Sports performance expert proves wearing club colours ca improve how your team performs

August by wearing home shirts, scarfs and for the loyal, body paint.  The rallying call comes after research from leading Performance Coach Jamie Edwards has found fans showing their support through the club colours has a greater impact than traditional vocal support alone.^thPort Vale is calling for fans to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ at the opening home league match on the 9

The report found the psychological effect of fans wearing club colours can significantly impact on the way players respond on the pitch. Previous studies have found93% of communication is nonverbal, including on the football field. Our minds react differently to visual stimuli and the human brain deciphers image elements simultaneously, while language is decoded in a linear, sequential manner taking more time to process.

Jamie Edwards explains: “While managers always ask fans to be vocal, in sports performance you focus on the non-obvious. For a supporter the obvious is making noise, however players react to visual changes before sound. The non-obvious for the fan is to make a visual impact.

man by creating a powerful visual cue to the players which shows total support. This is the chance for every Valiant fan to help shape the club’s season.”^th“The ‘Wall of Colour’ is a call to action for the Vale fans to become the 12

The report also found they key time for fans to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ is during the first home game of the season. In the 2013/14 Sky Bet Football League season, of the 10 clubs promoted, 7 won their first home game whilst 3 came away with a draw. In contrast all the 9 relegated clubs lost their first home game. The research also found that a home team is 37.29% more likely to score goals than the away team.

The report from Jamie Edwards commissioned by The Football League also found that:

•       ·Home advantage is reliant on a passionate fan-base and the noise made by a home crowd, which can directly influence results through motivating players

      ·Red is statistically the most successful colour, followed by blue

Jamie Edwards said: “There is no doubt that when you combine the elements of playing at home with visual fan support, fans can have an effect on team performance. Creating a ‘Wall of Colour’ can help the Valiants win that crucial first home game.”

Manager Micky Adam’s believes this initiative could be that vital last piece in the puzzle to get the squad starting on winning ways.

Micky said: “The fans were brilliant last season and we want that to be replicated again. I believe this can be done with the fans creating a wall of colour against Walsall to start this season in style, which will hopefully be repeated throughout the season.

“The psychological effects on the team are obviously massive, we hope this will spur us on to an even better performance than what I expect from the lads already. Walsall are our local rivals as well so it makes it even more relevant that the fans show the Port Vale colours off with pride during the game.”

Shaun Harvey, the Chief Executive of The Football League, said: “The beginning of the new season is always a special time, with supporters full of hope and expectation that this season is going to be their year. It’s great to see so many fans set to create a ‘Wall of Colour’ at Port Vale and I hope that supporters across The League rise to the challenge.  Every side will want to make a strong start to the new season and the three points on offer could go on to make all the difference when the trophies are being handed out next Spring.”

The ‘Wall of Colour’ is set to be created by Vale fans on the 9th August against Walsall.

the Vale WallTo find out how you can support the Vale and get involved with the ‘Wall of Colour’, check out the official club channels: Twitter: @OfficialPVFC, Facebook: OFFICIALPORTVALE and

Fans can also follow The Football League Twitter feed@football_leagueand join the conversion using #WallOfColour.