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At 61 I am old enough to recall many memories of the Vale since my first game circa 1976. What I will say now is that should we qualify or NOT tomorrow is that we have and ARE totally transformed today. We ALL owe the new owners an enormous debt of gratitude and I thank them both........🥰

We are 1 goal down going into a playoff semi final AT home and people have given up on the club. ! You couldn't make it up.

The majority of comments on here capture my thoughts. Mr Pope did not learn from his first one game ban for twitter comments. He continued to spout rubbish, and that led to him missing the first 6 games of season 20/21. He never recovered from that poor start and his fitness and readiness for games was seriously diminished. Two managers during that season declined to pick him very much, that tells a story. His disrespectful comments about some Manchester City players were laughable coming from a Div 2 player. His post full of fantasy about his scoring 30 or 40 goals a season if he was in the Premier League evidences that he lacks the wit to write clever humour. He has zero humility. Worse of all his continued sly digs at our management and Captain seem to me to evidence a bitter and twisted mindset from an individual who has been found out. I never warmed to him as a person, although I respected him as a player for what he did on the pitch. I believe he was a negative influence in the dressing room because although he was a major presence his standards for fitness, lifestyle, use of social media and PR did not set the right tone for young players who are easily influenced. If Mr Pope wishes to be seen in a positive light by fans in his retirement from his playing days then he needs to learn from his numerous past mistakes. At the moment he seems intent on repeating them. As a lifelong Port Vale fan and our second ever highest goalscorer he still has enormous credit in the bank, he needs to ensure that goodwill does not slip away by his peevish comments.

Just to put some clarity to the allocation of tickets prior to official release. This furore has mainly come from Tony Dyche and myself on social media. Over the past few weeks we've been speaking to folk at away games that have started to comment on the apparent lack of prominent vale fans having to queue for high demand tickets, and criticism and sarcasm aimed at said fans always having the best seats at matches, but are never seen at the front of any queues. It started as a bit of an awkward one as, the fans being mentioned are the ones that go to every match come what may. In one respect, if anyone's deserving of preference then it's hard to deny their merits. Openly and probably unfairly on here and PVO, Jacko has been called out on that. We all know there's a group that would go to Mariupol if we drew them in some cup. Now, aside from that group of folk, others have also been noticable and I had one or two other folk also questioning how these folk have managed to get high demand tickets without queueing. This led us both to do a little digging. In no time, an avalanch of information was forthcoming from people in person and by text messages and PM's online. The more we dug, the worse it got. I have also been presented screenshots of texts requesting tickets. It reached a point a few days ago where we both blew our lids, particularly over Exeter. So, laid out bare, those that have had priority reservations over season ticket holders are as follows: Players - Normal practice. Unknown quantities but was told 4 family members of 1 player were sat near someone I know at Exeter. Staff - Normal practice I assume. Unknown quantities Fans that undertake voluntary work at the club - unknown quantities but verified Box holders x 8 per box - Verified by box holders but some box holders unaware of available privilige and understandably angry VP's - 1 each presumably but cannot verify (seen texts to ticket office myself for requests for reservations) Official Travel coach users get them reserved (Not sure if all or a select few) - verified by several users of official travel Staff of Synectics / Hubb foundation - verified by someone who works for one of them but can't recall which Backdoor sales to mates of ticket office staff - this was openly happening in the food queue at Salford away We can of course argue the merit of each of those and we'd all have a differing opinion of where the line should be drawn. It is clear, however, that the volume going out and the hidden manner in which they do so leaves something of a sour taste, when tickets become high demand. Basically, hundreds of tickets were flying out of the back door before reaching sale. It is entirely wrong of the club to state that X amount of tickets have been allocated and will go on sale to ST holders as priority, when that is blatantly not the case. The fact that the club were filming the huge queues for Exeter has rightly upset a few, because the club knew full well that of the 1300 tickets allocated, the actual figure on sale is rumoured to have been no more than 4-500. Alongside that, Vale still honoured tickets that had been bought through the Exeter website debacle to fans that did not hold season tickets. We know fans that chanced their arm and they were sat there awaiting their collection in an envelope with their name on. On top of which, despite hundreds of season ticket holders being turned away after queueing for hours to purchase on the day, we know of one instance where a non-season ticket holder that was refunded for their tickets received a phonecall from the club to ask if they still wanted them?! So, that basic lack of trust in the system has led to many fans braving the night to get in line. I read a comment above saying none of those moaning about the ticketing were there last night, they are ll the die hards. My mate Tony Dyche, who has been probably the biggest voice over this, was number 4 in the queue, pitching up in his bivvi bag at 10pm to spend the night on the floor to get his and my tickets. Now, all that said, does it mean we want Carol's head on a pole? Of <ovf censored> course not!! I don't need to explain my background to many of you on here, but just because the Shanahans have done a fabulous job with our club so far, it should not mean that if and when certain things are lacking and need addressing, we are not entitled to call them out on that. They wouldn't have the club in the first place if we'd taken that approach as fans in times past. And that's all this is. The ticket office have badly let them down and has left an unfortunate sour taste on an otherwise excellent season. Given what we as a fan base have had to endure for the past 20 years, it's disappointing to hear that this behaviour is still present. We expected better. Just <ovf censored> treat us fairly. We still have shallow wounds.

