For more than three decades, the North London Valiants have been flying the black-and-white flag in the capital. Now into its 31st year, the supporter group has grown to over 100 passionate members, proving that distance is no barrier when it comes to following the Vale.
With Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on their doorstep, it’s still Vale Park that feels like home. Founding member Steve Burdekin – who also serves on the club’s Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) – is just one example of the commitment and pride that runs through this remarkable group of supporters...
How did the group come to be?
Steve: “North London Valiants was formed loosely in 1994 by myself and another Vale fan called Stuart Salt. We lived in London from university doing work experience, so started from there and moved down in ‘96. Of course, at that time we were in the Championship and numbers started to grow! We had a few homemade flags and still got up to Vale Park a lot – there were a lot of railway works at the time, so it was often bus replacements and all that. In the late ‘90s, it really started to pick up through emails and people getting in touch. It became broader than North London, but we kept the name and used to be associated with other groups. Many of us are season ticket holders and youngsters that have grown up to be Vale fans despite living in London their whole lives. We’ve been sponsoring games for the last 25 years, through thick and thin, but always keep coming back to Vale Park.”
What was it like to draw Arsenal in the cup, just four years after starting out?
Steve: “It was crackers! One, because it was Arsenal at a great stadium, but also because it was 10 minutes away on the number 29 bus. I remember it was the whole manual process for buying tickets and I was buying for others so had all this cash with me! I think we were the only team to play them home and away without losing that season, and they went on to win the double.”
How many of you are coming up for tonight’s game?
Steve: “We’ve all booked independently and got our tickets digitally, so there are about 12 to 15 of us coming up in one little group and then others with different groups. We’re bringing a big flag – the original one I painted at my house in Leyton after sticking it up on the wall and it went straight through and onto the wall, which my wife wasn’t chuffed about! The one we’ve got now I made myself but hasn’t been out much over the last few years.”
Finally, living away from Burslem but being on the SAB – has that kept you connected to the club?
Steve: “Yeah, Vale’s in our blood and I still have family up here, so it’s great to still have that connection and meet other Vale fans. It keeps us grounded and is brilliant for us.”
