Supporters
Vale get most of their support in the north of Stoke-on-Trent, particularly the towns of Tunstall and Burslem. The club also enjoys support from fans scattered all over the city, and the local area in general. The club has a healthy rivalry with Stoke City, as City are based in the town of Stoke-upon-Trent, only a small percentage of residents in the town are Vale fans. Stoke City also tends to enjoy a higher support base in the city as a whole, especially in recent times when they have achieved promotion to the country's top division.
With 215,206 supporters turning out in 46 League Two games during the 2009–10 season, Vale attracted an average league attendance of 4,678.
The club's official matchday programme is highly rated, and was voted the best in League Two in 2010–11. Supporters also produce two unofficial fanzines. The oldest is the Vale Park Beano, which has been printed since 1997. Derek I'm Gutted! is also a long-running fanzine, and has been printed since August 2000; the name was inspired by a remark by then-manager Brian Horton to local journalist Derek Davis following a defeat to Tranmere Rovers. The club's official website is ran by the club. Independent fan-run websites include One Vale Fan, North London Valiants, Vital Port Vale, PortValeOnline.com, and the Port Vale Supporters Club.
Read more about this topic: Port Vale F.C.
Famous quotes containing the word supporters:
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