Pictured above: Vale in action in 1964
Vale’s story has always been centred on the people who love it; supporters, staff, volunteers and the occasional visitor whose devotion travels thousands of miles.
One of those visitors was Chet Weir, an American supporter remembered by the club and longtime followers for the warmth of his visits and the small, surprising ways he tried to help the club.
The clearest contemporary record of Chet’s connection to Port Vale appears in a 1964 matchday programme for the Vale’s fixture with Luton Town. The programme contains a short, welcoming mention of “our genial supporter from America, Chet Weir,” confirming that he visited Vale Park and was known to the club’s matchday writers at that time.
Living in Missouri, USA, where he worked as a shipping clerk, he was intrigued by the unusual sound of ‘Port Vale’ and decided to learn more. His curiosity eventually brought him to England, alongside his wife Marie, where he made his first visit to Vale Park in September 1964, witnessing a 4-0 defeat to Brentford. Despite the scoreline, that match sparked a lasting affection for the club.
More than a tourist
Supporter recollections and club-community posts from discussion boards add colour and detail to that single programme line. Long-standing members of the Vale online community remember Chet as a long-term follower who not only travelled to watch the Vale but also tried - in the spirit of friendship and support - to connect players and people across the Atlantic.
One forum thread notes that Chet even attempted to suggest players to the club (the USA international Willy Roy is mentioned in those recollections as someone who Chet put forward). While these stories come from supporter memory rather than official club minutes, they consistently describe the same curious and well-meaning role Chet played.
Why Chet’s story matters
Chet’s legacy is small but important. He represents a time when international supporters tended to the relationship with their clubs in low-key, personal ways - visiting the ground, buying programmes, writing letters and telling friends abroad about the club they loved. In an era when clubs now actively cultivate overseas followings, it’s worth remembering that genuine, lasting support often begins with one person showing up because of a connection they felt from afar.
The programme’s friendly line and the memories preserved on discussion boards together make a compelling portrait of that quieter kind of fandom.
Look out for more International Fans Day content across our channels this weekend, ahead of our dedicated matchday against Plymouth Argyle.
