Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Port Vale Football Club and Port Vale FC Foundation are committed to jointly creating and maintaining a culture and environment that is welcoming to everyone. As outlined in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
Disability Access Officer
We are committed to ensuring that our club is accessible and welcoming to everyone, and we strive to provide an inclusive and positive experience for disabled supporters, visitors, and participants. Our Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) and wider team work together to support our fanbase with a wide range of access requirements.
If you have any specific access requirements or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Disability Liaison Officer in advance of your visit. We are always happy to help and welcome feedback on how we can continue to improve accessibility for all.
David Richards is our dedicated Disability Access Officer and can be contacted via email - David.Richards@Port-Vale.co.uk
Reporting Abuse
We operate a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse at Vale Park. If you hear any Abusive, Homophobic or Antisocial Language or witness any other bad behaviour of any kind please send a text to 07801 216 675 stating the Stand, Row Number and Seat Number of the offender.
You can also email report@port-vale.co.uk
Please note that all messages will be treated in confidence.
Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination
We are committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination at our football club, and together with the EFL and key stakeholders, we will hold those found using terms deemed inappropriate and abusive accountable.
Below is a list of organisations we work with throughout the football season. We encourage you to click through to their websites to learn more about how they are making football accessible for all.
Her Game Too
Kick It Out
Level Playing Field
Project 93
Rainbow Laces (Stonewall)
Show Racism The Red Card
You can read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy here
We have a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, discrimination, bullying, and harassment, and we are committed to ensuring that any such allegations are reported and addressed in accordance with the Club’s procedures; all reported incidents will be reviewed, investigated, and action will be taken as necessary.
This policy reflects our commitment to meeting and exceeding the requirements of the EFL Code of Practice (currently awarded Bronze, season 2024/25 and working towards Silver 2025/26).
The Club fulfils the statutory requirements of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to different (protected) characteristics, including: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership (including same sex marriage); pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sexual orientation, and sex.
We work hard to ensure that our staff and supporters demonstrate expected standards of behaviour, which are based on the principle of respect for others, and which relate to our inclusion standards. Discriminatory language and/or behaviour relating to age, disability, gender and gender identity, race, sexual orientation, and any other personal and/or protected characteristic are strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the stadium.
Our CEO Matt Hancock said: "At Port Vale, inclusion isn’t an initiative, it’s a responsibility and privilege. We are committed to creating a club where every staff member, supporter, visitor and member of our community feels valued and welcome. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sit at the heart of who we are, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Port Vale is a place where everyone can belong."
The Club reserves the right to impose any other sanctions as appropriate or necessary, which may include attendance at an educational workshop and/or a ban for one or more matches.
We support the work of national organisations and associated campaigns, including Kick it Out, Show Racism the Red Card, Level Playing Field, Her Game Too, Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Campaign and a number of other positive channels of support locally, such as attendance at key local events including Stoke Pride. We have an annual calendar of events and initiatives designed to educate and raise awareness of different themes related to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Port Vale FC takes the needs and interests of its staff and supporters seriously and we pride ourselves in having a well-trained team of staff who are equipped to respond to all alleged incidents of abuse, discrimination, bullying, and harassment in a timely and sensitive manner. We also welcome feedback from all parties as to how we can continue to develop our approach to maintaining an environment that is inclusive of everyone.
More information on our EDI work can be found on our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X and Linked In.
Port Vale FC – Cultural Review
In support of our on-going commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we undertook a cultural review, gaining feedback from staff on the culture at Port Vale FC.
A summary of some of the headline results can be seen below.
Staff were asked about how to rank the following statements about the culture of the club, with the results displayed below.
Staff were asked about their opinions on the following statements, with the summary of answers below:
Staff were asked what three words would describe the culture at the club, the results are below:
Staff were asked about how they felt the Senior Leadership Team impacted the culture of the club, which is outlined below:
