Hear from Alicia Watson, a chef who lives and works in the Dordogne region of France:
As a lifelong Port Vale fan, my connection to the club goes way back to the glory years of the late 80s, when Sir John Rudge was in charge. Back then my heroes were the likes of Robbie Earle, Darren Beckford and Neil Aspin. Childhood memories of Vale Park with my dad, stepdad, (my mum on occasions), their friends and my sisters, the club has always been more than just football – it’s been about family, the community, and a proper atmosphere! I still remember my first away trip to Newcastle in the early 90s, walking in just as the crowd was roaring after we'd missed the first few goals (classic). Or the time I broke my foot celebrating a win against Derby County in the FA Cup when I was 13, which led to a 6-0 defeat in the next round against Aston Villa in the torrential rain at Villa Park – I spent most of the second half having my plaster cast repaired in the first aid room due to rain damage - Our dad wanting to leave early and us refusing to go, we were pretty hard core fans by then! The club, the fans, the pubs in Burslem – it was like a big, raucous family, and that’s something that stuck with me. Our fathers (Andrew Watson and Michael Ormerod) have since passed but we always feel close to them when we are at Vale Park.
Fast forward a few decades, and despite living in France for the last ten years, my passion for Port Vale is still as strong as ever. Today, I’m still just as hooked. Thanks to PVTV and my full subscription ( £150, including a £10 donation to the Port Vale Foundation), I watch every match from my living room in the south west of France. Super Vale Abroad (shout out to Patrick Scragg who runs the group) connects me with a worldwide family of Vale fans – over 150 expat members spread across 30 countries. It’s heartwarming to know we’re all watching together, even if it means some of us are watching at 3 a.m. So far we’ve raised around £6000 to fund Valiant packs and first match experiences for local kids, helping grow the next generation of Vale fans. In return for our full PVTV subscription , the club’s been kind enough to give us benefits similar to those of season ticket holders, giving us perks and 2 tickets to home games when we’re back in the UK. And speaking of that, I try to plan my trips around Port Vale fixtures – in fact, I made a special trip back for the 2022 playoff final at Wembley, that was up there with my best ever matchday memories.
So, when I was invited to represent Super Vale Abroad at Vale Park for International Fans Day on January 18th, I knew it was going to be something special. I booked my flights, trains, hotel and dog sitter immediately! To be treated to a boardroom matchday experience with my family was a huge honour. First off, I was whisked away for an interview to chat about my connection to Vale and what it’s like supporting from overseas. And they weren’t just going through the motions – I was genuinely made to feel like my story mattered. They even presented me with a signed matchday shirt, which I’ll be framing as a keepsake of an unforgettable day.
Next, we were shown to the boardroom where light refreshments were offered, and then it was time for a tour of the stadium where we met Carol Shanahan- a true gem. I’d heard so much about her, but nothing prepared me for how warm, genuine, and down-to-earth she really is. Her love for the club and her work in the local community shine through, and she’s exactly the sort of person you want at the helm.
What really stood out, though, was the way every single person at the club seemed valued and appreciated. From the marketing team who were hosting us to the waitstaff and security, everyone had a smile on their face, and you could tell they genuinely enjoyed being part of the Vale family. It’s that kind of atmosphere that’s made the club such a special place, everyone’s valued, and that’s something you don’t always get at bigger clubs where it’s all about the corporate spin - and it’s all down to the positive changes Carol has introduced.
Now, onto the funny bit. We were supposed to meet the players along with the team mascots, but our chat with Carol overran, so we ended up walking into the changing room just as the mascots were leaving. Cue a very awkward (but hilarious) moment where we shuffled in and found the players all lined up waiting for us. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but we definitely weren’t expecting a row of lads just chilling in their kits. It was a bit of a “well, this is unexpected” moment, but after a few laughs, I broke the ice, introduced us all, and we had a team photo. I even threw in a mention to Laurent Tolaj, who’s sponsored by Super Vale Abroad – the lads found it hilarious when I spoke to him in French, I think he might have blushed!
The day carried on at full speed from there – I gave a little speech in front of around 300 people at the Valiant Suite before joining up with Sophie from ‘Her Game Too’, an initiative that encourages more women to get involved in football. As 3 sisters and all Vale fans we are totally behind the great work they are doing to help eradicate sexism at football matches. After that, we presented a cheque pitch side for £1000 to the club, raised by Super Vale Abroad members. It’s fantastic to see the club so engaged with its international fans, and it was a real pleasure to see the impact of our fundraising efforts.
Then it was back to the boardroom for a delicious lunch, and I found myself sat on a table next to none other than Sir John Rudge himself and his lovely wife . I’ll admit, I was a bit starstruck, but he’s just as lovely as you’d expect. On our table was Patrick Shanahan who was just as down to earth as Carol.
When it came time to watch the game, we had the best seats in the house – right next to Carol and Matt Hancock. After a thrilling 3-2 victory, we were treated to an exclusive post-match experience. We walked down the tunnel to watch the interviews with Darren Moore and Jayden Stockley. Off-camera, we even had a bit of a chat with Darren – he was incredibly accommodating and up for a bit of banter, which is always nice to see. We had a laugh, and it was so refreshing to see that side of him. It’s not often you get that kind of personal interaction with the gaffer!
After all that excitement, we wrapped up the day with a quick nod to the Sir John Rudge statue and a post-match pint in Burslem. Honestly, it was the perfect end to a perfect day.
A huge thank you to everyone at Port Vale FC who made it such a special experience, with a special shoutout to Ryan Grant for being an outstanding host. It’s days like these that remind me why I’m so proud to support this club – it’s more than just football; it’s a community, a family, and a place where you’re always made to feel at home.
Up the Vale!
Alicia Watson, France
