game, the season cannot end soon enough," messaged one angry fan to BBC Radio Stoke's post-match football phone-in show Praise and Grumble after the Wycombe game.

There are, however, many who do care about Vale's first meeting with Chelsea since 1929.

Despite the closure of Euston train station over Easter, 6,000 are travelling to Stamford Bridge for Saturday's last-eight tie (live on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer, 17:15 BST kick-off) in the hope of seeing their side pull off the unthinkable.

"Who knows, the players might actually turn up for this one," Jonny Hancock from Ale and the Vale, external podcast says.

Image caption,

Half and half scarves for Saturday's tie are on sale in Port Vale's club shop for £15

'Burslem needs some love'

Port Vale are the last club standing in the FA Cup from outside the Premier League and Championship. Despite a season to forget in the league, there is genuine excitement about their best run in the competition for 72 years.

More than a dozen coaches will head to Chelsea from the Ye Olde Crown, a few minutes walk from the ground in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

When Vale clinched automatic promotion from League Two last season, supporters packed the pub to celebrate and sing 'The Wonder of You', the Elvis Presley hit played before home games.

"I couldn't fit anyone else in that night," landlady Charlotte Ratcliffe recalls.

"The Vale players came in and it was so busy that they went behind the bar and started serving customers."

Charlotte's dad, Shane, a Port Vale season ticket holder, ran the pub up until he passed away in 2022.

"All I've heard from customers since Vale were drawn with Chelsea is: 'I hope I can get a ticket'," adds Charlotte. "It's big for the town."

Media caption,

Show them the 'Wonder of You'

Port Vale is not named after a specific town or borough like most clubs, with Burslem one of six towns that form part of the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

In 1876 a meeting took place in Port Vale House with the idea of forming a football team. Whether the club was named after the house is unclear, external but fans are proud of their club's identity.

A banner displayed at matches reads: In a country full of towns, cities and uniteds, there is only one Vale - Port Vale.

But what is Burslem, renowned for its rich pottery heritage, like?

"There's not a lot going on anymore unless you want a pub or a curry," adds Hancock. "It needs a bit of love but it's our home and the football club is such an important part of the town."

Burslem is the birthplace of the late Motorhead frontman Lemmy, while another famous singer grew up here.

The Red Lion pub, a few hundred metres from Vale Park, was the childhood home of singer Robbie Williams, Port Vale's most famous fan.

"We all know how much Burslem needs this club, but we also know how much this club needs Burslem," Williams said on a return visit after being named club president by Port Vale in 2024, two years after playing a sold-out charity concert at Vale Park, attended by 20,000 fans.

Image caption,

Singer Robbie Williams grew up a few hundred metres from Port Vale's ground

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."

Image caption,

A wall at Vale Park celebrates the club's past triumphs

The Chelsea tie will generate more income through broadcast fees and ticket sales, while Vale will pocket another £477,000 in prize money if they become the first club from the third tier of English football to reach the semi-finals since Sheffield United in 2014.

"I could watch it on television but I want to be at Stamford Bridge to support the team," says Hollins.

"This club means the world to me.

"I was born less then a mile away in Mitchell Street. My older brother, Ken, used to take me to matches when I was little and would lift me over the turnstiles. I will be back next season even if we get relegated."

Media caption,

Port Vale shock Sunderland in FA Cup victory

From Amazon delivery driver to facing Chelsea?

In a season of lows, Port Vale's win over Sunderland last month at least means they have beaten more Premier League clubs in 2026 than Tottenham.

"Show some fight and produce the same level of effort in previous FA Cup ties," says Hancock when asked what he expects from the team on Saturday.

"Make sure we don't disgrace ourselves. Chelsea have got individual players who earn more than our whole squad put together. But if we can make it horrible for them... who knows."

At least Ben Waine, who scored winners against Bristol City in the fourth round and Sunderland in the fifth, is back this weekend. Waine is a Newcastle fan who replicated Alan Shearer's trademark arm-in-the-air celebration after scoring against Sunderland.

The forward, 24, has been away with New Zealand during the international break, and scored against Chile in a friendly in Auckland on Monday.

While Chelsea's squad is worth £1.5bn, the market value of Port Vale's is about £8m, according to Transfermarkt., external

Several players come from non-league backgrounds.

Defender Connor Hall played for hometown club St Neots Town, while captain Ben Garrity appeared for Warrington Town.

Yet it is Ethon Archer's journey that perhaps sums up the FA Cup.

Three years ago the winger worked as an Amazon delivery driver while playing in the eighth tier of English football for Crawley-based club Three Bridges.

On Saturday, Archer, who is on loan from Luton Town, will be hoping to deliver one of the all-time upsets.

"It's what the FA Cup is all about," adds Hollins.

Media caption,

Port Vale player and Newcastle fan Ben Waine is surprised by Alan Shearer