Hi,

I've been emailing the Rudge family and in their latest reply they tell me that the great man was "overwhelmed" by the day.

I offered to send the views of the fans who attended onto them so John and his family can read them. They have replied to say they would be delighted to receive them. 

So, without further ado, would be please use this thread to pass on your thoughts, emotions, memories from the statue unveiling day (or indeed you perhaps weren't able to attend and want to just pass on some words to John and his family). Either way, please post them here and I'll get them all put into a document and emailed across to the Rudge family...

Thanks,

Rob

In the potters holiday of 1982 I went on my first holiday abroad flying from Birmingham airport. 
eight of us lads 4 vale and 4 stoke , us vale lads spotted our assistant manager  mr rudge ,he was with his good lady two little girls and if if I remember right an older lady presumably his mother or mother in law .We chatted to him and he was excited for the new season telling us we had resigned David Ridley and and signed Steve waddington plus 2 others (if my memory serves me right) .

What a decent friendly guy we all thought ,little did us vale lads know what  great memories he would give us in the future , I was at the unveiling of the statue and it was like one big happy family . The vale family 

Thanks for kicking this off @bertiepee anyone else want to contribute?

Wasn't able to go to the statue ceremony due to work commitments. 

Thank you John for giving me the greatest memories as a Vale fan whilst you were manager. 

Memories with my dad of Spurs,Everton, Liverpool, Southampton, Stoke ( very regularly) and Stockport at Wembley. 

Your dedication and driving up and down the country to find gems such as Jones and Taylor was testament to your hard work and eye for a player. 

A legend. 

JR told me off once when I was a kid and I went to a pre season open day in the 80’s.

i sneaked into his office and started writing down all the players home telephone numbers that was on Rudgies desk.

if I remember rightly they were all on his table under some Perspex sheet.

He came into his office whilst I was in and gave me a telling off 

Absolutely delighted that John and his family enjoyed their special day so much. It was wonderful to see John enjoying this splendid day.. I have met him at open days  and he always has time for everyone. John has served Port Vale so well, it was only right that Port Vale and their fabulous fans returned the compliment. We are all proud that such a great manager and a lovely man has been connected with our club for such a long time. Very telling that so many people turned up on the day, to make it special for a very special Person, a Valiant through and through Sir John! 

Jan Abbotts 

 

BIU

I was on the flat cap march from Burslem Town Hall to Vale Park all those years ago. I bought a cap for that occasion and I've only ever worn it that once, but I'll wear it again on Saturday!

I couldn't make the unveiling on Monday because I live in Edinburgh but I can't miss this opportunity to join in the tributes on Saturday.

Edited October 24, 20241 yr by prof

I believe that John is a big factor in our fanbase today 

The best weekend of my life following vale at Brighton for promotion as a 19 year old the following season after taking us Wembley twice with special memories against Stockport and the heartbreak against WBA 

Victories against stoke home and away will never be forgotten and the season in a higher league 

Fa cup special games spurs at home derby away Liverpool away Southampton home and away and prob the best vale performance ever for me Everton at home after late equaliser at Goodson brought them back vale 

There all down to u John 

Thanks 

 

Didn’t go to the unveiling but would love the opportunity to say thanks. 
 

thanks for the autoglass trophy

for Liverpool away, arsenal, Tottenham

for aspin against grimsby

for naylor against sunderland

for Mills,Bogie, Foyle against Stoke

for Taylor, Beckford, Ainsworth, Guppy, McCarthy, Walker

for that glorious evening against Everton   

thanks for making us, for a time, the highest ranking team in the area

You did this, and there are a bunch of middle aged folk like me that are forever Vale largely because of you.

So many great memories - thank you. 

Rudgie, I grew up watching your sides & little did I know at the time just how lucky I was to witness those moments. The cup runs, the promotions, the school years spent being able to be proud that I was Vale!

My Grandad took me to my first Vale game back in 1992/1993. He's 90 now & I attended the statue unveiling on his behalf. He will be there with me on Saturday to pay respect to you & all you have done for this club.

You will always be a Port Vale legend.

Rudgie gave me tickets every now and again, Wolves away he forgot to leave them, they were in his jacket pocket. Managed to find him, he apologised. Getting to the South Stand in my Vale shirt was more difficult 🙂 

Great guy and family, deserves all of this. 

Also Peter and Deidre Coates asked me if I would talk to JR about becoming Stoke manager (I know he went later in a role),

He laughed at the time and was with the Vale for more years.

Sir John Rudge 💙

Thats the post…

7 minutes ago, VTID-New said:

Sir John Rudge 💙

Thats the post…

Who has mor hair? 

who has more hair?

11 minutes ago, ginginator said:

who has more hair?

Now now 😂