20 Questions: Port Vale

Port Vale have only been back in League One for two seasons, but their third tier status is about to Come Undone unless a few Angels can guide them to safety

The Scarf My Father Wore

Apr 11, 2024

Thursday 11 April 2024

NEXT HOME GAME: Morecambe – Saturday 13 April, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Tuesday 16 April, 7.45pm

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Port Vale supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Rob Fielding, editor of One Vale Fan, joins us today for the latest instalment in our ‘20 Questions’ series. Will we see Rob back on The Scarf My Father Wore for our League One season preview in July? As it stands, no we won’t. However, the Valiants are only in the relegation zone on goal difference, and three of their last four games are at home, so we might yet still see ‘em next season.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Malbern Solar. My thanks to Wayne and Vicki. If you’d like to save money on your energy bills, make sure you book your FREE survey, worth £150. Full details below.

Thanks also to Casual Divide Clothing who sponsor our Port Vale content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 136.36 miles

Total steps so far: 217,174

Total raised so far: £1,666

Total completed streets so far: 271 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Port Vale currently play in League One, which is the third tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

It's tough. Like the other two divisions there now tends to be a gap between the clubs at the top (in our case the likes of Bolton, Barnsley, Portsmout and their financial muscle). In League Two I guess it's similar with the likes of Wrexham and Bradford having deep pockets.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Burslem.

Well, I'm probably not typical as I live in Somerset. I usually get to the ground early, take in the fanzone, perhaps a trip to the club shop before finding my seat in the Railway stand. Then, depending on result it's either a happy or sad long drive home.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Stoke City, although we've probably faced old rivals Walsall more frequently in recent seasons.

What’s your best memory following Vale?

There's several - most involving the great manager John Rudge. If I was to pick one, it would be the first giantkilling I saw - a 2-1 win over Terry Venables' Spurs side in 1988.

What’s your worst memory following Vale?

There have been several relegations but we've also had several administrations due to poor owners. Probably the most painful memories are when the fans have had to protest and force a change of ownership. Fortunately, we have managed to keep the club in existence and force change for the better.

If Port Vale was a TV show, which one would it be?

For many years it would be Brassic; now we're hoping it will be Shooting Stars.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

Vale Park was built in 1950 and is a classic old school ground. People may not know that it was ambitiously planned to be the "Wembley of the North" with a 70,000 capacity but to no great surprise the club ran out of money so it was never completed. However, you do get a sense of the scale of the planned build – especially as the pitch is one of the widest in the Football League.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

I hope this doesn't sound rude but I don't really have a strong opinion. What I would say as a fellow lower league fan is that with the ever-present Champions League and Premier League, it takes devotion and commitment to follow one of the smaller clubs so you and your fans have my deep respect.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

I haven't, though I do remember facing County in the Autoglass Trophy final back in 1992-93.

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Vale have had?

We're black and white, sometimes with a dash of gold as well. I personally love a 1982 kit which was a white shirt with a large black V on the front.

If Vale were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

Robbie Williams. Possibly sitting next to Phil “The Power” Taylor.

What’s the most interesting fact about Port Vale we might not know?

Plenty of people know that Port Vale has no geographical connection in its name. However, what you may not know is in the early 20th century one club chairman tried to change the name to Stoke North End. It was actually decided that the club would do so, but the Football League would not allow a name change in the middle of the season. Luckily for fans of the name Port Vale, by the time the season had ended the enthusiasm for the new name had faded so the club's name stayed the same.

Who’s your all time Vale hero?

A prolific striker called Andy Jones who was signed from non-league. A complete unknown when he signed, he scored for fun (I was there when he scored nine times in two consecutive home games) and was picked (and scored on his debut) for Wales. He had been signed for £3,000 by John Rudge and was eventually sold to then top-flight Charlton Athletic for £350,000. Not a bad profit!

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Vale’s fanbase?

It's roughly around 6-7,000. It can get quiet at times at Vale Park but when the occasional big match comes along then the atmosphere really ramps up.

What’s your manager like?

Darren Moore is a recent addition so it's difficult to offer a judgement right now.

What’s your owner like?

Our owners, Carol and Kevin Shanahan, own a business right next to the ground. They've been pretty open with fans and done a lot for the local community which has resulted in some Football League community awards. They have had some criticism for the first time following the unpopular appointment of David Flitcroft as director of football, though things have calmed down a little following Flitcroft's dismissal.

What’s it like for a night out in Stoke-on-Trent?

Living in Somerset, I'm not the best person to answer that question.

What’s the best thing about being a Vale fan?

The sense of community.

What’s the worst thing about being a Vale fan?

It's a long way from where I live.

What are your hopes for the rest of this season?

To stay up.

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Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

And so to Saturday, with a third promotion in six seasons up for grabs. One point needed…

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG) at 5.45pm, followed by True Romance (18) at 8pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints. Open till 11pm.

Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)