Port Vale Football Club is pleased to announce a new initiative that will allow fans to purchase tickets from two local pubs on match days.

Ye Olde Crown in Burslem and Vale Social, previously known as Tommy Cheadle’s, will be selling tickets over the bar in the hours leading up to each home Football League game, should the club decide to move forward with the scheme.

This initiative will be trialed for the Getafe game this Saturday for adult* tickets for the Lorne Street Stand and Railway Paddock.

Should the club decide to continue with the scheme into the new Football League season, tickets for the Railway Stand will also be available.

Club Chairman Norman Smurthwaite said: “We hope this new initiative will reduce queues at the ticket office on match days.

“The club understands fans’ frustrations when there are large queues in the lead-up to kick-off and this is being trialed to try and combat that.”

Tommy Cheadle’s has recently been rebranded as Vale Social after it was taken over by life-long fan and local pub owner Shane Ratcliffe.

“Shane has invested a significant amount of money into the club and has demonstrated his commitment by taking on Vale Social,” Mr Smurthwaite added. “I want the fans to support him because he is supporting the club.”

Mr Ratcliffe said: “I’m a long-time supporter of Port Vale, I love the club and my pub in Burslem is a big Vale supporters’ pub.

“I’m just glad Norman has given me the opportunity to run Vale Social and I hope we can bring in some money for the club and local community.”

*Concessions tickets of any kind will not be available to purchase from Ye Olde Crown or Vale Social.