McKirdy is 25. He made his league debut 6 years ago. On loan at Stevenage. Before this season he had started 36 league games and scored 10 goals in 5 years. Villa didn't want him, Crewe didn't want him, Newport didn't want him, Carlisle didn't want him and Vale didn't want him. The Swindon fans were singing, "he left cost you're <ovf censored>". The reality is we kicked him out because he was <ovf censored> and Swindon only took him because they were in such a state at the start of the season that they were signing anyone with a pulse. Perhaps someone has given him a good talking to during the close season and he has suddenly realised that he was chucking a career away. Criticising Vale for not keeping a player who was rubbish for us and didn't want to be here is daft. And why wasn't he booked for that ridiculous dive just before half time??

Fans forum!! Never read so many negative comments. Please stay at home on Thursday night. We need to get Vale Park rocking, and get behind the players not moan and groan about them, you've got all summer to do that. Two good goals from Mckirdy were the difference, overall there wasn't a great deal in it. Fans can lift this team on Thursday night, it's far from over.

I think the tweet with the sideswipe at Conlon is pretty disgusting. The same Conlon who has been scouting , the same Conlon who has come onto a few away pitches on his crutches to thank the away support. That Conlon eh Tom ? Absolutely no need for those comments, obviously i don't know Conlon from Adam but from his interviews and demeanour and the way folk speak of him is the very reason he is captain and a worthy one at that.

I think Top Pope has encouraged an erosion of the respect and affection most fans had for him. As a league 1 & 2 player he did quite well for us and it could be argued his goals kept us in the football league but where is his dignity and class post Vale? It's bizarre how many people who have been integral parts of the Port Vale machine over the years who then cut ties with the club because of who the owners or management are. It's only the fans that remain a constant, who are there through thick and thin, rain or shine. Its also strange how people purport to be Vale fans to gain favour to further their own ends. Is Mo Chaudrey a real Vale fan? Do I remember him leading the singing in the paddock? What happened to lifelong Vale fan Bill Bratt does he still come to games? I wonder what Smurthwaite did with his black and white scarf? I think even our greatest and most loyal servant, Roy Sproson stayed away from Vale for years. It's the fans that matter, the moaner who sits behind you in the paddock, that family of four in the Lorne Street. Tom Pope should consider himself lucky to have played for our club and given his own song, he has fulfilled every Vale fan's dream, What is his problem?

Really didn't enjoy the Sky coverage. So so biased towards Swindon, an ex player on the side lines alongside Taylor, the Exeter manager, who most definitely has something against us... probably not surprising after we stopped him winning a championship. Belittling of Vale's football throughout the show. Seemed to be a general theme of Vale being the rough & ugly bully boys & Swindon the Man City of League 2. That's the theme they rolled with. Even after the game in the player interviews you've got Williams saying if they can avoid the nasty challenges on Thursday they should be okay! When we got it down & played we did well. Thought couple of players had shockers, Smith was terrible & Gibbo was appalling. Hopefully they can put it right Thursday. 1 goal, still anyones game. Wasn't impressed with Swindon but they might look a different side away from home. Without McKirdy they would be nowhere. & I agree, he is a <ovf censored>, but he thrives off it. His whole game is about being on the wind up, that's what motivates him. His interview after the game... "wouldn't call Vale my ex club as I never played." There's a reason for that you <ovf censored> stirrer. Never wanted to be here in the first place. Come on Vale, they think they've got this won the way they were going on at full time & after the game. They look <ovf censored> at the back, just attack! I'd like see Harratt play a part Thursday, they like to fanny about at the back & he's very good at closing down the ball. You don't get that with a half fit Proctor unfortunately. Let's make a great atmosphere Thursday night guys, I'm more confident than I was before kick off today.

