Boss Clarke hopes stand switch can become a thing of the future
DARRELL CLARKE SAYS THE DECISION TO PUT VALE FANS IN THE HAMIL ROAD END PAID OFF ON THURSDAY.
PORT Vale manager Darrell Clarke is hoping the club will switch home fans to the Hamil Road end after saying the experiment paid off for Thursday’s play-off semi final win at home to Swindon.
The 4,000 capacity Hamil is usually reserved for away supporters but Vale decided to give that to home fans for the game and instead house the 2,200 Swindon supporters in the Bycars end. The move allowed Vale to get more home supporters into the ground, and Clarke says the atmosphere generated from behind the goal - and around the ground - made a crucial difference to his side.
He said: “Our supporters were absolutely outstanding, the changeover of end was magical stuff. The atmosphere was a thousand times better and I would really like the club to look for that in the future because it cranked up notches. The fans got us over the line.”
After making the decision to switch supporters for this game, the club thanked those who traditionally sit in the Bycars for their understanding. It was a
sentiment echoed by Clarke in his pre-match press conference when he said: “It is a change and I think the volume from that end will create a better atmosphere, I really do. I am thankful the fans have accepted that switch because I know there are times when people get a little bit twitchy when they don’t get the seat they usually sit in. I get that because of family things.
“So, I am really thankful the fans have done that. I am sure the noise behind the goal and in the rest of the stadium will be loud. I am looking forward to seeing what sort of atmosphere we can create with fans being in that end.”
Supporters at Thursday’s game also said switching home and away ends made a difference. Kevin Stanyer said: “The experimental switch to the Hamil cannot be underestimated. That was the finest atmosphere I have ever experienced watching the Vale in over 50 years. The energy generated in the stands drove the team on, and by goodness did they work for it.”
The crowd of 11,669, including 2,113 from Swindon, was Vale’s biggest gate of the season, beating the 10,800 for last month’s game against Bristol Rovers.
Meanwhile, Clarke has apologised to Swindon Town and captain Dion Conroy after an extra-time confrontation that saw the Port Vale manager shown a red card.
Clarke ran down the touchline to stop a ball boy returning a ball to Conroy and then appeared to thrust his head towards the player, with referee Seb Stockbridge sending him off. He watched the ongoing drama unfold from the stands, with Vale going on to come from behind in a remarkable penalty shoot-out and book their place in the League Two play-off final against Mansfield.
Vale had lost the first leg 2-1 but James Wilson’s early goal brought them level in the tie and they are now 90 minutes away from promotion to League One.
Clarke, recently returned from bereavement leave following the death of a close family member, told Sky Sports: “I want to apologise. I shouldn’t have done what I did on the touchline. I apologise to Swindon and Dion. They’re a good club, he’s a good player. I don’t know what came over me. I’ve had an emotional time. It’s the first time I’ve been sent off.
“As for being proud of the club, the owners, the players, the staff, they’ve given everything and I thought we fully deserved to go through.
“They’re a fantastic possessionbased team. Ben’s (Garner) got them playing some cracking football. We knew we had to get in their faces. I thought we had the best of chances - and to be two down in the shoot-out and win, I’m so proud.”