By Kirsty Rollings
Port Vale Club President and former Manager John Rudge, surprised Vale fans on Easter Sunday, by turning up to the Crewe 10k to support them at the starting line of the race.
‘Rudgie’ and his daughter wanted to thank presenters and listeners of the popular ‘Ale and Vale’ podcast for raising over £1,500 for the John Rudge statue, being organised by the Port Vale Supporters’ club. Rudge managed the club during 1983 to 1999 – covering a period of Vale’s most successful years in the club’s history – and has since returned as Club President.
13 Vale fans joined 300 other runners, in their second race managed by local timing and registration company and podcast sponsor, AV Timing. This race, facilitated by South Cheshire Harriers’ Running Group, was a sell out, with male winner Alun Dight completing the course in 31:53 and female winner Donna Sherwin in 37:06.
Ale and Vale Podcast presenter, Daniel Berrisford, took part in the race alongside regular podcast guest Tom Amos. Presenter Johnny Hancock joined other Vale fans who made the trip to Crewe to support them both and the other Vale podacst listeners.
Daniel Berrisford said: “It was great to see so many Vale shirts out on the course and I am overwhelmed with the support people have shown us in raising over £1,500 for such a legend.
”The Crewe 10k was a great course with plenty of support – it’s a race I’ll look to do again. Also, a massive thank you to John Rudge who surprised us by coming and thanking us personally before the race took place. He took the time to have photographs with us and told us stories from his time as manager.”
Former Port Vale Manager and current Club President, John Rudge, addressed supporters at the starting line, saying: “I am so grateful to Port Vale supporters for their support over the years. I wanted to come along to this race to personally thank those from the Ale and Vale podcast for taking part and raising this money, as well as all of the other generous contributions towards the statue.”
Fundraising contributions to the John Rudge Statue through the Ale and Vale Podcast are now closed, raising a total of £1,600.