Match prediction: It will rain pre match to get everyone nice and wet. Plenty of Arguments with stewards about getting more turnstiles open. Sun will then appear. Inside the ground we will moan about the price of beer and pies, whilst the smokers argue with the stewards about smoking. Stewards then retreat. Pre match sun is blazing in our eyes, and we're all calling the away end a dump. Five mins before kick off the first chorus of super vale away. Quickly followed by a song about a sex offender on the opposite side..this song will be the most sung song of the day.. Game starts less then 5 mins in, someone will shout Come on Vale these are s##t (guaranteed) lots of Swindon pressure first half, last ditch defending from vale. Tackles flying in everywhere, cue the chant you dirty northern barstewards from the Swindon fans. 43 min Swindon take the lead through non other than Mr Mckirdy, cups his ears to the vale fans, a few vale fans run to the front to shout abuse and offer out the police. Half time it starts raining again. Beer and pies run out, lots of moaning about Benning and Smiths contribution, and Stone should have saved it. Couple of half chances from vale second half. Stone down injured whilst we have a team talk on the hour mark. The sun comes back out. Wilson subbed on 70 mins. Vale corner on 76 mins, Smith heads it home, vale end erupts, a few people fall over the hoardings in their excitement. The same fans slating Smith at half time start singing, He's one of our own, and comparing him to Maldini. Mckirdy does his hamstring in the 83rd minute much to the joy of the away end. Nervous finish to the game, 6 minutes added time, nobody can work out why. Full time 1-1 draw, everyone's celebrating in the away end. Starts raining again, so we are nice and moist for the car journey home. Praise and grumble is on in the car, Ben rings up overjoyed and positive, followed by Carl who is downbeat and negative. Great day had by all.

Having been to the game today the observations I would make are: 1. Swindon deserved the win and McKirdy’s finishing was the difference between the sides. 2. Their first goal was really poor marking but their second was a fine finish. 3. They were really rocking at the end and panicking, kicking the ball any where. 4. To have more possession than Swindon on their patch was an unexpected surprise. It was a shame however we didn’t do more with it. 5. I thought they ran out of steam halfway through the second half so bearing this in mind we must be patient on Thursday. Keep it tight and chances will come but we must deal with McKirdy better in the second leg. 6. We really missed our two most creative midfielders today - Conlon and Walker. I’m not sure we can win the playoffs without them. 7. Really disappointing that we didn’t even come close to selling out our away allocation for such a big game. 8. The fans who went were pretty quiet throughout. I know this wasn’t helped by the weather, the performance and the surroundings but still disappointing hopefully we can all make more noise on Thursday. 9. The EFL should make it a condition of membership that away fans have the same viewing conditions as home fans. The Swindon away end is a disgrace and I thought those conditions had been left behind in the 70/80’s. 10. It’s still possible to progress but we’ll need to neutralise the threat of McKirdy far more, be far better in possession and hold the ball up far more in the final third. Finally if we we fail to win the playoffs, I still think it’s been a season of progress and the club is moving in the right direction. UTV.

I've not been massively nervous in recent weeks. I'd go into my typical 'expect the worse' mode which has protected me well as a Vale fan. I've just been expecting things to go wrong to mitigate the blow when they do. It's worked a charm to this point. I've sat here at lunch and genuinely considered the impact of promotion this season, of how starved of success we've been, how close it is, of how I'm sick and tired of being rinsed for supporting Vale, and how much I really, really don't want to be in League 2 next season. Tonight's the game with the most riding on it since the Chesterfield game in which loss equalled non-league. Go through tonight and I think we can deal with Mansfield. If we go up, it transforms the club, allowing Carol to sort out the ground and invest in the burgeoning infrastructure. We could enter a proper 'new era', away from this tinpot abyss, welcoming big clubs every other week and get money flowing back into Burslem. The 1k+ Junior Valiants see success early doors, locking down their attachment to the club and dragging parents into the club shop in July. Robbie celebrates Vale promotion at his homecoming concert and Those Tricky Whites are back. Rudge gets his statue and we start to enjoy some of the days we haven't seen since his zenith. Lorne Street gets finished and we finally move on from the last edifice of the Port Vale banter years. We leapfrog Crewe, leave Walsall in the dust, and can focus on hunting down our actual rivals for the first time in a while. Don't get it done, and there's absolutely no guarantees next season. Another season of low revenues and disastrous away followings. Dog's abuse on whatsapp tonight. Walsall, Crewe, Stoke, gleeful that we've bottled it. Swindon fans holding their attendance trophy aloft. McKirdy machine-gunning the Railway as grown men sob. We start from scratch in what will probably be a more competitive league. Whilst we will be in a good position to get it done, football is too volatile and random, and there's just as much chance we fall short once more. It's much better to be in a 'positive pressure' game than the existential battles Smurthwaite seemed to enjoy, but I'm not enjoying myself at present. I'm sure when the dust settles some of us may be able to sanguinely say it's been a 'good season', but it really, really won't feel like it if Carol isn't on the Wembley pitch next Saturday. I accept that I get a bit intense with it all sometimes, and some berate me for 'wanting it now', but I've been wanting it for 20 years and I'm done with waiting. The fans who have stoically stuck by this basket-case of a club, at great expense and misery, in the darkest days deserve promotion the most. There was a small group of fans who sacrificed a great deal to rid us of previous shackles, and I keep thinking of one of them who is no longer with us, and how committed he was to bringing about the sort of success we're very close to achieving. ffs. Bricking it now. Into these.

