‘THAT’S A BIRTHDAY I

PORT Vale will kick off the new season in League One after a terrific 3-0 win over Mansfield Town at Wembley in the play-off final.

Over to Vale supporters for their say on the day, the game and the Valliants’ achievement.

Scott Lingard: This season was built on grit, determination, teamwork and and amazing work ethic on the pitch.

This game was a culmination of all of that. From the first whistle we were up for it. This team has never given up this season, and some of the performances today showed that.

It’s hard to single out players as they were all incredible. The goals stunned Mansfield and they were never really in the game.

We were ruthless today and we got what we deserved. Just one thing left to say. Anyone fancy a League One Tour?

Rob Rhead: Rarely can a Vale match have gone so much to plan. Apart from a couple of defensive errors at the start of the first half and an expected push by Mansfield at the start of the second, the Vale were dominant throughout. Recent performances have not been the best, but this was outstanding and every player stepped up to the plate. The two headed goals in four minutes put the Vale in charge but there was a little niggle of doubt that VAR might rob us.

It didn’t, and Hawkins’ sendingoff after 35 minutes put us in the driving seat and we controlled the game, finally finishing off a belowpar Mansfield with a third, ironically, from former Stags’ favourite Mal Benning.

Cue wild celebrations in the Vale end matched on the pitch after the final whistle. Start making plans for Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Ipswich Town.

Darren Goldspink: A great performance all round, did themselves, the gaffer, the owners, the fans and the city proud.

Craig Royall: What can be said? Quite an even match, but the important moments belonged to

Vale. Jake Taylor was outstanding in the middle and Wilson was just too intelligent up front.

We all wanted third a few weeks ago but none of us would swap today for third. Great day, great fans, roll on next season.

Dean Jones: Gutted I couldn’t be there but what a way to end the season. To say the emotions came out at the end of the game was an understatement, but now you’re gonna believe us, the Vale are going up.

Amber Adams: What a day, first of all to be at Wembley with my dad and my nephew was special and then to witness the lads play superbly from the first whistle to the last, Just Incredible and so proud of them

Thank you Carol and Kevin, thank you Darrell, Andy, the staff and this special group of players for bringing the good times back to this amazing football club

The atmosphere with the Vale family was absolutely magnificent. It was simply a magical day. We are going up and we did It In the best