Real fans needed, idiots need not apply
OVF editor Rob Fielding hopes that two deeply regrettable incidents do not become three and an embarrassment to the club.
Three such incidents would be a disaster. It could prompt big police bills for the rest of the season and maybe even persuade the authorities to take action…
Rob Fielding writes…
I suppose that Port Vale FC, like most football clubs is a mix of people, a reflection of society today. But it is unfortunate that a tiny, unwanted minority of that mix of personalities have been hogging the headlines recently.
Most fans would be hoping that it would be Vale’s performances on the pitch that would make the news in the early part of the season but instead we’ve had to contend with considerably less enjoyable headlines concerning racist chanting and smoke bombs.
One incident is damaging enough and two in the space of a week must be hugely disappointing for the majority of Vale fans. But with the Wolves fixture on the horizon, three such incidents would be a disaster. It could prompt big police bills for the rest of the season and maybe even persuade the authorities to take action.
The club have done all they can to try and stop the behaviour but ultimately it’s not down to Norman Smurthwaite, Micky Adams or anyone at the club – they aren’t on the terraces after all. Nope, it’s down to us, the supporters, to show that the majority of us are decent individuals and not morons.
So, it’s for that reason, that on the eve of one of the biggest games of the season, I have two messages for Vale fans.
You cannot be real supporters if you’re happy to damage the good name of Port Vale FC with such idiocy…
I hope all decent Vale fans will abhor such bad behaviour and report it. If you are reluctant to face the perpetrators at the time, report it later. But do report it.
And for those idiots involved in any such nonsense… Please get out of our club. You cannot be real supporters if you’re happy to damage the good name of Port Vale FC with such idiocy. You should all hang your heads in shame.