Jake Daniels: Blackpool forward becomes UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay WWW.SKYSPORTS.COM Fair play to him, takes some bottle to come out.

It's a brave but necessary move and I applaud the lad. A lots said about vale losing fans over the years. I was one of them. As a gay man I felt uncomfortable with the abuse dished out from the terraces at players and officials and others and there was no way of calling it out without putting myself at great personal danger. I decided to stop attending VP and follow from a distance. Over the years there was improvements and with "call it out and kick it out" etc plus our new inclusive owners I decided to take a chance and return with a half season ticket at Christmas and I intend to stay. What's relevant in what I've said and also in his statement yesterday is that he said "after I told my family and they backed me, I went and scored 4 goals". When allowed to be authentic and comfortable a gay person is every bit as capable (and incapable!) As a straight person. I hope he is the first of many and also I hope that vale get an LGBT supporters group to stand alongside many others.

2-1 win after extra time. We bring Big Cov on for penalties and McKirdy tries a panneka which big Cov karate kicks away to send us to Wembley. Redemption.

Jesus there's a lot of people losing their <ovf censored> on here again. Yes, we lost 2-1, but general feeling I heard at the game was that we didn't think they were that good and, as someone has already posted, the stats were dead equal. We are well and truly still in this and I can't wait for Thursday night. These are there for the taking. UTV and KTF

Left pompey on 09:54 train...getting Stoke at 4....

Just think how sick Northampton are feeling this morning. Whatever happens tonight we have had a great season and have a sound basis for next season....

Couldn't give a flying feck about his opinion and staggered also that the Lardinel still print his thoughts . And as for attending his testimonial, do me a favour I'll donate to something worthwhile like Chris Neal .

Swindon were crying out for the final whistle today, lets not do ourselves down we were hurting them late on. Really hope the lads can draw belief on how we finished the game. We are well and truly in this tie and overdue a big home performance....lets get well and truly behind the lads in a big way on thursday...no more nervousness its now or never, we're well and truly capable of getting through

It's going to be a LOOOONG day isn't it? All this talk of the seasons been a waste, we were 5 points ahead blah blah blah means nowt. What's done is done! All I want from tonight is we give it our best shot, every man does their job and we take what bits of luck/bounce of the ball/refs decisions we get! If we do that but Swindle still win then that's the way it is. I don't want to sit and watch a re-run of Bristol, Walsall and Newport whatever happens. Swindle haven't covered themselves in glory since Sunday in my opinion and I hope we can tap into that but keep a lid on it until/if we beat them...then let them have it in spades. Fire in the belly but ice in the brains, hey!

We are just not as big a club as most would have you believe. But if it was a Saturday game I'm in no doubt we would of sold out by now Thats the club we are and nothing wrong with it. We are not the biggest, never have been and never will be. We are currently a Div 2 team with... 5000 season tickets 6000 average gate in good season 9000 max home fans for end of season big game. Thats us and thats good. If in div 2 next season then hopefully we build on the above figures but not by much i dont think. Hopefully a 1000 home fans on average gate would be max. Nothing wrong with those figures except the people who dream that we should have double. Anyone for Wembley with the 20000 others on the day. Friends of friends, family members, day out etc etc, but not regular supporters i am afraid.

Done by this thing

I'd like to see some 'supporters' let go.

