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37 Comments

  1. Rob Fielding
    23rd September 2020 @ 3:29 pm

    I am so proud to be a Port Vale supporter at the moment. Thank you for giving me a club to be proud of. I am sure these are very testing times at the moment but keep your heads high and remember that there are thousands of Port Vale fans behind you. We are all Port Vale!

  2. Stuart Copeland
    23rd September 2020 @ 4:13 pm

    It is unbelievable the difference in the club from 2 years ago not only in the improvement on the pitch and the professionalism of the directors management and staff but also the care and concern the owners have for the staff and supporters
    They must obviously have concerns of the financial implications regarding an extended shut down but still retain the deep rooted commitment to doing the right thing
    Hope we can weather the storm of the virus

  3. Phil Brooke
    23rd September 2020 @ 4:33 pm

    Thank you so much for making me proud to support Port Vale once again and giving hope to myself and thousands of other fans. These are such difficult times and I know we will pull through as we all stick together. Onwards and upwards now Port Vale are in capable hands.

  4. Steve Swinnerton
    23rd September 2020 @ 4:37 pm

    We all bought season tickets with the intention we could watch live football at Vale Park, the fact we cannot is not down to the club. Personally speaking as much as I miss going to watch the football I would miss my football club even more.
    Please carry on the good work. UTV.

    Best Wishes
    Man In the Pub
    (Lorne St )

  5. David Meir
    23rd September 2020 @ 4:53 pm

    I live in Canada. My first game on my own was April 1958. I have been a VP, I played B team, like many others, sold programmes, had many season tickets, shareholder and I can truthfully say that ALL of the club has brought pride back to our Football Club. Yes, led by new owners which helps the atmosphere and the culture.

    I dislike the hyperbole that North America is full of but I want to say that we have not seen a quality and professionalism demonstrated by the owners EVER. Yes, the 80’s were exceptional from the playing profile but I watch with enthusiasm, again. I watch with passion, again. I watch with expectation, again.

    You all are now on the threshold of projecting the value and name of PVFC higher than we could have expected considering the last 20 years. You have certainly restored PRIDE, PROFESSIONALISM, PURPOSE, PASSION, POSITIVITY, PROMISE… and How about PROMOTION?!

    Port Vale is a Mae is is spoken about – by the opposition – with a respect and fear. You can’t buy those things. Keep going, sowing good seeds because they will PRODUCE a great harvest.

    I will close with the increasing value of the image of the club as a Community Club. We have seen and heard a lot discussed about community. Sadly, well meaning people were never given the opportunity of making it work. What I have seen and heard and read over the worst and most disturbing period in world history is that a comparatively little enterprise -it is big with us – can rise above the circumstances and truly demonstrate care, love, compassion, dignity, integrity…

    UTV, don’t step back from this opportunity whether you wash the kits, paint the floors, sign the cheques, greet visitors or stick the ball in the back of the net, you cannot hide the pride that we feel out there.

    I am a proud Valerie.

  6. Robert Moores
    23rd September 2020 @ 4:59 pm

    All the best to everyone at the club during this difficult time. I am looking forward to watching live football at Vale Park – no idea when that will be but I will be there.
    Stay safe

  7. Nick Cardall
    23rd September 2020 @ 5:41 pm

    I think most people will be putting very similar messages…….mine is, I am just so proud of what this club has achieved since the Shanahans took over. I’ve followed the Vale since 1964 and obviously there have been ups and downs…part and parcel of being a proper football fan…..but I was losing hope under the previous “owner”. it is absolutely amazing how quickly they hve turned it round by simply treating people like people….from the players, through the employees to the the supporters. It just feels “right”. I work internationally and when I mention the Vale now people say, “They’re doing well now aren’t they?” Promotion would be brilliant, Championship, again, would be dreamland but to be honest I love the Club we have become. Thank you all involved!

  8. Gary
    23rd September 2020 @ 7:08 pm

    prouder than ever to be a vale fan, club prospering both on and off the field, nothing but positivity

  9. Mike Rennie
    23rd September 2020 @ 7:42 pm

    unbelievable change in a short time.Every Vale supporter is very proud of this wonderful club and its management,team and sponsors and we have total faith in a bright future.UTV

  10. Railway Paddock Danny
    23rd September 2020 @ 8:09 pm

    I couldn’t stress enough how happy I am with the positive changes throughout the club since Carol and Kevin took over. The club had lots of good people working there already but they now have professional and capable leadership allowing their talents to be properly applied.
    We ALL need to support Carol, Kevin, everyone employed by the club and each other in doing whatever is necessary to support the club through the current crisis and make sure we come out the other side in a viable state as a strong organisation. I’m sure Carol and Kevin will guide us through this and let us supporters know what they need from us to ensure our club’s continued existence at a time when many will struggle to survive. UTV!!

