Port Vale Secures New Investment Deal

English Football League club Port Vale have declared a new investment by Peter Miller purchasing £250,000 in club shares.

The new shares are part of the deal for new investment negotiated in the United States by Perry Deakin and Chairman Mike Lloyd. Blue Sky International have this week purchased £150K of new shares, taking the overall total by both parties to £400K.

Miller, 52, is also expected to seek election to the club’s board, subject to shareholders’ approval, following the completion of paperwork for Perry Deakin’s candidacy.

Miller is a long-established contact of Deakin, with the pair first meeting when the former worked for Aston Villa while the Vale Chief Executive was Commercial Director at Birmingham City Football Club.

Miller has a wealth of international and domestic football experience and was directly responsible for the negotiation of Liverpool Football Club’s first-ever international partnership, establishing and delivering the club’s operations in North America.

He has also held executive positions at several UK Clubs including Head of International Development at Aston Villa Football Club and Chief Executive Officer at Northampton Town, where he negotiated what remains the club’s largest ever sponsorship deal with Carlsberg Brewery.

Miller said: “Following lengthy discussions with Perry Deakin and the club’s board, I am most excited to be involved in Port Vale Football Club and look forward to offering my industry experience and network of contacts, when required, to help take the football club forward,” 

“I have been following the fortunes of Port Vale closely and significantly, most recently, in specific relation to the advancements of its management structure and overall vision to move the club forwards. I wholeheartedly believe that the club has enormous potential and look forward to doing whatever I can to assist in bringing good times back to Vale Park, which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later.”

Chief Executive Perry Deakin added, “I have known Peter since his time at Aston Villa when I myself was at Birmingham City and it was clear when Peter expressed an interest in Port Vale that he had all the necessary qualities and desire to help drive the club towards better times.”

“He was a wealth of experience in the UK and overseas and Peter’s exceptional contacts, skills and experience within the game can only help Port Vale as we aim to develop and expand our business offering.

“The Club needs people with a wider reach of contacts and experience than the local game alone, this is essential in the modern game and part of the clubs aims and objectives – Peter fits this mandate perfectly.

“We are delighted that Peter has recognised the potential of the club and opted to invest in Port Vale. Should a board position be approved, this can only be a positive step for the club.