Supporter Engagement Plan

To be a successful club, on and off the pitch, which is at the heart of our community. 

Extraordinary – Good people doing extraordinary things 

People-Centred – Placing people at the heart of everything we do by caring, driving and developing them to release their highest potential                                                                                           

Tenacious – Determined and resilient in the drive for success

Valiant – Bold in the decisions we make and the actions we take

Respectful – Maintaining a mutual respect between the club and our stakeholders      

• Acknowledged by industry leaders and competitors as the exemplar football club in the EFL
• Sustainably successful on and off the pitch
• Developing industry-recognised players and staff
• Welcoming and engaging an ever-increasing supporter base to Vale Park

• Establish and maintain a high-performance culture                                                                   
• Increase matchday attendance and supporter engagement                                                                
• Achieve financial stability and growth
• Enhance community engagement and positive impact 
• Ensure stadium and facilities are high quality and compliant        
• Promote a culture of diversity and staff well-being
• Strengthen compliance procedures and policies 
• Promote a cohesive and inter-connected club 

On behalf of Carol and Kevin and the entire team here at Port Vale Football Club, I’m proud to introduce our Supporter Engagement Plan for the 2026/27 season.

Having made plenty of positive strides in this area last season, we have continued to build on the work we have done to date, strengthening the relationship between the club and our supporters and ensuring their voices remain central to the decisions we make here at Vale Park.

Our Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) continues to provide invaluable insight, challenge and feedback to the club. It has become an important part of our ongoing dialogue with supporters and a fantastic collaborative body as we continue to shape the future of Port Vale together.

The last 12 months have been a significant period in the history of our football club as we have celebrated our 150th anniversary. It has been a time to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this point, while also looking ahead to the future and the next chapter in our story.

As we move into the 2026/27 season, our focus is on building on the progress we have made. We want to continue improving communication and supporter engagement, ensuring that we listen to our supporters, act on feedback where we can and remain open about the challenges and opportunities facing the club.

We will continue to hold ourselves accountable and work closely with key stakeholders, including the English Football League, to ensure we are aligning with industry best practice and continuing to evolve our approach.

This plan sets out our commitment to meaningful supporter engagement and provides a clear framework for how we will continue to work with our supporters over the coming season. We’re excited to build on the strong foundations we have created and to continue growing the relationships that mean so much to us.

As always, thank you for your support. We look forward to welcoming you back to Vale Park for another important season in the history of the club.

Matt Hancock

Having helped to set up the Supporter Advisory Board, it’s been fantastic to see how it has grown and developed over the past two years into something that genuinely reflects the voice of supporters. 

We’ve built a strong relationship with the club, and there’s a real sense that supporter views are being heard and valued within decision-making. What stood out again was the honest and constructive nature of the discussions, and a shared commitment to keep improving. 

As we move forward, we’re focused on widening that voice, bringing in fresh perspectives, and making sure fans continue to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the club.

Mark Porter

We believe this plan will continue to provide a sustainable framework for both the club and our supporters to deliver a more positive and engaging supporter experience for all.

We will continue to support the Supporter Advisory Board (SAB), the composition of which is set out in this plan below. As such, we will continue to provide a platform for formal dialogue with supporters, allowing us to take your insights and opinions to collaboratively shape the future of Port Vale.

This will be aligned with the club's matchday experience and ticketing, areas which the club has been working hard to improve in recent times.

At the end of each season, we will review and update this plan to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. 

The Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) is a structured and inclusive platform for discussions and long-term planning. Made up of appointed representatives from various supporter groups, club officials and independent members, the Supporter Advisory Board ensures a balanced and diverse perspective when it comes to decision-making processes.

With meetings focused on key areas impacting the supporter experience, community engagement and the club's strategic direction, the SAB will provide recommendations to senior leadership, promoting transparency and accountability.

