The changing faces of Vale Park

[smithie]

Browsing through the great pictures of Vale Park in its' former states, it got me thinking of the characters I came to recognise at games both home and away. Characters that sadly don't seem to attend any more, or have just grown out of their old ways!

 

I know this is tricky as obviously I can only give pen-pictures, but does anyone remember...

 

- a short bearded guy who used to sell the Lottery Tickets on the Bycars in the 70's - always wore a scarf, whether it was August or January!

 

"Jack" on the Lorne Street who used to come out with some crackers

 

"Normal" - 70's/80's-era, glasses, greasy hair, possibly not the full ticket!

 

"Tosh" - a skinhead who used to wear full regalia of Dr Martens boots etc.

 

- the two lads who used to turn up on motorbikes at away games in the 70's & 80's, usually inebriated.

 

- the two lads (one gangly, one with glasses) who I used to see at every single game home and away. I seem to remember one told me he worked in a Post Office, which gave him every weekend off. They were also usually under the influence!

 

Somewhere along the way our "home and away" crowd has dwindled, and dare I say it the camaraderie that used to come with it.

 

You also come to realise we had some real headcases following us years ago. I can recall countless instances of Vale "boys" entering home ends at away grounds and kicking off - then being escorted round the pitch into the Vale end like returning war heroes!

 

Different days indeed.

[grebovale]

The 2 bikers might have been me and Stut,the gangle guy might have been Yan (think that's how it's spelt),the other guy was his brother

[Tone]

You have to mention the late Ian White and his famous Vauxhall Cavalier.

[grebovale]

Who was that guy who used to go away games in a Bond Bug

[Conrad]

The two on the motorbike a 550 Suzuki one was named Grebo, real name Paul Johnson the other, a blonde haired lad I think was named Steve.

Remember the lad in the bond bug.

[Conrad]

The 2 bikers might have been me and Stut,the gangle guy might have been Yan (think that's how it's spelt),the other guy was his brother

 

Could the gangly guy be Flopper, he used to go in the bycars with his brother.

[Yukon]

"Normal" came on our bus to Huddersfield the day we sent City and the **** down. He came out with some diamond stuff that day, absolutely hilarious- nice bloke though.

He got the round in when we got to Huddersfield and came out of the pub moaning his bag off that it had cost £18. He didn't stop even after one of the boys pointed out it had cost £3 more in Burslem! In the end we all gave him some change to shut him up!! I wonder what ever happen to him.

 

It always freaks me out when I see people with their kids, who they've taken with them since they were very small and are now adults themselves.

 

In respect of the ground, my favourite thing at Vale Park, by a country mile is the hand painted words "Robbie Earle" on the Paddock turnstiles! I think it's been there as long as I've been going and I seriously hope no one ever sees fit to remove it

[Ben]

The late Bill Goodwin on the Lorne St players and refs he didnt like were all loudly labeled as varmants.

[Lotus Vale]

Normal is/was one of the stewards as far as i know, used to live in Chell.

 

Don't forget Cool Cat too.

 

"Cool Cat, Cool Cat he's our man,

if he can't do it, nobody can!"

 

"Normal" came on our bus to Huddersfield the day we sent City and the **** down. He came out with some diamond stuff that day, absolutely hilarious- nice bloke though.

He got the round in when we got to Huddersfield and came out of the pub moaning his bag off that it had cost £18. He didn't stop even after one of the boys pointed out it had cost £3 more in Burslem! In the end we all gave him some change to shut him up!! I wonder what ever happen to him.

 

It always freaks me out when I see people with their kids, who they've taken with them since they were very small and are now adults themselves.

 

In respect of the ground, my favourite thing at Vale Park, by a country mile is the hand painted words "Robbie Earle" on the Paddock turnstiles! I think it's been there as long as I've been going and I seriously hope no one ever sees fit to remove it

[Davebrad]

the guy selling lottery tickets I think was named Mick, and Normal if he was a steward was Norman, he was "retired" for alledgedly touching a womans **** at a away game at cwho...

[ELDERBEZZA]

Was it old bloke Bill that used to slowly climb up on to the gantry, situated on the Hamil/Lorne St corner ,with the half time scores?

[smithie]

Not forgetting Dave Dutton of course!

[rayzer]

the guy selling lottery tickets I think was named Mick, and Normal if he was a steward was Norman, he was "retired" for alledgedly touching a womans **** at a away game at cwho...

 

Mick is my brother and he still sits in the Bycars at home games.

[Ben]

Was it old bloke Bill that used to slowly climb up on to the gantry, situated on the Hamil/Lorne St corner ,with the half time scores?

 

No Bill used to work as a mechanic at Johnny Alcocks garage in Biddulph for many years.

[DenisW]

Not forgetting Dave Dutton of course!

 

and his wife Cath, used to feed about 10 of us with chocolate bars and coffee out of a never ending flask