Vale promotion 'win, win, win' for club's fortunes

Port Vale's promotion will lead to extra season ticket sales and more away fans visiting the ground, as well as helping businesses, the supporters club says.

Its chair, Mark Porter, described Saturday as "amazing" after Vale secured a return to League One following a one-season absence, thanks to a 2-0 win at AFC Wimbledon.

Mr Porter said Vale would have more money and local firms would benefit from advertising and sponsorship "on a bigger platform" in the higher division.

"[Vale will] sell more shirts, sell more memorabilia, sell more drinks. It's win, win, win."

Speaking about the number of away fans at Vale Park, he said: "Huddersfield Town will bring more than Bromley.

"I don't mean that disrespectfully. Away support gets bigger."

From the perspective of Vale's travelling support, Mr Porter pointed out there would be "some good away days", such as the game at Exeter City.

He highlighted two milestones - the statue of John Rudge unveiled this season to mark the former Vale manager's 80th birthday and the club's 150th anniversary next year.

And after achieving automatic promotion in London, they could also secure the League Two title on Saturday at the home game against Gillingham, depending on Doncaster Rovers' result at Notts County.

Mr Porter's coat was deemed to be a lucky charm by one fan at Saturday's victorious occasion, as he wore it at the important win at Walsall this month.

"It was really warm [this latest Saturday]... and the first half you could feel the tension," Mr Porter explained.

"I'd got my coat that I took to Walsall, that I wore at Walsall, so I put my coat on in the second half and we scored.

"I was going to take it off and a bloke next to me said 'keep it on'. I kept the coat on all second half."

Following relegation a year ago, he said "last year was ridiculous and now we've come to the sublime again".

Asked about Saturday's win specifically, Mr Porter said it was a match "that'll be etched in history".

"My dad's 83. He drives down from Scarborough every home game to watch the Vale and he's obviously been alive while the Vale have [reached] the FA Cup semi-final [in 1954].

"So I think, for me, it's moments [like these] that create memories.

"You've just got to take these moments, haven't you, and really relish them."

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