Thetownend.com

Since ive moved up to Stoke (dont ask) ive been itching to get to a game - Stoke games have been sold out and to go to see Villa Man City the other night would have set me back £36...so i thought seeing as i couldnt get to the Exeter game last night id head on down to Vale Park to see Port Vale vs Stockport.

I dragged some lads along from my course and promised them it would be good - in my head i thought it was going to be shit - JPT...and Port Vale and expecting a half empty Vale Park. We got there in the pissing rain, only paid £5 to get in and then Port Vale scored 3 goals in 15mins with Stockport pulling one back before 20mins.

What a fantastic game of football and to my surprise 3,100 odd fans turned up. This was the point i wanted to make. People slate the JPT as being worthless etc - even my friend from Ireland only knew it as the 'painting trophy'. But i thought Vale fans summed up the competition should and does mean something to fans. The atmosphere at Vale park last night was brilliant. Lashing it down with rain, their home fans didnt stop singing for 90mins - even the harden Stockport fans gave voice. Both managers put out good sides and a great game of football was played out - could easily have been 7-6 if not for some poor finishing and great goalkeeping.

I couldnt help but think of the last JPT game i went to - Swindon v Brentford when we demolished them with our reserves - no bugger there and watching a mixture of kids/reserves playing. No atmosphere.

So I for one am hoping for a decent cup run this year - even if it is only in the JPT.

It would help to have a home game, though the atmosphere probably wouldn't be there.

Saints would attract a good gate.

I'm not too fussed about the JPT but to the extent where I actually want us to lose. If we go on a run then great. It's a chance to get to Wembley for a day out and some money for the club etc etc but if we lose I couldn't care less. If we get a home draw i'll certainly go and support the team.

Its a very important competition for teams like us....Smith and co get run outs and Leeds in the final would net us a million easy with TV etc.

Norwich home next round.

A cup run is not essential and one in the FA cup could be more rewarding financially (if we are to focus on a cup run) as we could playing teams from a higher level

And we wouldnt want it to distract us from our play off push, which i feel is of more importance to us

Obviously a run in the FA Cup and the league is more important, i just wanted to emphasise that it was refreshing to see a set of fans getting behind the team no matter what competition and due to the weather that night. Was a proper old fashioned type atmosphere and feel to the night. Too many people wouldnt go nowadays because a) its only the JPT b) the weather puts them off c) too expensive to go.

So just thought it was good by the club for making it dirt cheap and to the fans for going along and supporting and caring as much as any other match because it was their team and therefore careda bout winning

Very true. We dont see it too often nowadays, like you say people just dont bother with these sorts of games and it was great to see so many fans turning up for a match that many others would dismiss as unimportant.

Dont agree...got more chance of progressing to the big money in the JPT than when  meeting the big boys in the cup.....Wilsons team last night seems to bear that point out.

It makes hell of a difference when the club outlines it wants to try and win the competition,if we are drawn at home next round i will be there supporting the team.

I suposse in the JPT we are only 3 victories away from Wembley and facing opposition we have a decent chance of beating

Alot will depend on the draw Langers...ie Norwich away would be tough..so lets hope for a decent draw for a change.

Yeah Definatley..... Lets hope for Hereford at home then

4 games technically as we would play a 2 legged southern final if we get there I believe.

I predict the future.

I've never slagged off the JPT or its equivalent. Whenever we have been in the third or fourth division I've always been desperate for us to get to the final. We've never really got close though.