Ex-players end association after club’s silence
The Port Vale ex-players association has ended its association with the club after Port Vale FC failed to respond to requests for a meeting.
We stopped having our regular meetings at the club because we didn’t feel we were really welcome…
The 35 member ex-players association was founded by former goalkeeper John Poole and has been involved in several fund-raising initiatives for the club.
Poole told the Sentinel that the association were given twelve seats for hospitality duties but that arrangement was suspended when the club went into administration. But attempts to speak to the club about the situation have failed, Poole told the newspaper.
Poole commented: “Because of the club’s lack of correspondence we don’t know where we stand.
“It is totally frustrating. It doesn’t make sense, but we can’t wait for ever.
“We stopped having our regular meetings at the club because we didn’t feel we were really welcome.
“So, we have been meeting at the Rose and Crown in Stanley. We have decided that we will just keep together as friends, but won’t be connected with Port Vale.”
The newspaper stated that Port Vale FC were unavailable for comment.
Image: From left to right ex-players members Graham Barnett, John Poole and Ken Hancock pictured as they kindly attended a surprise birthday party for OVF founder Rob Fielding’s father Gerry Fielding last year.
Who’s who…
For those unfamiliar with Vale history, Ken Hancock is regarded as the club’s finest keeper by some fans. He made 269 appearances for Vale. Graham Barnett was a prolific scorer, hitting 37 goals in 57 games while John Poole played 33 times for the club.
