The Countdown Begins!

This is it Brothers and Sisters, Seven days until the Mighty Valiants travel to North Manchester to begin our third - and surely our last - season in the basement division.

And d'you know what? In some respects I'll miss the place. Ok, it's certainly no place for a Club of our stature, with our glorious history, but the last two seasons have seen us travel to some wonderful footballing outposts, a nostalgic visit to terracing, bacteria-ridden pies, falling down stands. It's been marvellous. Sadly though, the end is nigh for these fantasic Cathedrals. No more Saltergate, no more Christie Park, replaced by the identikit Stadiums that have been springing up with frequent regularity since the mid-nineties.

Still, nevermind. We are due a bit of success, and we now have the squad to deliver. Micky Adams has cleared out the deadwood ,and replaced it with some experience and know-how. Gary Roberts is by far the most interesting of the new additions, and has a lot to prove. He knows he's drinking in the last chance saloon - and hopefully he will stick to Orange Juice. The booze-bingeing, bookies-bothering midfield playmaker has plenty of talent, just needs to keep his head straight and learn to deal with the pressure. We have the Management team to keep him in line.

Football. Magic, innit.

More From Market Harborough

Vale attack in front of the cheering masses

A few more photo's from yesterdays 3-0 win at Harborough Town. There could have been lots more, however, 'Blogger' will only allow me to upload five photo's per blog. But nevermind, this I'm sure is ample.


Chris Martin wears a football as a hat


Tommy Fraser fancies some


Sean Rigg looking slightly like Michael Walsh


Kris Taylor giving a left-back masterclass in the Leicestershire countryside

The Sun Shines In Market Harborough

It's been two long months since the 2009/10 season ended, and although we've had the World cup to keep us occupied during the last month this is what it's all about. Yesterday Port Vale began their pre-season with a knock-about against Harborough Town.


The national anthem blares out in a field in Market Harborough


Vale players contemplate the meaning of life


Stuart Tomlinson and the infamous John McCombe


Trialist and lower league scoundrel Gary Roberts

David Mulligan At The World Cup!

How bizarre is this?! David Mulligan is at The World Cup Finals with New Zealand! How has this happened? Does anyone remember this bloke? Played at full-back for us for the last few months of THAT disasterous relegation season 07-08. He resembled nothing more than a jobbing footballer making his way quietly towards the void that is non-league football and here he is, possibly playing against Italy later today! Yet another Port Vale connection in South Africa. Let's see - Robbie Earle, David Mulligan, and, of course, Brighty - Mark Bright, BBC Co-commentator and product of the Rudge years.

Robbie's In Mither...

Vale legend Robbie Earle

What a disaster for Robbie Earle! The former Vale legend has been sacked from his job as ITV football pundit after 40 'complimentary' tickets for friends and family came into the hands of a Dutch beer company. Oops! 'The Guardian' newspaper were a little bit cruel yesterday when they suggested that this was the most interesting thing Earle had ever done as a pundit.

Robbie is one of the greatest footballers ever to grace Vale Park. He was part of the halcyon days of the John Rudge-era, where Vale were lifted to new heights. Sadly for Robbie he was eventually sold to Wimbledon (although it was good for us as we got a packet from the sale), who at the time were peddling the type of grim, artless, route one football that makes Stoke City look like fine purveyors of the beautiful game. Robbie also represented Jamaica in the World Cup Finals.



So, what next for Robbie? His TV punditry days are also certainly over. Could it be a return to Vale Park in some capacity for our hero?

You Reap What You Sow...

What a terrible, terrible mistake. I've only myself to blame for this. Nobody forced me to buy the Schwartz flavourful Mexican Chilli Chicken mix, it was an action born out of my usual Sunday laziness. Lamentable decision making. This mix of dried onion, sea salt, sugar, roasted cocoa bean, dried garlic, roasted cumin, coriander leaves, green bell pepper, coriander seed, dried tomato, dried jalapeno pepper, dried chillies, natural flavouring, vegetable oil and paprika was woefully insipid. Did I expect anything else?

No. I really didn't have any high expectations for this, although I still feel shockingly let down. It was horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. Will I learn a lesson from this travesty? Probably not.


Schwartz Flavourful Mexican Chilli Chicken. Disgusting.

Call That A Fountain?

Good God. Take a good look at this. A brand new fountain unveiled on Saturday in the middle of town. Just consider all the wonderful fountains the world over, the romantic tourist attractions where people flock to throw coins in and make their wishes, and look what we've had foisted upon us.

It's a glorified puddle. An ugly, pointless waste of money. Shameful.