A bitterly cold wind blowing under (initially) sunny skies, sitting in a scruffy half-finished ground surrounded by mutants. Just a normal day out in Burslem (twinned with Chernobyl). The first half was dire - absolutely dire. Stanley had a man sent off inside 10 minutes but still managed to look the better side against a Port vale who really didn't appear to know each other, let alone how to play football. The only good thing was the Time to go, time to go, time to go, fuck off !! sing sung to the departing Stanley red card. At half time we searched our iphones for the Geiger counter app just in case we were about to start growing a second head (or a nose the size of a VW Beetle like the man behind us). Then the whistle went for the second half and it was all different (apart from the temperature which was continuing to fall) as Vale ripped into their depleted opposition. The goals came and the local faithful were able to grunt and drool their approval. But - sadly - the best part of the match was probably the final whistle.

Couldnt wait to visit here, very shallow reasons other than it was on my 92 list i wanted to see Lee Hughes (the scorer who single handed dragged Notts out of league 2 into league 1 and kept us there for the first season then has been treated worse than a dog and left to come to Portvale ). Anyway back to the ground i loved it ! walking up to stadium there was a tuffy stall selling broken rock and sweets then another selling rosettes and badges ! Everyone was dead friendly and i got talking to some stewards who made me welcome and especially when i told them i was doing the 92 and had come to see Lee Hughes - even better when he scored two goals !! New main stand not finished and they have had loads of money troubles and weeds growing all around the entrance i went in in but still great atmosphere and i really liked it.- 1 would go again it just had something special.! loved the fact their kop fans moved down from one end of the stadium at half time to the other end to get behind the goal scoring end. Maybe shabby chic but one of my favorites !

Very very cold!