Cobblers fans were still housed in the (what is now called) Fones 4 U all seated stand behind the goal. This end holds in excess of 4000 and provides a reasonable view of the pitch. Toilets in the concorse behind were easily accessable and food facilities apeared to be good (although I didn't sample the cuisine). An unusual feature were the safety doors leading into the stand, with a steward doorman to open them for you.
The rest of the ground is all seater, with a new stand being built to the right of the away end. The railway paddock is to the right and joins the The Big Stand behind to goal at the opposite end by a small family stand in the corner. All in all Vale Park is a neat ground with good facilities, the seats are yellow, giving an all round smart appearance.
Price
An expensive £17 to sit behind the goal.
Atmosphere
Very very quiet, even when the goals went in. Vale Park hold over 20000, an the 4200 or so in attendance made very little noise. Most Vale fans had actually left when they scored twice in injury time.
Parking
I found a spot in a street only a minute of two's walk away. I heard someone comment that they charged £4 to park in the club car park. Street parking is definitely the option.
Home Fans
Some were rude and some were friendly and welcoming. Whilst walking into the ground some younger supporters hurled obscene comments at me and my female companion. A few were sympathtic after the final whistle though.
Ref Watch
Trevor Parkes - Another joke, between the officials on the day, I think they probably got a handful of decisions right. Terrible!
Pubs
I stayed over night in Stoke so only visited pubs in the city centre (called Hanley). Yates provided good food and had Sky Sports showing Manchester United's demolition of Newcastle United to get us in the mood. Shame we're not as good as Manu!