Sports Minister's boost for valiant's 5,000 season ticket campaign

The Minister for Sport told fans at Port Vale that the foundation stone for Premier League football had been laid as they shattered their target of selling 5,000 season tickets.

The Valiants have been encouraging grassroots supporters back to the club by charging the equivalent of just £8 a game with the Target 5,000 scheme.

And Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, put his weight behind the initiative by signing-up and added that it had given the League Two club a “strong foundation” for the future.

He said: “What you are doing here in setting this target is exactly the right thing to do.

“This is an incredible offer – you are helping yourself to build a strong foundation for the future and helping Port Vale back on the road to the Championship and then onto the Premier League in the medium term.”

Vale pledged to reduce the price of tickets from £323 to £183 if they sold 5,000 by the end of May.

In addition, under-19s will be able to see the Vale next term for £89, under-14s will pay £45, while under-nines will get in for free.

And today (29/5) the club and fans were celebrating as they broke through the barrier.

Mr Burnham went on: “I will put my hand in my pocket and be one of the 5,000. You have got a proud name and a proud heritage that is worth building-up and you really show your true colours when the club needs you and the chips are down.

“Football goes up and down – you have your good times and your difficult times – what matters is do you keep the faith and stick the course.

“This is a club that means a great deal to English football heritage – it’s got a proud name that you need to work behind.”

Port Vale Chairman Bill Bratt said: “I never had any doubt we'd achieve the target because there are fans out there who really care about this club.

"Vale fans are fantastic and they've come good for us. We've done what we could for them and they've now done what they could for us. It's absolutely brilliant.”

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley added: “The club is doing its best through teamwork to find a long-term solution and this initiative is indicitive of how Port Vale is trying to reach out to it’s grassroots members.”

Pictured above: Joan Walley MP, Andy Burnham MP and Port Vale Chairman Bill Bratt

For further information contact Bill Bratt – 01782 655800