Thanks for everything Sir John,just the best memory's 

Could any other individual have gone over to the gambler's palace yet still have the love and respect that we have for Mr. Rudge? NO....an absolute one off and a gentleman to boot...he embodies the soul of Port Vale for so many of my generation, couldn't be prouder 👍

I still find it hard not to sing 

Johnny Rudgies Black and White army, PVFC . Even after all these years and many managers since. A well deserved statue outside the ground but a guaranteed place in all Vale fans hearts old enough to remember the glory days.

Thank you.

Can’t add much, but looking back, in the day, when I (we) used to go to every away game and be waiting for the team bus to turn up, Rudgie was always happy to stand, often in the pissing rain, and chat forever about, what was, looking back, some inane 💩, for however long it took for us to run out of generic questions, at which point he’d move on to the next group of fans.  Always with a smile… and everyone from that generation will be able to picture that smile.

Thank you John for all those years of unbelievably hard work and devoting yourself to Port Vale Football Club. 

I, like everyone else, obviously remember all the big games and amazing memories. The very best for me were the Autoglass win, the FA Cup replay win over Stoke, the Spurs win, the Everton game and Huddersfield 4 0 away on the last day of the season! 

The early years in the 80s, when you (and a small handful of others) did pretty much everything at the club, from ground maintenance to evenings scouting for players and everything in between, are the unglamorous years that laid the foundations for everything you went on to achieve and, in my opinion, what make you a genuine legend of English football.

You built one of the best footballing sides I've ever seen on a relative shoestring budget (compared to the second tier league opposition) and in my eyes you're a genius!

You're a truly humble gentleman and we're very lucky that you served us for so long with such devotion, loyalty and dignity, especially given the antics of Billy Bell for so many years. 

So thank you again, and I'm looking forward to the celebrations later today before the match, choosing one of my 1990s shirts to wear, seeing your statue, and singing your name again! 

Port Vale will always be Johnny Rudge's black and white army! 

UTV! 

John. The memories you have created for people like myself will endure for a lifetime. You built a strong foundation for what is Port Vale today. I first attended a match 35 years ago and have never looked back ( bar a small hiatus due to college/work in the early 2000s. The greatest game i can ever recall was against our old rivals in the rain when we beat them 3-1. ill take that to my grave. its no coincidence that you are so loved as no one has matched what you achieved in those years you were manager (on top of being a really nice bloke - rare these days) so thank you Sir John and heres to many more years with you watching the vale!

Rudgie, Thanks for some of the greatest memories of my life following this club. It was great to pay tribute to you today.
Just off the top of my head to actually play Everton Spurs Newcastle West Ham Arsenal both Manchester clubs is something I thought would never have thought would happen let alone see with my own eyes.
To think we were on a level footing with the Sheffield clubs WBA Wolves and Leeds and you actually gave me the belief we could actually go to these places and win speaks volumes about the teams you created yourself. If anyone deserves a statue it is you.
Thanks John.

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Thank you John. You did that remarkable thing that managers of less fashionable teams struggle so hard to do - you gave us pride, hope and optimism. Watching the various Vale teams that you built down the years was a pleasure, and I consider myself very lucky that I witnessed them play. We played some beautiful football because you insisted on it, and got the players in to do it your way. How you did it with the resources available I'll never really know, but the number of times you made me proud to be a Vale fan is beyond counting. I loved the fact that other teams didn't just respect us, but also feared us - they knew they were in for a battle against the Vale. And we did it with wingers!  What a pleasure.

I've never met you John, but it is on my bucket list to shake your hand and let you know how much you mean to us Vale fans.  I hope the Trentham celebration of your service and the statue unveiling gives you a sense of our undying gratitude. To do what you did, and remain such a gentleman throughout under fierce pressure, is a testimony to your character and work ethic. So thank you again - you transformed this club, and I'm so pleased that you are still a part of it, guiding, advising, and being an inspiration. Long may that be so. 

(And your nose isn't that big, at least from a distance!)

Bump. Any more for any more. Surely some more of you have some memories of the Rudge era to share?

Saturday 3rd June, 1989.

Promotion to the second flight after decades of waiting and doubting.

The only time I've been on the pitch as an adult, and blarting like a big babby.

Thank you, Sir John, we'll never forget.

https://youtu.be/I7G7M8kuQ1Y?feature=shared

Met the great man in summer of 1984, my first visit to Vale Park.  An American supporting Port Vale was pretty unusual at the time (probably still is), and after I bought a couple of things in the club shop, whoever was manning the place asked if I would like to say hello to the gaffer?  So I wandered into John's office and met him--he was somewhat apologetic that he hadn't been able to keep the club up the season before but said he was still finding his way around and he hoped the next season would be better!  Was quite a treat and one of my prize possessions is a Christmas card John and the team sent me a couple of years later

Hello John!

We've never met, I think I'd be too nervous anyway. My first Vale game was in 1990 vs Hull City, a 0-0 draw but I was hooked! 

The Autoglass Trophy win an absolute highlight, a fantastic day out with my Dad.

My favourite game I saw at Vale Park under your leadership was sadly in your last season. The 3-1 victory vs Sunderland - 2nd home game of the season I think. Sunderland fans were taking the Michael out of us walking up the ground, we put in their place with two wonderful Naylor goals, the 2nd the best goal to this day that I've ever seen live.

Took my boy to his first Vale game vs Wimbledon. Now he's absolutely hooked as well.

Thank you for everything John! 

From a proud Valiant in North Yorkshire.