How's that ! 😂😂😂

Pope is playing his own agenda at the moment. He is still pissed off about being let go and about not having a big send off. He had a few good seasons and was a good player in his day, but needs to remember that there is more to being a legend than just playing and scoring - its about how you act, support the club and how you conduct yourself too. I will always look well on him for his contribution, but he has and is still letting himself down with his comment. He needs to give his head a wobble and get over it a little imo

Regardless of the result on Thursday these players have give everything for this club this season now more than ever in my lifetime do we need to give them everything we have on Thursday. No getting on backs no creating more pressure for them just nothing but support. We can roar these boys too wembley. What an achievement it will be but weve just got to give them everything weve got. If thats not enough then so be it what will be but we go down fighting. Make the place a fortress and pack the park.

After 68 minutes you had offered me 2-1 I'd have snapped your hand off..... I just don't get where all this criticism is coming from....Yes, we weren't as good as we can be but are still in there scrapping. We actually look look quite weak technically when the ball is pinging about in midfield but they are L2 players for a reason. I just can't stand any type of sportsman who plays the game like McKirdy, any game....end of for me.

Let’s get this thread back on track and talk about Exeter City 😉 Anyway, GOOD LUCK against Swindon tomorrow. You can see how much I mean it because I put it in capitals, doesn’t get much more heartfelt than that. Hopefully see you in League 1 next season, when we can both batter Rovers 🤞

There is no simple solution this debate has raged all season. Loads and loads of factors apply to people going games both home and away. Finance, work commitments, family commitments, health, etc. I'd class myself as a good supporter, i go to maybe 10 to 15 aways a season. This season i have been to 20 aways, the reason was i was off work for 5 months due to an operation and was able to go the likes of Bristol Rovers and Carlisle night games . Normally ( because i've been the ground previously ) i wouldn't of gone to those games due to work commitments. But my 82 year old dad is a lifelong good supporter, who doesn't go anymore. I'm no better than him because i go. My lad is an avid fan, Vale can do no wrong in his eyes, he'd go and see them if they were playing on the moon. However he works 3 in 6 weekends so has missed half the games home and away despite being a season ticket holder. Breadwinner clearly works shifts based on his posts, but another passionate fan who can't go all the time. I've seen all sorts of suggestions, official coach people is one such suggestion for priority. Personally it's not my bag, can't think of anything worse. I go to games in the main 50/50 train or car. Again why does paying for an official coach make that person better than a train traveller ? Unfortunately mates rates for tickets will go on at each and every club up and down the land. Same with concerts, i can imagine a few Vale fans didn't have to circumnavigate Ticketmaster for 2 hours if they wanted a Robbie Williams ticket. I always remember in the height of Covid Alastair Campbell popped up at West Ham v Burnley behind closed doors. Not what you know it's who you know. Very naive to think this practice will ever stop whether it's Vale, Stoke, Burnley or whoever. But despite all of our protestations and posts on here we could of just strolled up at 4-00 pm yesterday afternoon and got an away ticket no problem . Whatever system we use will be flawed, but there is no doubt something needs to be looked at just to appease people and keep fans engaged which the club are very good at. I look forward to seeing everyone at Gillingham or Peterborough next season depending which division we are in 🤣 In all seriousness lots of good ideas, ultimately it's not a regular occurrence but that doesn't stop the need for Vale looking at it.

That’s not true. He’s just had a poor end to it whilst playing through injury.

Set off at 1:15pm from the top end of Hampshire. 3 and a bit hours and 177 miles later sat in the Burslem sunshine.

And people call Starmer 'Captain Hindsight'! Did one single person on here mourn McKirdy's release? I guess the same people would be complaining that we'd released Theo if if he'd come good at Bradford. We've got one of the most important games in living memory in 2 days, stop whinging about ex players.

Ted has to go in the Stand after every ticket sale and paint the appropriate seat grey by hand. Then get on the roof and take an aerial photo. He's only one guy

It’s going to be a tense evening on Thursday but the clues on winning this tie were there for us in the last half an hour today. When we put it on them a bit they didn’t look comfortable so everyone fans, players, management from the first whistle need to be getting stuck into them, make it as hostile as possible. Don’t get drawn into the McKirdy sideshow. Best way to get one over on him is to end his season on Thursday. It’s there for us to do it.

Just walked past Vale Park and Carol’s there in a crane taking the roof off the bycars, don’t know what all that’s about but she looks <ovf censored> off.

