Supporters Club slam ‘pathetic’ club statement

In a strongly worded statement, the Port Vale Supporters club have hit out at a “pathetic statement” by the club regarding friendlies being played behind closed doors. Chairman Pete Williams added “This announcement today is a sad indictment of those currently in charge at Port Vale who frankly we wouldn’t trust to run a bath.”

The full statement reads as follows:

Port Vale Supporters’ Club has today reacted with dismay that the club’s two forthcoming pre-season friendlies are to be played behind closed doors.

The reason given by the people ‘running’ our club (we use that term loosely) is that work is required to be done and the club doesn’t have the required safety certificate.

Supporters’ Club Chairman Pete Williams said: “It is frankly unbelievable that less than two weeks before kick-off fans have to be subjected to this and that players cannot benefit from home support.

“The Supporters’ Club has more than 1,600 members with a range of skills sets who could have helped assist the club to be in a position to have the necessary work done.

“We also have thousands of pounds given by Port Vale fans sitting in a bank account for precisely this purpose. At the end of last season we were asked if we could help with drainage, fertiliser and seeds for the pitch which we sourced at cost price and promptly paid for. Why have they not come to us again to ask for help?

“Despite regular conversations with the administrators and a meeting last Friday this problem was never brought up. Instead we find out via a pathetic statement on the club’s website.

“This announcement today is a sad indictment of those currently in charge at Port Vale who frankly we wouldn’t trust to run a bath.

“We believe there needs to be a clear-out of the dead wood who allowed this situation to arise.

“We will be contacting the administrators today to offer our help to try to solve this problem.”

Mr Williams added that the Supporters’ Club would continue to liaise with the administrators over the ongoing takeover saga and update fans as often as possible.