Port Vale and the Community

Last Sunday I was asked to open the Port Vale Spring Fare at Vale Park. Once again volunteers showed what a huge difference their efforts can make. Organising a farmers' market, craft fare or community group meeting is no mean feat.  It is a credit to the directors that once again the Vale has shown itself to be at the heart of the local community, reaching out to all number of people through football. It may be the natural migration out of Burslem, but there has always been a bedrock of support from families and businesses in Endon and Stanley. So the support from local people was very much appreciated.

Interestingly, when Parliament returns after the Easter recess one of the early debates will be on ticket touting. MPs will be discussing the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on whether further regulation of ticket sales - including on the internet- is needed to prevent profits going to those other than the organisers of prestigious events.  Naturally the Football Association has had a lot to say on that.

Happily not being able to buy tickets is not the biggest problem facing Port Vale. Which brings me to the widely welcomed initiative launched by the club this week. Local Endon commercial manager Mike Aldridge is doing a sterling job marketing the sale of 5000 tickets at unbeatable and affordable prices. Moreover in time the scheme could become part of a loyalty bonus scheme which could help local traders and be good for the local economy too. 

The spiralling costs of ticket prices has been of great concern to many people and has had a discernible impact upon people going to watch games live.  This is particularly true in the Premiership where ticket prices have increased by roughly 600% since its inception.  The result of this is that many young people, who used to make up the bulk of matchday crowds, can now no longer afford to go.  Indeed the average age of a fan 20 years ago was 17-18 where as now it is 42.  This has real dangers for the future as a generation of potential fans will be lost to the game and matchday atmospheres will inevitable suffer.  This is why a scheme such as the Vale’s is so welcome.  If successful, people will be able to afford the ticket, attendances will increase and the atmosphere will improve all of which will hopefully lead to an improvement on the pitch

Not every constituency boasts a league football club, especially one with a heart as big as Port Vale's. I urge all mums and dads, grandmas and granddads and youngsters alike who already support the Vale to sign up for their ticket and carry on the tradition of keeping Port Vale a real family club.

If you are interested you can call the club on 01782 655800 or log onto their website at www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk