Ahead of International Fans Day, we caught up with Super Vale Abroad's Patrick Scragg, who's been discussing what it's like to support the Vale, all the way from Australia!
Patrick is the originator of the Super Vale Abroad concept and leads the group's relationship with the club, ensuring that Vale supporters around the world can remain connected to everything happening at Vale Park.
Scroll down to read a 10-question Q&A with Patrick, as we prepare to celebrate International Fans Day at our home game against Newport County on Saturday 18th January:
1) Firstly, can you tell us where you're from and how long you've been supporting Vale?
I’m originally from Light Oaks, Stoke-on-Trent and have been a Vale fan since birth – a non-negotiable that I’m very proud of! I currently reside on the Central Coast of New South Wales in Australia, roughly an hour or so north of Sydney. I live here with my wife Lauren and my little Valiant son Jackson (below). To keep a long story short a one-year working holiday adventure eventuated into a career, a family, and a life “Down Under”.
2) What made you fall in love with Port Vale, and what does the club mean to you personally?
I remember the buzz of my first game, the Autoglass Trophy Final in 1993 vs Stockport. I put my Vale home kit (not just shirt) on, hopped on a coach from Hanley St Luke’s school for the long trip to “old Wembley” and remember celebrating in the stands as of course we won 2-1 – instantly I fell in love. I found having a club to support and to be proud of was infectious. Further and very importantly, Vale has helped me to make many friends locally and internationally throughout the years and I feel privileged to be a part of our Valiant community.
3) Supporting a club from afar isn’t always easy... what are some of the challenges you face as an international supporter?
Fortunately, the modern digital world we live in allows international supporters to stay up to date and connected to the club via club website, club socials and YouTube etc. The recently launched SVA membership package includes streaming of live games on PVTV, meaning we can watch pretty much every game live. The only major challenge of course is time zones i.e. 3pm on a Saturday can equate to 2am in the morning for me during summer. Another missing piece of course is missing the true matchday experience – nothing beats being in the terraces with friends, soaking up a matchday atmosphere and I miss that.
4) What’s been your most memorable Vale moment as a supporter?
From a matchday/playing perspective I think it still must be the 1-0 win against Stoke way back in 2002, courtesy of Michael Cummins' glancing header. Stoke were mid “Icelandic revolution” and doing well in the league, but we showed up and dominated in front of a bumper crowd at the “Brit”. Extending beyond that I remember sitting proudly in the Railway Stand when we took Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to penalties in the F.A. Cup – another moment that cemented my love for the Vale. I could write a novel with some sentimental moments, but I think those two stand out for me personally. Off the pitch forming Super Vale Abroad, building and connecting our international community is something I’m very proud of. Timely to mention our awesome leadership team in Tony Boulton, Stuart Kerby and Steve Higgins who have been instrumental in getting us to where we are today.
5) Why do you think initiatives like Super Vale Abroad and International Fans Day are so important for supporters like yourself?
Our Super Vale Abroad (SVA) group is a way to help our international-based Valiants to remain connected to the club, despite our respective distances from Vale Park. Although we can’t be present at any/many Vale games anymore, we’re still all passionate Vale fans who follow the club closely and of course we want to do our bit for the Vale and local community. Since inception we have raised thousands of pounds and sent to the Port Vale Foundation to purchase matchday tickets, shirts, Junior Valiant packs etc to help send Valiants of the future to Vale games in our absence.
We held our first International Fans Day event last year at the Portsmouth home game and this season it will be held at the Newport County home game in January. We’re still in our infancy with it but it’s a way to celebrate all our international links to Port Vale Football Club. Whether its players such as Lorent Tolaj (sponsored by Super Vale Abroad), supporters based overseas, local supporters with overseas heritage, it’s just a way to celebrate and recognise that Port Vale Football Club extends way beyond the ST postcode.
For me personally, both Super Vale Abroad and International Fans Day make me feel appreciated, included and a part of Port Vale Football Club, as it does for many other international supporters.
6) When was your last visit to Vale Park, and do you have any future trips planned?
Now this one is a comical one… it’s so long ago in my first visit back to the UK in 2012 but not without effort, I’m just cursed I think! I’ve tried and tried to attend since emigrating to Australia for example, I had tickets to attend 4 games during my trips to the UK during the 21/22 and 22/23 seasons. Every game was postponed due to either covid or weather! I’m not sure when the next trip over is but I’ll ensure I get to a game, hopefully with my wife and son alongside me.
7) How do you stay connected with the club from so far away - is it mainly through social media, streaming matches, supporters' groups, or something else?
Yes, as mentioned before the Super Vale Abroad group and membership (i.e. PVTV) and the club's socials mainly in terms of discussion and for example watching player interviews on PVTV and/or YouTube. Also listening to the Ale and the Vale podcast and reading Baggers’ newsletters each week really help to extend my supporter experience.
8) What makes Vale's community of supporters special to you, especially as someone supporting the club from a different country?
I think that any Vale fan knows that despite the trials and tribulations, the ups and the downs, the agony and ecstasy, we wouldn’t and couldn’t support any other team. We Valiants are a motley bunch but ultimately, we stand side-by-side bound by a black, white and gold aura. Being based in another country means absolutely nothing in terms of supporter status – it’s just a location we support the Vale from.
9) How do you celebrate the club’s victories or big moments in your part of the world? Do you share these experiences with others?
We tend to connect and discuss via social media pre and post every game. We have several Meta/Facebook/Messenger groups/chats where we discuss all things, Vale. I’m very proud that our Super Vale Abroad group are a fantastic bunch, and everyone is respectful of each other’s opinions. For me personally, a standard matchday pre and post-game experience will mean I’ll watch a game, post in our group or group chat and listen to the Ale and Vale review podcast.
10) What would you say to other international supporters or anyone thinking of joining Super Vale Abroad? How does it enhance your connection to the club?
Wherever and whoever you are the world, we welcome you to be a part of our community. We have a website (https://supervaleabroad.com/), a Facebook group (search for us), email of supervaleabroad@hotmail.com or as of this season fans can obtain an official Super Vale Abroad membership (including live streaming of games) via the club website here: https://www.port-vale.co.uk/pvtvpackages.
All these avenues are an opportunity for you to stay connected and up to date with all things Vale to your preference. Whether you are a passive follower or like me, you can’t miss a thing, the opportunity and capability is there for you to explore and enjoy.
We would like to thank Patrick for taking the time to speak to us and look forward to continuing to build our relationship with our overseas supporters!