Ex Players

[Mr Carter]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Snubbed-old-boys-end-association-Valiants/story-19790355-detail/story.html

 

I have to say that I am very disappointed in this story.

 

I wasn't at the last meeting with Smurf but apparently he was "Dismissive" of some of the old boys,I understand the need to be progressive and not look back but our history is very important,and I sincerely hope that the decision is reconsidered.

 

If the ground was packed to the rafters every home game and tickets were at a premium then the club could have a case, however considering the number of empty seats surely it is good PR to have the ex players around.

[Caroline Oakes]

A very good friend of ours (Stoke fan) managed to get a freebie for the Wolves game! NS is aware of this. Very disappointing:(

[CAVALIER]

What is Caroline?

[Lornelounger]

That's a very existential question Cavalier. Only Caroline would really know....;)

[Jinkin John Jeffers]

I have been going to vale for 30 years now and have never heard of the ex-players association. Perhaps it would have been better calling it the ex- players free ticket association.

[Silfver]

The few times that I have had a hospitality package, I have enjoyed speaking to them. It has been nice to meet some old Vale heroes.

[Trentham Lakes Valiant]

Non story as Grebo will point out when he puts NS's side on here in his usual methodical and cogent style.

[carpetman123]

Having been to places like Bolton,united and Northampton to wave the lower league flag at corporate level old players are held in high esteem and do good things for the clubs involved

 

Don't think we should dismiss them as 'freebies'

[Caroline Oakes]

I find it disappointing that someone with absolutely no affiliation to the club whatsoever can get a complimentary, yet former players are told no.

[Guppy 4 England]

I have been going to vale for 30 years now and have never heard of the ex-players association. Perhaps it would have been better calling it the ex- players free ticket association.

 

I agree jjj. Some of our current players have played more than these "legends"

[Birches Head Fred]

I must say I agree with Mr. Carter. It seems odd that the club cannot accommodate former players somehow, as Mr. Carter suggests - it's not like the ground is selling out every week.

Wether or not a player played once or over 900 times for the club shouldn't make a difference either, they should be welcome back at the club and revered for wearing the shirt.

[Gazleese]

If ex players want to come along that bad, I'm sure they wouldn't mind stumping up £20 like the rest of us would they!

 

Well done smurf imo. Were a business, not a charity.

[valetillidye]

I wouldnt give out free tickets to anyone other than local kids

[robf]

I have been going to vale for 30 years now and have never heard of the ex-players association. Perhaps it would have been better calling it the ex- players free ticket association.

 

Gosh, you've led a sheltered life. ;)

 

I've also been going for thirty-odd years and I've heard much about their fundraising efforts for the Sproson Fund and the Disabled stand. What the Sentinel doesn't mention is that many of them also turn up for things like funerals (to represent the club). On a personal note, they came to my dad's 80th birthday as a surprise. They paid their way to get to it, stayed for several hours (they didn't have to) and it made my dad's day.

 

These are often local people who hardly earned high wages , who are still proud about their times playing for the club. In short, they are the sort of people who are excellent ambassadors for the club - who can show people what the club still means to many.

 

I think it's flippant and downright rude to call them a "free ticket association."

 

This is no "free ticket association" - if you read the article you'll see the tickets were given as part of their hospitality duties. I reckon the club handing out a seat so that people at the game can meet ex-players, some of them club legends like Ken Hancock is a very small price to pay.

[geosname]

I have been going to vale for 30 years now and have never heard of the ex-players association. Perhaps it would have been better calling it the ex- players free ticket association.

 

Only 30 years?... your a new lad then...