Ten Years Ago today

[ArtyTheValiant]

The only time I have felt we achieved something - never seen a promotion.

 

Great day despite the monsoon conditions :D

 

When you get 6,500 Vale fans arriving at a ground 250 miles away from Vale Park (which really shows the potential fan base) and then winning to go up automatically is way better than winning any cup. Winning through the playoffs is a complete nightmare though. Didn't sleep a wink for nearly 2 nights before Robbie Earle scored against Brizzle Rovers :D===

[Shropshire_Valiant]

Great day, 10 years ago! ****** hell!

 

Here's the road to Cardiff

[PortVale89]

How many fans did we take?

[NellyTheValiant]

When you get 6,500 Vale fans arriving at a ground 250 miles away from Vale Park (which really shows the potential fan base) and then winning to go up automatically is way better than winning any cup. Winning through the playoffs is a complete nightmare though. Didn't sleep a wink for nearly 2 nights before Robbie Earle scored against Brizzle Rovers :D===

 

Watched that game again on video not so long ago and compared with how football is played today it was like watching paint dry. We were so much better than them but the game was so tight it was untrue and you are right the nerves were jangling for days before.

[Mark W]

They were great days and we seemed to have a great team year after year. I took it for granted back then.

 

Not wanting to put a downer on a truly great memory, but that is looking at the past through rose-tinted specs just a wee bit.

 

We been relegated the previous season with barely a whimper and were utter pants in the first half of the following season (Canvey Island anyone?) before Horton signed Brooker and dropped Widdrington in favour of Brisco. Brammer hit inspired form, the team picked itself and stayed injury-free, we went on a fantastic run culminating in that amazing day in Cardiff, one of the very few times I've watched the Vale totally convinced there was no way we could lose.

 

Just wish that team had been kept together for a promotion push the following season. But Brammer was sold and Tanks and Naylor were allowed to leave. Imagine that side with McPhee coming in as well?

[Werrington]

We;ve won it 2 times ...we;ve won it 2 tiiiiimmes....the Autoglass trophy...we;ve won it 2 times:D....BOTH CLUBS:D

[the old bycars tea bar]

don't know if i'm happy remembering those days or sad thinking how far we have fallen

[vale in the blood]

I was drenched! Took my stoke fan dad,as well. He admitted it was a grt day! How depressung that not long after that game,the demise started.

[Bails]

Not wanting to put a downer on a truly great memory, but that is looking at the past through rose-tinted specs just a wee bit.

 

We been relegated the previous season with barely a whimper and were utter pants in the first half of the following season (Canvey Island anyone?) before Horton signed Brooker and dropped Widdrington in favour of Brisco. Brammer hit inspired form, the team picked itself and stayed injury-free, we went on a fantastic run culminating in that amazing day in Cardiff, one of the very few times I've watched the Vale totally convinced there was no way we could lose.

 

Aaaaah I remember when Brisco replaced him and scored that worldie against Bournemouth, into injury time for a 2-1 win! :D

[Andy06]

remember it like it was yesterday just cant believe its been 10years :O how the time has passed..

[Chopper Harris]

Not wanting to put a downer on a truly great memory, but that is looking at the past through rose-tinted specs just a wee bit.

 

We been relegated the previous season with barely a whimper and were utter pants in the first half of the following season (Canvey Island anyone?) before Horton signed Brooker and dropped Widdrington in favour of Brisco. Brammer hit inspired form, the team picked itself and stayed injury-free, we went on a fantastic run culminating in that amazing day in Cardiff, one of the very few times I've watched the Vale totally convinced there was no way we could lose.

 

Just wish that team had been kept together for a promotion push the following season. But Brammer was sold and Tanks and Naylor were allowed to leave. Imagine that side with McPhee coming in as well?

 

Sorry Mark i wasnt being clear. I was referring to when we won the Autoglass and the playoffs in the early 90s when we used to have a great team year in year out.

 

Although the LDV winning team wasnt bad. Stevie Brooker was an inspired signing, i just wish we would have been able to keep hold of him.

[BigG1968]

What were you on? I was on HMS Southamtpon down there the year before :cool:

 

R.F.A. Diligence

[Mark W]

Sorry Mark i wasnt being clear. I was referring to when we won the Autoglass and the playoffs in the early 90s when we used to have a great team year in year out.

 

Although the LDV winning team wasnt bad. Stevie Brooker was an inspired signing, i just wish we would have been able to keep hold of him.

 

Point taken, Chopper, and you're not wrong about the LDV team. Such a missed opportunity not keeping it team together. Chalk another one up to the foresight of Bill Bell.

 

Someone else mentioned Brisco's last-minute winner against Bournemouth. That must be one of my all-time favourite Vale moments - it turned the whole season around.

[valiant]

It was April 24th 2001 when we won the LDV.

 

Here's a video with Brian Horton and the players recalling that great day...

 

[Fegg Hayes Fozzie 1968]

Sorry Valiant, it was the 22nd April 2001 as it is also my fairer half's birthday. She also went the game at Cardiff even though she is a Stokie, what a way to spend your birthday. I remember being in a pub near Cardiff Castle when John Rudge appeared on the big screen as part of Sky's studio team and someone chucked either a pie or pint at the screen, sorry time has faded the memory here. Happy days!