Williams Ready to Rock as President
Following the announcement that lifelong fan, Robbie Williams, will become the new club President, there is renewed optimism for fans of the club. The League One side are currently embroiled in a tight relegation scrap and Valiants fans will be hoping that the club can extend their stay in League One to a third successive season. The Betway app’s compatibility with iOS and Android gives those fans the opportunity to back the club and keep tabs on the other teams around them. The impetus injected by the new club President and Angels singer, Williams, will hopefully give the odds a boost as the club looks to secure its League One status. However, some Vale fans might be dreaming of bigger and better.
For the past two decades, Port Vale have been one of the many “yo-yo teams” in the lower leagues of English football. While some have dropped down the leagues, only to find their way back up again, Vale have flittered between Leagues One and Two with perfect symmetry. Between 2004-2008, Vale spent four seasons in League One, as it was rebranded that season. Following a disappointing 23rd place finish under Lee Sinnott, the club took five seasons to make their way back to League One, grabbing the last automatic spot in the 2012-13 season. Another four seasons passed before relegation bit again. And once again, Port Vale did not fancy waiting until a sixth season to bounce back up.
The Williams effect though will be looking to break that sequence and push the club into the dizzy heights of the Championship. The rumours of a takeover bid by Williams were swiftly dismissed, but investment is certainly an avenue that can help the club make the leap into the second tier. Luton Town are an example of a club that have battled their way out of League One, and the Championship to reach the holy land of the Premier League. This gives inspiration to fans of lower league clubs, showing them that they can get there with the right backing and direction, and punch higher than they are expected to.
Having a personality like Robbie Williams might bring parallels to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, but unlike the two Hollywood stars, Williams is a lifelong fan of Port Vale with a deeper connection to the club. Williams was quoted on X saying, “Let the good times roll.” Following the success Carol Shanahan has already brought to the club, fans will be hoping that the appointment of their new President will act as a springboard to even more success higher up the football ladder.