  11. Richard Davis
    23rd September 2020 @ 8:19 pm

    To all the staff on and off field. Thank you for making us so proud to be Valiants. Your conduct through the pandemic has been humbling. Our identity is clear for all to see and be part of; strong community, hard working, caring with a sense of fun thrown in.

    Thank you again, I cannot wait until we are all together and will with all my heart once again.

    Richard

  12. Guitar Ray
    23rd September 2020 @ 8:37 pm

    Such has been the massive transformation at Our club, both on and off the field, and in such a comparatively short period of time, that no words can adequately convey my feelings. So instead I’d like to say a huge thank you to Carol and Kevin for purchasing the club, and implementing their own values when relaunching what had rapidly become a sinking ship. Thanks to all their staff for all their hard work in making this vision not just a dream but reality. Thanks to JA and all his staff, for turning a squad of players who had the losing habit into a team of winners. Thanks to the players for delivering out on the pitch, for entertaining, Thanks to everyone involved at the club, for putting a smile back on my face.

  13. Mick O’Keefe
    23rd September 2020 @ 8:44 pm

    Carol and Kevin,thank you so much for making our club one that we can be so proud of again.We have seen some great and poor years in supporting the Vale,but I can’t ever recall a time when we have seen the club supporting our community in the way it has in recent times.
    Times are tough for everyone at the moment and we all need something to hang our dreams on,and the way that John,with the support of yourselves,has put together a squad of players who I believe will be ultra competitive at this level,gives us the chance to dream again.Hoping for a wonderful season and a return to Vale Park for everyone as soon as possible.Stay safe and keep up this excellent work please.

  14. Paul Crank
    23rd September 2020 @ 10:36 pm

    To all involved at my beloved Port Vale, especially the Shanahans, John and the lads. You have restored faith, belief and immense pride to all vale fans The transformation of the club on and off the pitch is beyond words. I moved away 20 yrs ago and until recent pandemic times travelled up to watch the games with my dad (season ticket holder for years and still lives in Stoke) I bought a season ticket this year for the first time since moving down south knowing that I would miss more games than I could make. I just wanted to show my support, give something back and truly be a part of our amazing football club. The new owners had a big say in my decision making. I remain hopeful that we’ll be back at Vale Park before the season is out but keep going and enjoy this amazing journey. We may not be there in person but rest assured there are thousands of us cheering and supporting you from our tv screens!! Vale and proud

  15. Ken Grocott
    24th September 2020 @ 12:09 am

    Carol and Kevin, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for stepping in and rescuing the Vale. I’ve been watching them for 50 years now, and the recent seasons of struggle were utterly grim. To look at what you have done since you took over, creating a family vibe and a club we can be proud of once more, is amazing. The ground is better, the club admin is better, the squad is better, the Lorne Street is finished – at last! – thank you for your dignity, pride and work ethic. I even like the new kit – though it took me a while. It’s nice to know the good guys can come first. All power to your collective elbows.

  16. Janet Abbotts
    24th September 2020 @ 12:26 am

    The right people are now looking after our beloved Port Vale. No longer neglected , but improved beyond recognition both on and off the field in every department. Faith and trust from our supporters is very much. in evidence A wonderful traditional Football club, respect restored. We will all pull together and a brighter future will be the reward for our owners, staff, players and supporters, united together UTV

  17. Howard Dexter
    24th September 2020 @ 2:17 am

    To everyone at PVFC. We are all behind you more than ever. Not being able to be at Vale Park is so frustrating! Keep up the good work on the pitch and also in the community. Best wishes Howard. UP THE VALE!

