Port Vale Invited to Sandyford & Goldenhill Public Meeting

At Thursday night’s Sandyford & Goldenhill Public Meeting we had Port
Vale F.C. Owner Carol Shanahan, and Port Vale Chief Executive Matt Hancock in
attendance.

Carol informed residents that on the 7^th May 2019 she bought
Port Vale. adding it was a crazy bonkers thing to do, but I love it she said.

The football club owner said that her husband Kevin and myself came to this
public meeting 6 years ago, and it’s the biggest and best resident’s
association, and you fight for what you want, adding “I won’t speed on Reginald
Mitchell Way” (tongue in cheek).

In regards to football with Port Vale she said, we have been promoted twice
and relegated once, and we need support, but also saying that all areas in the
city need support as well, including being listened to.

Carol went onto say that during lockdown (COVID) that Port Vale delivered
175,000 free meals around the area, as well as chatting to people during the
period, adding that Stoke on Trent are a good community and are survivors.

She went onto talk about “Golden Valiants” as in having a club on a Thursday
for the over 55’s, adding that it brings people together, which is an important
part of supporting the community.

Carol then talked about Matt Hancock when first joining the club when he
became the Director of Community where he created his own role, and after that
he then became the club’s Chief Executive.

Matt Hancock then talked about how really proud he is of Port Vale, saying
that as a club we have to stay true to ourselves, listen to our community,
adding that we talk all the time with everyone, including the football club’s
manager.

Matt went onto to say that in Port Vale’s 150^th year they are
trying to get to as many different groups as possible, he then talked about
attendances at Port Vale which have doubled in 6 years to around 8,000, and
then went onto say their main drive is Port Vale supporters, also adding that
delivering out to community charities to over 6,000 people is important as
well.

Matt Hancock did stress that Port Vale can’t take their eye off football, as
in keeping a successful team, football is a priority, but we do keep an eye on
supporting our community as well.