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FIRST TIME FANS EXPERIENCE PORT VALE VICTORY

Writer's picture: Archie ToothArchie Tooth


“I would absolutely love to come back to Port Vale and I already plan to return with my husband and our family and friends.”


“My favourite memory of the day was after we scored the winning goal and we all chanted ‘Vale all over!’”


“I was delighted that our First Time Fans had a great time; it was a lovely reminder of what it’s all about at Port Vale - family, community and connection.”


Those were the reactions from Her Game Too’s Port Vale Ambassador and the lucky women and girls who were treated to a matchday experience at Vale Park as part of our First Time Fans initiative.


First Time Fans, which is run in partnership between Her Game Too, EA Sports and host football clubs, aims to provide females with their first experience of attending a professional football match in a welcoming and comfortable environment.


The first two events took place in November last year, when groups of women and girls attended Brighton and Hove Albion’s 1–1 draw with Southampton and Brentford’s 2–2 thriller against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.


Port Vale vs Newport County was one of the first two First Time Fans events to take place at English Football League games, along with Swindon Town vs Barrow.



EA Sports sponsors the attendees’ tickets and Her Game Too Ambassadors work with the club to welcome the group and provide a memorable experience.


Sophie Barber, Her Game Too’s Port Vale Ambassador, promoted the opportunity to attend the home fixture on January 18 through fan groups, local schools, Her Game Too’s channels and the Port Vale Foundation.


Club merchandise, including scarves and foam thumbs, and a message from Port Vale manager Darren Moore were provided for the successful applicants before the game.


Sophie said: “We met at the grounds family hub for 1:30pm, where our guests met Port Vale’s co-owner and chair, Carol Shanahan OBE, CEO Matt Hancock and Head of Community Will Turner.


“After the introductions, we had a walk around the ground and the fan zone, then we showed our First Time Fans around the club shop and pointed out the information they could get there.


“We all entered the ground soon after and were invited onto the pitch for a photograph.


“Following that, we took our seats in the family stand where we enjoyed some nail-biting Port Vale football.”


A thriller at Vale Park saw Newport take the lead twice in the first half through goals from Bobby Kamwa and Cameron Evans, either side of Ben Garrity scoring for the hosts.


The Valiants stepped up the intensity in the second 45 minutes and secured a 3-2 win with goals from Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Headley - boosting their ambitions of securing a League Two play-off spot.


Sophie added: “Initiatives like this are important because they provide an opportunity that may not have been an option for some before due to financial reasons, fear of the unknown or lack of opportunity.


“It’s great to openly welcome new fans whilst supporting them in the process of attending, whether that be supporting any anxieties about going to football or just showing them where to buy a ticket - the opportunity is there to support whatever they need to get them through the turnstiles and build the fanbase.


“First Time Fans helps to celebrate female fans, whilst fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for those attending to join and enjoy the experience.”


Throughout 2025, First Time Fans experiences are set to follow at a variety of Premier League, English Football League and Women’s Super League clubs.


Our designated club ambassadors will contact various schools and community groups local to the club to find women and girls who will benefit from attending their first game in a safe group environment.




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Her Game Too operates as a CIC (Community Interest Company) and is filed under Companies House.

 

This enables us to reinvest profits back into grassroots sports for girls and help raise awareness of our work through various content and events.​

Proudly sponsored by GR.IT Consultancy.

©2024 Her Game Too 

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