  18. Darren Gregory
    24th September 2020 @ 7:18 am

    2 Season ticket holders, me 53 and my son 22. We almost definitely wouldn’t have a club if it wasn’t for you guys. The whole atmosphere is so different and the club is employing proper people with a vision and a plan.
    Really great time to be a Vale fan but also a really sad time because we can’t share it together.
    I’d even started buying refreshments again since the takeover because i knew the money would go back into the club.
    Thank you for the magnificent job you are all doing and getting us light at the end of a long dark tunnel

  19. Marilyn Smith
    24th September 2020 @ 9:21 am

    Thank you . Rob . And everyone at our Brilliant beloved Port Vale club . It as Been amazing what Carol & Kevin and they Family have Done in such a Short time. Our wonderful manager Mr J Askey .. all the players. And ground staff . And Press room. I don’t know what would have become of. Football club .with out them all . Thank you . From the Bottom of my Hart . Good Luck . For the rest of the season . If I can help in any please call me .

  20. Marilyn Smith
    24th September 2020 @ 9:30 am

    So sorry HEART ..I do miss going to vale park . I am so very proud of Port vale .and To be a Supporter of our wonderful wonderful football club . COME ON THE VALE . Keep up all your your Brilliant hard work.

  21. geoff stanley
    24th September 2020 @ 10:05 am

    carol and kevin and all the team, keep up the good work we are 100pc behind you, hound the efl into more funding and keep the faith. good luck

  22. Clayts
    24th September 2020 @ 10:22 am

    Dear Carol, Kevin, JA and everyone at the Vale,

    Whilst it’s obviously a difficult time for everyone right now, the comments here, elsewhere on the forum, all over social media (and beyond) are proof that, even if we can’t show our appreciation in person, the situation at the Vale is one of the few real positives that a lot of us are taking from this year. That was certainly not the case just 18 months ago, when I don’t think I’m alone in saying that it got to the point where part of me was almost hoping for relegation and for the club to be wound up, just so that I didn’t have to worry about it any more, which is a pretty lousy thing to even be thinking after 35 years supporting the club.

    The transformation is incredible, and it all comes from the top; without professionalism, care, competence, honesty and simple common decency, there is nothing for anyone else associated with the club – players, coaches, community, supporters – to buy into or to give their all for. Well now you are providing that in spades, and much more besides. The difference can be seen on the pitch, in the stands and throughout our little corner of North Staffordshire. To instill such a sense of community in such a short space of time is a remarkable achievement. This and the way the club has conducted itself during the pandemic has made us all so proud of Port Vale FC, the Community Trust and everyone who works therein.

    Living away from Stoke and with a young family, I don’t get to watch the Vale nearly as much as I used to growing up, and in recent years I’d stopped missing it. All of a sudden I’m volunteering to scrub seats in the Bycars, buying match passes on iFollow, getting a new away shirt and champing at the bit to get back to Vale Park to cheer on this quality squad of players. As soon as it is safe and possible to do so, of course.
    I’m back. The fans are back. Our club is back.

    Thank you for everything, keep doing what you’re doing, and I’m confident we’ll come out the other side of these strange times even stronger. UTV!

  23. John Timmins
    24th September 2020 @ 10:32 am

    Thanks for all your support for the club and great community work, I’m proud by association! I’m trying to drip more money than usual in via club shop as and when finances allow.

  24. Steve D
    24th September 2020 @ 10:48 am

    I’ve been a Vale fan for as long as I can remember. My dad took me to my first match when I was 5 (Millwall at home, we won 2-1, and Robin Van Der Laan got the winner!) and 27 years later, I still try to be there when I can. In my time, I’ve seen more administrations than promotions, more relegations than promotions, and seen crook after crook take the club I love and run it into the ground.

    For the first time, I feel like we have hope. I can be proud to say that I am a Vale fan, and that it means something. Not only do we have a team that is professional on the field, and well run off it, but we have a club who, from the very top, cares about the community.

    Thank you for turning the ship around. I know that this is a difficult time, and that there will be worries, but for the first time, I feel that we have owners who want the best for the club in the short, medium and long term.

  25. Ken Longmore
    24th September 2020 @ 11:13 am

    My father first took me to the Vale when I was seven (the semi final season) and my love affair with the club started. I took my own son when he was about the same age and his love affair with the club started, we are both season ticket holders of many years standing and have seen many ups and downs and took them all in our strides. However, when the previous incumbent began his demolition of our beloved Port Vale we had reached the stage when we were sadly questioning whether to renew our tickets. Then, the miracle happened, Carol and Kevin came to our rescue and the change in everything to do with the club was phenomenal, our club was back, passion was restored, we had pride again. Financially the coming season is going to be grim, we can just hope and pray that Carol and Kevin can see it through and make sure that we supporters give them every help that we can to achieve this. Then who knows where we can go from there.

