Norman Smurthwaite
| Norman Smurthwaite | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Norman Smurthwaite August 1960 Coventry, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Port Vale F.C. Chairman |
| Term | 2013–2017 |
| Predecessor | Paul Wildes |
| Successor | Tony Fradley |
Norman Smurthwaite (born August 1960) is an English businessman who served as the chairman of Port Vale Football Club from 2013 to 2017.
He qualified as an engineer and built a successful business career and property portfolio before retiring at the age of 50. He took over as chairman of Port Vale in 2014, having been a key figure in the boardroom as the club secured promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. He resigned as chairman following relegation back to League Two in 2016–17.
Smurthwaite was raised in Radford, Coventry, and bought his own home in the area at the age of 16 after receiving compensation from an industrial accident at Dunlop in 1977. He qualified as an engineer and inherited an engineering firm in Holbrooks at the age of 21 from a friend who was a "father figure" to him. He sold the business two years later and moved to Nottingham, where he bought a chain of estate agents that he later sold on to the Halifax. He went on to invest in dozens of properties and retired at the age of 50.
Smurthwaite was part of the investment group, led by Paul Wildes, that took Port Vale out of administration in November 2012. After promotion from League Two to League One was secured, Smurthwaite said that "I've never had any hobbies to speak of, but buying Port Vale has given me a passion. The club has reinvigorated me – it has saved me really, given me a new purpose." On 18 May, Paul Wildes made a shock decision to resign as chairman and sell his 50% stake to Smurthwaite, who became the club's chairman and sole owner; Wildes stated that "From many conversations with Norman, it's clear we have conflicting ideas on how to take Vale forward". It was revealed that Smurthwaite had funded the initial takeover, and that the pair had a disagreement following defeat to Bristol Rovers in March, with Smuthwaite insisting on a more public approach to take pressure off the manager and players.
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