The two clubs have long league histories, Stoke City were founded in 1863 and Port Vale were probably formed in 1876. In the early 20th century, both clubs spent time out of the Football League structure: from 1907 (for Vale) and 1908 (for Stoke) until 1919 – both had resigned due to financial troubles. Stoke were founder members of the football league in 1888 and Port Vale were founder members of both the Second Division in 1892 and the Fourth Division in 1958. City have tended to be the more successful club over the years, the most valued trophy going to Stoke in 1972 in the form of the League Cup. Although Vale did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1954, Stoke bettered this with a second-place finish in 2011. Stoke have also tended to play in higher tiers of the football league throughout the clubs' history, although since 1919 the two clubs have found themselves in the same league for 22 seasons. Vale have had only five seasons playing at a higher level than City, and never in the top flight. Whilst competing in the same division, Vale have finished above Stoke on seven occasions. In every other year of the two clubs' Football League history Stoke have therefore have finished above Vale.