PLANS TO COMPLETE STATUE FOR ICON JOHN IN TIME FOR HIS 80TH
PLANS for a statue of John Rudge at Vale Park have overcome an early obstacle – persuading the man himself he’s worthy of the tribute.
Rudge is Port Vale’s greatest manager having led the club to three promotions, three Wembley appearances and had them in the Championship for the majority of the 1990s.
But fans have had to convince him to sign up for the project, as was explained at Thursday night’s Supporters’ Club meeting.
The Supporters Club are working with Rudge, who is now Port Vale’s president, and sculptor Michael Talbot, who produced the Sproson statue at Vale Park.
In fact, Talbot will meet Rudge next week to begin some designs for the statue.
Supporter Dave Thorley, who is on a five-person committee for the statue project, said: “You see outside the wonderful statue to the Sproson family, of Roy who is the most iconic and long serving player for Port Vale. Our objective is to have a statue to the most iconic and long-serving manager of Port Vale.
“Without doubt, that is John.
“Can we do a statue? We believe we can. It is a big ask because producing a statue akin to the one outside is not a five-minute job.
“At the moment, our objective is to have it completed by John’s 80th birthday which is three years away.
“Mike Talbot is a fantastic guy, a fantastic artist and sculptor who has come up with some fabulous ideas as to how the statue will be produced and how we can link it into fundraising processes throughout the various stages.”
Thorley added: “I am sure we will end up with something that is iconic and is a fabulous tribute to John.
“One of the hardest things so far is to actually convince John he is deserving of the statue.
“The club and his family are behind it and we are going to make sure his family are involved in this process all the way through.
“But if you have ever met John you will know he is so humble.
“When we do start the process, there will be a number of calls to action, because it won’t just be the five of us on the committee responsible for doing this. It is going to be all Port Vale supporters who want to be involved.
“We will try to get events and functions that hopefully you will enjoy, and hopefully get iconic players involved as well.
“Hopefully you will help us to support the fund-raising process so we can ensure John’s statue is erected in good time.”
PORT Vales’s FA Cup first-round tie at home to Accrington Stanley has been confirmed for Saturday November 6 (3pm). Tickets are £15 adults, £10 concessions and £5 for under-17s. Those prices rise £2 in the Lorne Street and also increase £2 if bought on matchday.