  26. Ben Chadwick
    24th September 2020 @ 12:17 pm

    *WARNING – MANY WORDS!*

    A bit of background to myself and therefore to add context to the story: although large elements of my immediate family hail from North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, I myself have always lived in Exeter, and, more recently, near to Oxford (my parents moved southwards when I was barely a year old, and I am 24 now).

    Despite this, there was only one football team I was ever going to be allowed to truly support. When at school and college, I had forays into the supportship of Exeter City, but this always felt like a dirty affair with someone I never truly even found that attractive in the first place. I am a sport fan of many guises, and it may even be that football is my second sport after a cricket/rugby union hybrid. That said, on a cool, cloudy 25th September 2004 (as good as 16 years ago to the day I write this) I entered Vale Park for the first time. A strong-on-paper Port Vale side led by club legend Martin Foyle were utterly dreadful that day and were not-so-worthy adversaries for the Blackpool side they met, who ran out 3-nil winners. It didn’t matter to me, from that day onwards The Vale had gained a new supporter.

    Initially, I didn’t want this message to be a comparison between the current club that Port Vale presents itself as and the events of the recent past. However, as I’ve typed, it’s become harder and harder not to look back to my years as a Vale fan thus far in order to provide context to the points made at this post’s climax. Indeed, barring a short spell of relative stability between the November of Sir Micky’s remarkable 2012-13 promotion and the unloved Rob Page’s top half L1 finish in 2015-16, the vast majority of my time supporting The Vale has been under clouds of uncertainty and down right soap opera-style drama which the BBC themselves would have been proud of writing.

    Starting with the originally good-intentioned V2001, the infamous 2011 EGM and Bill Bratt’s resignation enabled the previous boardroom to evolve into the disreputable MOLD leadership. Hank ‘Where’s the Beef’ Julicher’s (remember him?) bizarre debacle, Keith Ryder’s (remember him?) disappearing act, through to the happy (yet short-lived) months of Paul Wildes (remember him?), my time as Vale fan has rarely been boring.

    Incidentally, I studied at Keele University between 2014-17. Because of this, I was able to enjoy the relative success of those decent seasons from Vale Park itself, and not from the sofa with Jeff Stelling on the television. At one point, it genuinely seemed that The Vale were going places, potentially only one or two good signings away from being a strong contender for the League 1 playoffs. In the end, not to be. In fact, with all things considered, between the season of ‘The Experiment’ (credit: BBC Radio Stoke’s Phil Bowers) until the club’s rescue in May 2019, it is a minor miracle that Port Vale did not fall out of the league, and indeed out of business, altogether. Who knows, in an alternate universe perhaps a club named FC Burslem Port Vale are playing The White Swan on Sunday mornings.

    Because of this, firstly, to The Shanahan Family: thank you. As someone once said, “we cannot change the past, but we can use the past to influence the present and, therefore, change the future.” Port Vale is now a club to be proud of supporting. In the last 18 months, Port Vale has changed in ways that only drunken fairies could’ve imagined 2 years ago. Port Vale is now a benchmark for how a football club should conduct itself (insert article of 120,000+ meals being supplied to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic here).

    As Port Vale fans, we know Carol Shanahan will say that without the fans everything that has happened over the past 18 months wouldn’t have possible. In essence, this is true, but a chicken had to lay the egg first – and Kevin and Carol Shanahan (and the wider Synetics Solutions team) are, collectively, that chicken. Nothing, and by that I mean absolutely nothing, that has been achieved off or indeed on the field since May 2019 could’ve happened had Port Vale not been taken over by the current owners of our football club. So once again, thank you.

    Secondly, to John Askey. Any true Vale fan will never forget the circumstances in which you first joined the club. We know from fan groups and some previous players (hear Louis Dodds on the Ale and The Vale pod) that some of the things going on behind the scenes at Vale during that time were simply unbelievable. You were appointed Port Vale’s first team manager amidst some of the darkest days that any football club could envisage, and yet you kept Vale in the Football League against all odds.

    The 2019-20 season brought a refreshed team and playing style, which, and I truly believe this, would’ve heralded L1 football at the end of it had Covid not turned up to the party (my Northampton Town supporting housemate, who pipped Vale to 7th spot, agrees). However, keeping The Vale in L2 at that moment in time, with everything that was going on in the background, and, indeed, in the foreground, is an achievement which I see as much larger. So, to John Askey, and to the entire backroom staff at Vale Park – thank you.

