Vale are off target as they lose out on Gillingham trip

PORT Vale fired a blank on their League Two trip to Gillingham. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of the Valiants’ season...

- 

THE issue of racism had reared its ugly head as Port Vale lost to Barnsley and the Valiants hierarchy condemned it in a statement.

The wording included the following: “We were extremely angered and disappointed to learn of an alleged instance of racism during the FA Cup match against Barnsley, and have since taken swift action to deal with the individual in question after establishing all available information.

“Our stance on the matter is clear: discrimination and abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Those found to have displayed such behaviour have no place at Port Vale and will - without exception - receive an indefinite ban from attending future matches.”

Unrelated to that incident, the club's chief executive officer, Matt Hancock, explained how the connection between Port Vale fans, Supporters’ Club and the club was “now aligned.”

He said it had helped the momentum sweeping through Vale Park.

Hancock was astute enough to realise results on the pitch were key but he was thrilled with how joined up the three factions were.

Speaking about the unity and the bond between all parties involved he told the club’s media team: “We worked on that as a group of staff. We recognised we needed a team but we needed a football club that connects with its community and supporters.