What makes a Vale fan

[PVFC764]

My family support sjoke and I prefer Port Vale and have for the past 39 years. Seen the good and the bad side of Vale - so will definitely not be called a fair weather fan - like some of the new sjoke fans are because they are in the prem.

 

I am proud to be called a Vale fan and put up with the banter from other lads for being a Vale fan. It is always good humour.

 

Where ever I go around the world on dets, I always take my Vale Flag and put it up in my room. Wear Vale tops and t-shirts on holiday and down time to wind up the other football fans.

 

I will wake up in the early morning to listen to Vale on Valiant Player, when out of the country.

 

This is what I think being a Vale fan is. Vale gets into your blood and means everything to you.

 

People say you have to attend every game, some of us live away and can't get there due to work and home commitments - so you can't be a true Vale fan. Rubbish.

[Brown Edge Normski]

My late father took me Sjoke in 1965 but I didn't feel they were my club. The following season a neighbour took me to watch Vale in their first match back in the old 4th Division after relegation. That was it. I have supported them on a regular basis ever since. I have not always had a season ticket as other things crop up in life but they have always had a place in my heart. They were my first love.

 

So what makes a Vale fan?

 

Passion in my opinion. Realistically we are never going to be a top club but we can dream.

[mr burslem]

The minimum for me is that when you look at the scores. Vale is the first score to look at.

People who don't go to games can still be fans.

I'm with you there.

I'd say there are around 150 absolute, every-game-home-and-away diehards. I know one!

Then there are the 3,000 who're going to get a season ticket whatever happens. (I'm in that category.)

Then there are around 2,000 (I'd say) who are a little less obsessed, or who can't afford such a layout these days, and are often walk-ups, choosing their games.

Then there are those who rarely go, but (as you say) look first for Port Vale's result; they're often relatives of the first three categories, and were prevalent at the Autoglass Final against Stockport. I'd put their number at 20,000.

incidentally, if you're old enough to remember coming out of dodgy away grounds and hearing your comrades' cries of 'Stick together, for ***** sake!' you'll know why I won't criticise any of them......

[nightmare in a damaged bra]

Personally.Vale is a day out and Christ I've had hundreds and hundreds....some good and lot's bad.But with the the company and including the journey to away games and the craic.It's what football is all about

[Silfver]

Port Vale 0-0 Barnet when Stenio was physio I remember it well! ;)

 

Robbie Earle's Perm..:

 

Didn't you have a friend in Södertälje, Sweden and you sometimes go and watch Södertälje SK play icehockey.

 

Södertälje SK has been playing icehockey at Axa Center since 1970. Södertälje SK played their 999th match at Axa Center last Friday.

 

I have a friend who has watch 996 out of 999 matches. He has missed only 3 matches in 44 years. That what I call a supporter !

[Trentham Lakes Valiant]

I was born in Brownhills Road and you can see the floodlights from the room I was born in. I didn't choose Vale. Vale chose me

[JOHNNYAITCH]

I think it's dead simple..a fan is some who cares about the results and the club...they mean something, it's not just something you're interested in

 

How that caring manifests itself will vary from fan to fan and over time, but you still care..it matters, really matters

[JOHNNYAITCH]

Some are having difficulty in distinguishing the difference Between a Vale FAN and a Vale Supporter.

 

I don't think there is any difference..people support the club in whatever way they wish..might "only" be by buying some merchandise at Xmas but they are still a supporter and indeed a fan..fanaticism is more in the head than in what you do

[JOHNNYAITCH]

And to answer the specific question about "What makes a Vale fan?" the answer is clearly an aversion to soap............ :D

 

There must be a lot of vale fans in Birmingham

[steauavaliant]

Draught Bass?

[onestepatatime]

Draught Bass?

 

In a straight glass?

[Heatwave]

Mummy and daddy Vale fan.

 

If you want further details don't PM me.

[geosname]

I was born before Vale played in burslem, my father was an avid supporter and the first and only match he took me to was mid/late fifties, I cant remember who we played but we won 7-? and I think a guy named Jackson scored. Its the only thing I could ever thank my old man for.

I have no interest in football, I dont watch it on the telly, listen to it on the radio or read about it unless its vale or vale related... the exception to that was the world cups in the 60s/70s/80s. In the early 70s I went home and away with a mate, from the mid 70s we had season tickets. Wherever I have been I have tried to find out what the score was even though at times it was difficult. Ive seen some bad times and some bladdy terrible times but still I couldnt just lose interest. I cant explain it or rationalise it.

[steauavaliant]

In a straight glass?

 

Is there another sort?

[Lornelounger]

Went to my first game when I was 8 and was hooked. All my mates at school were lardies, and the seventies weren't an easy decade for the Vale, especially towards the end, but it became a badge of honour to follow them through thick and thin. They still have the ability to ruin my Saturday evening and Sunday when they concede a late winner through a set piece, or just play crap when I had high hopes. But there just couldn't be any other team that gives me the tingle I get from walking up to Vale Park anticipating a game. And there have been some absolutely great games down the years, especially under Rudge. I think Vale fans appreciate the good times better than most because of the agony that we have had to put up with at times, and it means we can keep some perspective on the way the game has been distorted by the Premier League.