Robbie Williams asked to take a stand as Port Vale's 'embarrassing' fans get slammed!

Port Vale: Disgruntled fans chastised for protest

Port Vale have apologised to new investors and sponsors for the negative response of a minority of the club's supporters.

Vale announced a 10-year deal with US company Ameriturf Global Sports (AGS) worth over £1.6million on Monday, an agreement which comes ahead of a pre-planned extraordinary general meeting on June 1, called by a supporters group in the wake of increased pressure from disgruntled fans to oust the current board.

A statement released by the club on Wednesday has revealed "a number of people pursuing their own interests in respect of Port Vale have seen fit to carry out a series of entirely unworthy actions aimed at the club's new and wholly respected partners".

The statement goes on to reference people calling the AGS offices posing as reporters presenting extremely negatively biased questions, others making aggressive, abusive and obscene comments over the phone and people posting misleading and dishonest comments regarding AGS on an independent website.

A section of the release read: "We have reassured our partners in AGS that the great majority of Port Vale fans are decent and genuine people who are equally embarrassed and appalled by these and various preceding unprincipled assaults carried out by this group, in pursuit of their agenda."

AGS principal Tim Hollinger described the disappointing actions as "only a minor glitch", and added: "AGS remains dedicated to the development of these exciting projects, which will bring long-term benefits to the club, to its supporters and to all of the people of the North Staffs community."


Robbie Williams: a major shareholder at Vale Park

Mo Chaudry is the businessman that hopes the Valiant supporting pop star will vote on his behalf at an Extraordinary General Meeting on Wednesday, June 1st.

He hopes the Take That singer, who owns 24.9% of shares, will not abstain from voting on the future of the Burslem club, though it looks as if Williams will in fact do exactly that.

(UPDATE: Robbie has now decided to give his (proxy) votes to Port Vale Supporters Club. Full story here: www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Pop-star-Williams-hands-proxy-votes-supporters-s-club/article-3603620-detail/article.html)

Chaudry told BBC Radio Stoke: "If Robbie was prepared to invest in Vale he should take responsibility and vote. Robbie will effectively neutralise the board's vote and then it would be very interesting because we would see proper democracy in play."

Based locally, Chaudry has offered to buy 51% of shares in the Staffordshire team, worth £1.2m, hoping to take a controlling interest, but club rules state that no one person can own more than 24.9%.

The North London Valiants, blimey there are North London Valiants, even sent a questionnaire to the club's shareholders showing that 40% are in favour of calling the meeting.

Brilliant, where are the Shrimpers willing to that against Uncle Ron, EEB start a West London branch for Southend!

Anyway, the current board took charge at Vale Park in December 2003 when the other team in the Potteries found themselves in administration.

Bill Bratt was made chairman of the Valiants backed by fan organisation Valiant 2001, and he only took a season to lead the Valiants out of administration.

However, those fickle fans now want to see someone else have a go!

Bratt said: "Valiant 2001 was formed to keep the club in the hands of the supporters. This is why the 24.9% share holding rule was introduced and we still believe that this is the right way to go. If the shareholders vote me out then that is ok with me. It could go either way. If we're voted out, we'll go but I'll always support the club. At the end of the day, it's not about me, it's about Port Vale and, if they think that that is best for the club, then so be it."

A win (& 16 more goals) from the play-offs