Port Vale manager Michael Brown will be plotting an instant return to League One in a brand new state-of-the-art dressing room thanks to the help of Stoke-on-Trent furniture manufacturer LiDR Contract Furniture.
The previous facilities were old, tired and uninspiring, but Brown will be hoping the new changing room will give his side a boost ahead of Saturday’s first home game of the campaign against Wycombe Wanderers.
The furniture manufacturer was able to carry out the work without impacting on the club’s playing budget, too.
The home and referee’s changing rooms have undergone a revamp thanks to Campbell Road based LiDR, whose Managing Director Andrew Leake and Director Eleanor Owen are lifelong Vale supporters. The company has an executive box at Vale where they entertain customers and guests.
The design of the facilities was inspired by changing rooms at Premier League clubs and includes new benching and cladding, upgrades to the ice bath area and photographs of former Vale heroes who have gone onto play at a high level or win trophies.
Director Eleanor, said: “We’ve been manufacturing furniture for over 30 years, so having the opportunity to use that experience to help the Vale is a great honour. This is the room where the team will prepare, plan and hopefully celebrate, and it now looks like a professional environment in which to do that.
“We hope the new changing room gives the players a lift heading into the first home match and we would like to wish Michael Brown, his staff and the team all the best for the new season.”
Port Vale Manager Michael Brown said: Michael Brown added: "We are delighted to have the new changing rooms. It's a huge help and this is from a local business as well. They have done a fantastic job, the boys are over the moon with it and long may we continue to have a good relationship with them."
Jo Stanner, Vale's sales and marketing manager, said: "We are all very grateful to Andrew, Eleanor and the team at LiDR for their hard work and support. We'd like to say thank you very much to them and their work will make a big difference to the team.
"We were also delighted another local firm, Novus, were able to assist by installing the new baths in the dressing room."