I am grateful Nigel Huddleston , the Minister for Sport, for giving me the time on Wednesday to raise the concerns Carol Shanahan andI have over the decision to not enable fans back, in a socially distanced manner, to clubs like Port Vale FC.
Carol and I have jointly written to him and will receive a formal response. The Minister understands our frustration and is keen to also see fans back in the stadium as he knows matchday revenue is how clubs outside the Premier League survive.
I reminded the Minister that it isn’t just the staff at Port Vale FC whose jobs are at risk but all those who supply them and pubs/cafes that rely on match day takings.
Port Vale is the heart of Burslem and has shown how a football club can be community centred, having delivered over 150,000 meals to over 40,000 people during this COVID-19 global pandemic.
Carol and I are clear that Government support is necessary is fans can’t return to the stands imminently.