    Lastly, to the first team squad, led on the field by the outstanding (in person and on the pitch) Leon Legge. For crying out loud, just keep winning!

    UTV

  27. TheHov
    24th September 2020 @ 1:05 pm

    Can’t believe how lucky we are to have owners who not only care about the club, but know what it means to the fans and the community. Thanks Carol and Kevin, and all at PVFC!

  28. Tony Good
    24th September 2020 @ 1:08 pm

    My first game was in August 1957, a 3-1 win over Swindon (Stan Steele 2, Jack Wilkinson), and I’ve been a supporter ever since, wherever in the world I’ve been at the time. Much more recently I’ve been a shareholder (money lost, of course) and a season ticket holder, even though I live in Edinburgh and can only get down to 5-6 games in a normal season. Last year, for the first time, I hesitated about renewing my season ticket under Norman. No such hesitation this year; I’ve bought a season ticket, even though I’m unlikely to be able to get to VP this season even if crowds are allowed back. Getting free iFollow access to home games is a bonus that I had not anticipated when renewing; like many others, I renewed as a gesture of solidarity and support for the club in its wonderful new form as a social institution with a community conscience – and a winning team on the pitch! I want to express my thanks to the owners, staff and players for making all these positive developments come true.

  29. Mike Thompstone
    24th September 2020 @ 2:19 pm

    I agree with all the comments on here, I would like to thank Carol and Kevin for there support and commitment to the club. Thanks also to the staff and players we have a club to be proud of.

  30. Geoff Brough
    24th September 2020 @ 2:42 pm

    Thankyou Carol,Kevin and all the management staff and all the staff at the Vale for all the wonderful work you have done since taking over.Makes me proud to be a Port Vale fan

  31. Barry
    24th September 2020 @ 2:49 pm

    I have supported the Vale for 60 years.

    During the difficult times in the ’60’s I, and others, sold lottery tickets, shovelled snow off the pitch, and collected money when we were broke.

    Since then there have been great times and great Vale teams, there have also been, more than once, times of utter despair. How the club survived is a miracle but the best miracle happened just over a year ago, actually on my birthday, what a present, when the Shanahan’s took a gamble, not just to save a football club but the onerous task of helping the local community – WHAT A JOB THEY HAVE DONE – with the full backing of management, players, and incredible Vale supporters.

    It’s amazing how many people know of the great work being done in Burslem, and I live in Scotland.
    My grandson wears his Vale shirt with pride!

    As they say’ When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ and ‘Fortune favours the brave’.

    Happy, proud, and humbled to be a Vale supporter!!!

  32. Phil Pearson
    24th September 2020 @ 3:13 pm

    72 years of age. Over 60 years a fan. The Shannahans are the BEST, but possibly the unluckiest to have taken over at this time. Hope they can keep going, but don’t expect them to be a sugar daddy (or mummy). Good luck to all at the Vale. Keep safe.

  33. Connor Hackett
    24th September 2020 @ 6:44 pm

    Thank the Lord for the Carol and Kevin, i dread to think where we would be now if you hadn’t taken over the club. Although we as fans can’t be there at the moment, we are all buzzing in the turn around on and off the pitch.
    We’ve purchased two season tickets in our household, and if we can’t attend this season, we will still be renewing for next season. That definitely wouldn’t of happened under the reign of “he who shall not be named”
    We feel so lucky to have you in charge of our football club, and you will always have our full backing. Thank you Mr and Mrs S.

  34. Neville Barry
    24th September 2020 @ 7:57 pm

    just to say thanks for all you have done not only for the club and fans ,but for all you have done to feed the needy family . even if we do not see a live game this season ,i will still buy a season ticket for 21/22 keep safe and once again thaks for you hvae done

  35. Peter Leyland
    25th September 2020 @ 11:17 am

    Keep working hard! The fans will always be here.

  36. Sunny boslem
    26th September 2020 @ 6:10 am

    Just a simple thanks from me
    Your making us proud
    Thank u

  37. Andrew Punchard
    28th September 2020 @ 8:36 pm

    Just want to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club as fans its so hard not been able to come to the ground for matches functions etc but just seeing what’s been going on during this pandemic has been amazing all the community projects have been unbelievable, to see the main stand finished finally after all this time put a smile on every fans face. Then the teams start to the season has been superb. All we can do at the moment is support from a far and help the club however we can through this. But Thank you all at Port Vale for making our club so special

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