We are shut of Smurf. We have fantastic owners. We own our own stadium. We are not at the wrong end of the table fighting to stay in the football league. We are a goal down at half time from a potential trip to the new Wembley stadium. What a great season so far. That's my glass half full. I don't do half empties!

He only came here because nobody else would take him on and it was close to family for him,Askey didn't want him(thats why he was a late signing) and all that is FACT,also a massive stoke fan(thats not the problem as we have had them at the club) who openly admits he hates the Vale and as you say he DID say he would never be seen in a Vale shirt(well until nobody wanted him),when picked he couldn't be arsed so for me he could of stayed here for 3 years but he would never be a 20 goal forward for us simply because he didn't want to be. No doubting his talent,showed it at Carlise and Swindon but would NEVER do so for us,a massive knob

I get it. I’m buzzing to have managed to get tickets and wouldn’t have missed it for the world. But if it comes down to a choice of putting food in the table for your family or watching 22 blokes kick a ball around in person when you can watch it on TV on the pub it’s a no brainer as to why some folk won’t be able to go.

Bloody hell mate! Don’t know you and don’t want fall out but have some perspective. We’ve just had some big crowds at home against Bristol and Newport good crowds away at Walsall and Exeter. What world you living in? You been monitoring the cost of living recently? Understand being disappointed that we haven’t sold out but sales haven’t finished yet. If we do great. If we don’t then so bloody what. To call fans out for potentially cutting their cloth is a bit below par.

People would still cue to make sure ? None of the actual people cuing and camping are doing the moaning . I’d imagine for some it’s quite exciting ? They seem to be proud of it via social media The box situation ? Is this a fact or rumour , I guess putting thousands into the club to pay for a box comes with some benefits ? I’d imagine if they don’t buy the offered tickets they go back Into general sale ? I’m a little bit on the fence with that if I’m honest What I’m not on the fence with is when it comes to something finally positive for the club and a time to actually get excited, we have moaning. Cues to get in the ground Food Beer Tickets Fans that are in my seat Fans not seen before ‘Day trippers’ Speakers Sky tv Move of fixture Online crashed Blah blah , we are a Lower league club , with no real profit margins with a local business owner haemorrhaging Thousands of pounds a year for the love of the club. If I read this forum , which she probably does… I’d Probably pack it in at the end of the season. She won’t , because she loves the club the community it sits in The sneering ,sniping, angry negative attitude of some on here really is not in line with what the club has become this last 2-3 years.

Tom Pope trying to make it all about himself in the most important week of our season? Imagine my shock.

We lose enough football games over a season but the smugness of Swindon has amazed me. The interviews and comments from players and manager ought to be pinned on our dressing room wall as motivation. Never known such an entitled bunch. They actually think they are massive.

Tell everyone else mate, im with you on this [emoji109]

The key moments fell for them in my opinion. I think initially we started ok but Smiths mistake and the lack of tracking McKirdy gave them the impetus. 2nd half we were the better side but again their goal came at a key moment and for 10 minutes after that we were a bit shell shocked. I thought we then made changes and we again got back on top and after Wilsons goal we could have actually won it. Great header by Wilson and Proctors shot from the edge of the box would have beaten the keeper hands down if he could have kept it down. Plenty of hope for Thursday if we can get in front i think they could fold.

Benning comes in for Worrall for me. He’s earned his spot over the past few months a lot more than Worrall has.

Be positive from the off. We beat Exeter away without conceding last week. They'd lost 2 league games all season prior to that. Gibbo getting fitter...stick to the same formation last week...Edmonson along with Proctor and Wilson will occupy their defence. Garrity needs to be the legs in MF,Pett can protect the defence. Benning and Gibbo to get forward when they can,but drop back to protect the wings. All the Vale fans are behind the team. If we don't win on Sunday,there's another game to go,but without making predictions,it's an opportunity for us to show what we can do...11/23 away wins...we beat FGR,Exeter, Bristol...and Swindle away in the league so we are more than capable

We're at the start of the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation and tickets have been on sale for about 24 hours. If anything is embarrassing here, it's the chumps calling out people who haven't bought a ticket yet.

Only complaint I would have is over the synetics staff and ticket office staff being naughty and giving them their friends. People have been moaning saying there’s no loyalty scheme, now when the club gives them to people who go every away game they’re moaning again. As for boxes getting 8, they’re spending a fortune and it’s not like just one person sits in there alone.

The match is going to be live on German TV. I've just had a tweet from the commentator asking for a chat so he can get some background notes on the Vale players. Whatever happens, this game is certainly going to increase the profile of the club both home and abroad.