Away Days - Port Vale

The bus left Tescos at 8.30 for the trip to Stoke-On-Trent, as the fans were wondering if we would get our first win at Port Vale in 49 years. Surely we would end the jinx? I had my pop and crisps at the ready for the short-ish journey.

We were being treated today as we had an '83 seat Executive coach' (Ugo told me to say that) It was a double-decker with lots of leg room, plasma screens, comfy seats and waiter service (OK I made that last bit up, but it was a nice coach). Can we have that every week please? The bad thing was, was that the microphone was working and we were forced to listen to Ugo's jokes. It was suggested he needed a new joke book for Christmas.

A quick service stop on the way up followed by two films - Scary Movie and Click (Never heard of the latter), before we stopped for an hour at Stone, in Stafford for a few refreshments.

On the way to the ground the driver seemed to get lost, so we picked up a Port Vale fan on the way to direct us. I hope he was charged the bus fare though!

We arrived in Burslem at around 2pm and I made my way into the ground, I bought my programme - with Vale featuring Lee Trundle in the 'One to Watch', a good choice, but the Vale defenders weren't watching him very closely in the game. Also at first glance it looked like jailbird Izzy Iriekpen on the front of the programme. Or is it just me?

We were situated behind the goal, not a bad view - Better than Newport. Vale Park is a nice ground; it's an all seater stadium, with a little development work going on to our right. The pitch is very wide - obviously to accommodate our wonderful wing play! But it looked half empty as the Vale fans were dotted around.

There wasn't much pre-match build-up, but the music was good, not that the oldies would agree with me. Also the announcement that Port Vale would have to play in their blue away kit brought some amusement, as The Swans had forgotten to bring the third kit.

The atmosphere was brilliant - one of the best for a while. The away end had cover and also had good acoustics, but the Jackarmy were singing throughout, all the usual songs. It was very cold so singing and jumping up and down warmed us all up. But there was no noise whatsoever from the home supporters, the quietest set of fans this season.

The chant of the day was 'There's only one Gary Barlow' after Robbie Williams is a ….. nice man' Although I doubt we are the first group of fans to sing it to them this season.

So a good day and the jinx was lifted, it was one of the best away days for a while, atmosphere wise and made even more special because of the two late goals. Let's just hope it won't be another 49 years to win at Vale Park (If we play them in that time) in the year 2055 when I'll be nearly 70!!

The 83 seat executive coach arrived back in Swansea at 9:15. Coming up next away from home is the short trip to Darlington, followed by Brighton and Blackpool all in the space of a week.

Ticket: £8 (Under 16's)

Coach: £14

Programme: £2.50

Total: £24.50

Current Total: £488.50

Photo: Action Images

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