Port Vale fans asked to support Refugees Welcome campaign
All supporters of Port Vale FC are asked to support the “Refugees Welcome” initiative at the club’s next home game, against Wigan Athletic.
Fans group the North London Valiants are co-ordinating Port Vale’s campaign and they ask that supporters show their support. Vale fans can make their own banner of support or download a Refugees Welcome PDF and print out as many as possible to give to their friends and family. You are asked to share your photos on social media (#refugeeswelcome #portvale #pvfc)
Supporters and supporter groups from the 92 Football League clubs aim to show their solidarity with the refugees seeking better lives for themselves and their families…
The Port Vale initiative is part of wider action by the @RefugeesEFL group so that football fans of all clubs, small and large across the country can show their visual support to those fleeing civil war and conflicts, especially in Syria.
This year, thousands of refugees have made the life-threatening journey across the Mediterranean to try and reach Europe’s borders. Thousands have died. The majority are fleeing war, persecution, torture and poverty in the hope of a humane life.
Earlier this month photos were shared from Germany of football fans holding up “Refugees Welcome” banners during their games. On the 12th September, after the international break, supporters and supporter groups from the 92 Football League clubs aim to show their solidarity with the refugees seeking better lives for themselves and their families.
The OVF website backs the campaign and we will be showing our support on the day.
About Port Vale’s Refugees Welcome initiative
We conducted a Q&A on Refugees Welcome with North London Valiants’ Steve Burdekin
Is anything specifically planned?
Due to the urgency and informal nature of this campaign there has been little time to organise a great deal at club or national level other than to show your clubs support for the #refugeeswelcome campaign. There is no set time, duration or location for the banners and posters to be aired but to be visual and prominent. You can take photos in the ground, by the main entrance, with players or even at home with your Vale shirt on – all of will be a positive contribution.
Why is this important?
I know this may be a contentious issue for a few but this is a humanitarian crisis not seen in Europe on this scale in 70 years.
I wanted to do something positive and pro-active to show that the Vale community are compassionately supporting the refugees in their hour of need…
As a Vale fan and a dad of two young children, I wanted to do something positive and pro-active to show that the Vale community are compassionately supporting the refugees in their hour of need. Football is the world’s number one sport and the common link between all nations and nationalities which gives people immense hope.
The support that clubs have shown across Europe, especially in Germany is inspiring and shows the wider football community in a positive light. I know that Port Vale fans are equally as appalled at the horrendous scenes across Europe and in those countries suffering in various conflicts.
This country has historically been compassionate to refugees from all parts of the world from the civil war in Spain, WW2, Vietnam and those fleeing Uganda in the early 1970’s. The Port Vale family has always been supportive of charitable campaigns and has always offered their warm support.
This fantastic initiative is co-ordinated by @RefugeesEFL (https://www.facebook.com/events/490047397839775/491990457645469/) so that football fans of all clubs, small and large accross the country can show their visual support to those fleeing civil war and conflicts, especially in Syria.
How can the Vale fans join in and show their support?
Any Vale fan can make their own banner of support, small or large or download a Refugees Welcome PDF so they can print out as many as possible to give to their friends and family. It would be great if they could take photos and share them on social media (#refugeeswelcome #portvale #pvfc) so the footballing community can see that Vale fans have made a passionate and positive contribution to this campaign. If you cannot make the game or are an exiled fan you can still show your support by taking a photo with yourself, friends, or family members with a poster and posting it on social media with the above hashtags.