Four Legends Announced As Focal Point for Community Mural

Vale Park

We are proud to announce that - following a supporter vote - John Rudge, Roy Sproson, Robbie Earle and Tom Pope have been confirmed as the four featured Vale legends in our community mural.

The mural, a tribute to both the club's heritage and supporters, will be crafted by Helen Marshall of the People’s Picture, using submitted photographs, creating a unique mosaic that brings generations of supporters and heroes together in a single powerful image.

This initiative invites supporters from all walks of life to contribute their photos, past or present, to become part of a lasting tribute that will be proudly displayed at Vale Park. 

  • John Rudge – There’s only one word to describe Rudgie: legend.  His name is synonymous with the club’s golden era. Rudge guided us to promotions and memorable cup runs during his near-20-year tenure. John was recently honoured with a statue at Vale Park to celebrate his 80th birthday and immeasurable impact on the club.
  • Roy Sproson - The one-club man who made more than 800 appearances in a Vale shirt and later managed the team, Sproson remains the very embodiment of loyalty and dedication, with a statue standing proudly outside Vale Park.
  • Robbie Earle - A midfield dynamo and fan favourite of the 1980s, Earle rose to prominence at Vale before going on to play on the international stage.
  • Tom Pope – Our post-war record goal scorer, Popey is a proud local lad who got to represent his side (and scored plenty of goals in the process!). A player that wore his heart on his sleeve and etched his name into club history.

This community mural will be composed of images submitted by supporters, turning each fan into a part of the artwork, whether it’s a selfie at Vale Park, a decades-old matchday photo, or a cherished family moment in black and white. Every picture tells a story and alongside your photos, we want you to tell us what Port Vale means to you.

Submissions are open until Saturday 9th August, and all fans are encouraged to take part.

Full details on how to submit photographs are available by clicking here.