Port Vale Football Club ‘A Step Back in Time’, a brand-new exhibition exploring significant shirts during the history of the club, is heading to The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

The exhibition which will also feature memorabilia from the local club will be open until Sunday 8 September 2024.

Shirts will be on display from unforgettable moments such as promotion to Division Two, what is now known as the Championship, for the first time in 32 years during the 1988/89 season and the shirt worn by the 2000/01 LDV Vans Trophy winning side, where the Valiants would go on to pick up their second piece of major club silverware within seven years of the Autoglass Trophy triumph by defeating Brentford 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.

The recent League Two Play Off Promotion Trophy will also be on display and a statue of John Rudge who is widely acclaimed as Port Vale’s greatest-ever manager.

Port Vale FC’s CEO, Matt Hancock, said: “I am absolutely delighted to launch our Port Vale FC exhibition at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.

“It’s fantastic to showcase the history of our club to not just Port Vale supporters, but football enthusiasts alike.

“Football plays a huge part in the lives of our supporters and seeing items from our storied past will hopefully bring back some really great memories of our club from decades gone by.

“I’d like to thank everybody involved in the project for allowing and supporting us with making the exhibition a reality and we all look forward to showcasing it over the next few months.”

Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “It is fantastic to have this new free exhibition at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and to have worked with Port Vale Football Club to bring it to life. This summer enjoy a journey of nostalgia by taking a walk down memory lane and reminiscing with the club.”

As part of the collaboration the club’s Dementia support group will also visit the newly opened City Archives at the museum to evoke further football memories.

The exhibition comes at the city is set to celebrate its centenary in 2025 and officially launch its plans for its 100th birthday and unveil the official logo next week. 

Council leader Jane Ashworth continued: “Our city’s football clubs play a big part in the lives of people across the city, creating a sporting and community culture. What a perfect way to kick start our centenary celebrations than having a summer exhibition centred around one of our much-loved football clubs.”

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm and Sunday 11am - 4pm.