A moment when football can be the greater game…
OVF editor Rob Fielding was privileged to see a play called the Greater Game about the Footballers Regiment and the sacrifice undertaken by Leyton Orient players.
Features
Football League statement shows the hypocrisy of the Checkatrade Trophy rules
Rob Fielding says a statement about youth development from the Football League is hypocritical…
Great that Smith’s signed-up, now how about Streete and co?
OVF editor Rob Fielding wonders if Vale should now try and tie Nathan Smith’s defensive partner Remie Streete to a new deal?
Football League rule out B teams and the Old Firm
The Football League have announced that any possible reform of the English structure will not involve the introduction of Premier League B teams or the Old Firm clubs into the pyramid.
There’s a minority of idiots who tarnish Vale’s name with idiotic actions
OVF editor Rob Fielding was disturbed to read reports of highly offensive behaviour by a group of Port Vale “fans” – here’s his response.
You were an absolute disgrace…
Barry Edge’s latest poem addresses the sad issue of awful behaviour by a minority of Port Vale fans.
Norman Smurthwaite got it right, now it’s time for fans to turn up in numbers…
OVF editor says that despite many doubters, including himself, Norman Smurthwaite increasingly looks to have got the key decisions right in recent months.
Reaction to the controversial Football League Trophy games – in tweets
It’s fair to say that the revamped Football League Trophy has been very controversial. Here’s how Twitter reacted…
Transfer window business will give an indication of Vale’s promotion potential
There’s only a matter of days left for the August transfer window yet Rob Fielding predicts it could be a busy period for the Valiants.
If Vale are to make a profit on young players then the good ones need to be under contract…
Rob Fielding expands on his article from earlier this week to argue that putting star youngsters on contracts fits with the current club approach of developing and selling on emerging talent.
The football world may not know it yet – but Vale are building a footballing philosophy
OVF editor Rob Fielding says – whisper it quietly – but Vale have a method to the footballing side and it’s one that could be a successful one.
Use Salerio’s wages for a new striker? I’d use it to offer this quartet extended deals instead…
OVF editor Rob Fielding thinks the club should look at securing the long-term futures of four key players now and not wait till the summer.
Summer diary: Nine out, fourteen in and a phone call from Jose…
Here are all (OK most of) the key events from the summer in one single (and rather long) diary entry…
85% of Port Vale fans won’t attend Trophy game against Derby County B side
A poll on the OVF website has revealed that 85% of fans who voted will not attend Port Vale’s Football League Trophy game against a Derby County B side.
Why I think adding a Tyson (or even a Pope) may be a wise move
OVF editor Rob Fielding think an experienced spine to the Vale team may help the newcomers during a long League One season.
We’d walk to see our Heroes
Barry Edge’s latest poem looks back on the days of journeying to Vale Park to see his heroes play…
Port Vale’s forward options looking strong
OVF editor Rob Fielding hails the Anton Forrester signing and looks forward to a potentially prolific partnership with JJ Hooper.
Re-vamped Football League Trophy plans slammed by fans groups
Details of the schedule for this season’s re-vamped Football League Trophy have been published and greeted with a chorus of disapproval from fans’ groups.
Why Port Vale’s continental gamble could be a masterstroke
Guest columnist Martyn Cooke thinks that the club’s continental gamble “could be a potential masterstroke – or a disaster.”
Vale soap opera continues as press banned from “press conference”
It seems that only in the world of Port Vale can the press be banned from a press conference and Rob Fielding strongly disagrees with the decision…
Make no mistake – this is a huge summer gamble by Vale
It’s been a dramatic and controversial summer and it seems there is more to come… Rob Fielding offers his opinion on Vale’s off-season business.
B sides: Seven reasons why the Football League got it wrong
Rob Fielding opposes the recent decision to allow Premier League Academy sides (aka B sides) into the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy.
Premier League pay £1m to allow B teams into JPT
Premier League money may have ruined the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy competition and caused serious concerns about the future competitiveness of the Football League.
Another day, another bookies favourite for the job…
Rob Fielding argues that in the case of the next Vale manager, the bookies odds mean very little.
Time to move on from unhelpful remarks?
Rob Fielding finds some refreshing honesty in Norman Smurthwaite’s comments but wonders if the Chairman should now act to prevent more unhelpful remarks.
How does Roy manage his striking options?
A rare day without a Vale news story gives us a chance to look ahead to Euro 2016 and examine Roy Hodgson’s striking options.