• Structured engagement: The SAB operates as a formal advisory body, focusing on strategic discussions and long-term planning for supporter engagement.
• Diverse membership: Made up of appointed representatives from various supporter groups, club officials and independent members, ensuring a balanced and diverse perspective.
• Meetings per season: The SAB will host at least two meetings per season to discuss key areas impacting the supporter experience, community engagement and the club's strategic direction.
• Agenda-driven discussions: Meetings will be structured around pre-defined agenda items or themes.
• Advisory role: Provides recommendations to the club's senior leadership on critical matters affecting supporters.
• Minutes: Recorded and shared, with key points available to the wider supporter base.

Note: The Supporter Advisory Board is not involved in on-pitch football matters.

www.port-vale.co.uk/supporter/supporter-advisory-board

We value your input and will aim to ensure key staff members attend Supporter Forums to actively participate in club-related discussions, which serve as a platform for open dialogue and constructive conversations.

Supporter Forums will give supporters a chance to provide feedback and ideas, which will then be channelled into the SAB for further consideration and discussion.

Additionally, throughout the year, we will hold forums with the club's CEO, First-Team Manager and other senior staff.

To support supporter engagement on a day-to-day basis, our Supporter Liaison Officer (Josh Podmore), serves as the main point of contact for all supporter queries, suggestions, feedback and complaints. The SLO also steers findings and recommendations through to implementation.

Our Disability Access Officer (David Richards) serves as a dedicated point of contact for supporters with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met and their voices heard. The DAO is committed to accessibility and inclusivity, helping to create a welcoming and accessible environment for all supporters.

A dedicated team including our SLO, DAO, Foundation staff and volunteers, focused on enhancing the matchday experience for supporters. They are readily available to address any enquiries or issues supporters may encounter, ensuring that every matchday at our club is enjoyable, memorable, inclusive and family-friendly for everyone.

We will continue to offer comprehensive Supporter Guides to enhance the matchday experience, catering to both first-time supporters and seasoned match-goers.

These guides provide essential information about the stadium, matchday timings and facilities, ensuring that everyone feels prepared and informed before coming to Vale Park.

At the end of every season, we will reach out to supporters on our database through an annual survey designed to gather insights and feedback about the club.

This feedback will serve as a valuable resource for ongoing improvements and initiatives, ensuring that we continue to evolve every season.

We will continue to offer opportunities for supporters to provide feedback on how we can improve the matchday experience and wider supporter experience.

We strongly believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back, and so invite all supporters to get involved with our community outreach work, including volunteering opportunities with the Port Vale Foundation.

Whether you have time, skills or resources, there is a role for everyone to play in making a positive impact in our community. Additionally, Port Vale Foundation offers a variety of activities for supporters to participate in across all age groups.

New for this season, we have appointed life-long supporters Robbie Williams and Danni Wyatt as official Port Vale Foundation Ambassadors to help extend our profile and effectiveness.

Our events programme is designed to entertain and bring together the local community. From Sunday lunches to Comedy Clubs, and '80s nights to Christmas parties, there is an event for everyone.

We play host to an exceptional experience, fostering inclusivity and working hand-in-hand with our supporters. Our Supporter Charter can be accessed via our website.

Our Team Valiants programme is designed to reflect our supporters and the ways they get involved:

• Baby Valiants: 0-4 years old
• Mini Valiants: 5-12 years old
• Teen Valiants: 13-16 years old

The programme includes a 2026/27 replica home shirt, two free match tickets to dedicated Team Valiants fixtures, an access-all-areas training session and much more.

On home matchdays, we have a pre-match fanzone for supporters of all ages to enjoy, located on Car Park C (Hamil Road). A variety of food and beverage stalls will be available, as well as music, games and activities.

Due to ongoing pitch works, we are unable to host our annual open training session in 2026/27, but have instead committed to a meet-and-greet event with first-team players. 

Supporters can stay connected with all things Port Vale through our official social media channels, where you'll find all the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content and exclusive insights into the club.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube for regular updates, news and content from across the club. Match-going supporters can also receive further updates via our official WhatsApp broadcast channel.

Visit our official website to receive exclusive news, match previews, ticket offers and more, directly to your inbox.