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Post by Penners on Mar 31, 2008 15:04:06 GMT
As reported in the Sentinel
Port Vale boss Bill Bratt has become the target of a hate mail campaign from fans furious that their club is about to drop into the league basement.
Dozens of unsigned letters have included a death threat and a note from a sex attacker serving time in prison.
Now, the 63-year-old chairman has issued an open invitation to any supporter to discuss the club's affairs with him or his fellow directors - so long as they stop hiding behind their anonymity.
The latest spate of letters started around two months ago - two years after a previous campaign saw him spat at and manhandled at games, as the board snubbed a takeover bid from Italian agent Gianni Paladini.
Mr Bratt said the correspondence was triggered by Vale fans' resignation that the team would not survive in Division One.
But it got worse when they heard of a fresh offer to buy the club from Scottish businessman Pat Monro.
And the chairman, who was part of a fans' takeover to rescue Vale from bankruptcy, admits he no longer looks at website fan forums because of the vitriol of some of the attacks.
His policy is to reply to all supporters' letters carrying signatures, no matter how biting their criticism. That accounts for around 20 a day delivered to Vale Park, in Hamil Road.
But at least 24 more containing abuse or veiled threats have also been sent anonymously.
"Many of them were written out of severe disappointment with how the season has gone and I don't blame them for being so passionate," he said.
"As a lifelong fan I share that feeling, as do the rest of the board, who all love this club through and through.
"Some letters have contained threats, but because they are unsigned I haven't gone to the police as that would be wasting both their time and mine.
"Port Vale is an open club and I wish to deal as openly as possible with fans.
"That's why I say if anyone wishes to contact me I will invite them in to allow me or the other directors to explain the situation.
"If I had known what I know now, I would never have taken on this job. I sometimes crave to be back sitting in the terraces where life would be easier.
"All the directors are trying as hard as we can for the club we love, and before we step aside we want to make sure there is a Port Vale for our children and grandchildren."
Of the letters that can be printed, one from an inmate of Shrewsbury Prison says: "I have never been so embarrassed as I have been this season."
Another says: "Next season it's Man Utd v Stoke, Port Vale v Bury. Your manager is a joke, your board is a joke, your team is the worst I have seen.
"The club will close in the next 18 months."
Today, Mr Bratt won support from Dick Dale, the editor of fanzine The Vale Park Beano.
He said: "I know he is devastated with the season and admits mistakes were made, but it is disgraceful he is getting this sort of correspondence.
"We must never forget what he has done for the club when no-one else was there to save us. Without him, Vale Park would be a housing estate now."
Surely it wouldn't be hard to trace them, there aren't that many vale fans that can form sentences.
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Post by PONTAFCE on Mar 31, 2008 15:04:50 GMT
wheeled
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Post by Penners on Mar 31, 2008 15:10:47 GMT
oooopppsss sorry, didnt see the one lower down. I consider myself well and truly wheeled.  |
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Post by PONTAFCE on Mar 31, 2008 15:14:10 GMT
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Post by loyalstripey on Mar 31, 2008 15:19:24 GMT
I truly hope that I am not going to get shot down for this, but here go's...........
Don't get me wrong I am red n white through and through, always will be....... but I know Bill Bratt personally and have had some involvement with the club through business activities over the past few years. I have to say that Bill is a thoroughly nice guy who has Fail at his heart and only wants the best for the club and its supporters.
True, they are having a bad time of it... lord knows we have been there too and not long ago. But death threats.......... I am sorry, but those so-called fans that have orchestrated this despicable even identifying and publicly disgracing.
Quite frankly, it's wrong, simple as that.
GOARRRNNNNNNNN STOKE, TAKE US TO THE HALLOWED LAND!!!
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 31, 2008 15:30:22 GMT
I think they'll stay up this year, I can see it happening. Results will go their way and they'll win their last few games. If this happens, though, we won't go up.
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