Letter To Port Vale - Fan Behaviour

After receiving complaints from Gillingham supporters about the behaviour of a minority of Port Vale fans following our 0-1 victory, we sought the opinions of both Gills and Port Vale fans regarding the incidents.

We would like to thank both sets of supporters, who took the time to write to us and send us videos. Several Gillingham supporters, all with families enjoying the final game of the season, have informed us that this was the first time they have ever felt genuinely unsafe at a football match.

Port Vale supporters told us the behaviour was “disgusting” and “like many Vale fans I was appalled to see these scenes and hope those responsible are identified and banned by the club.”

Gills supporters enjoying the Port Vale match - Photo copyright of Colin Nash, Kent Pro Images

After the match, on Monday, 5th May 2025, the Gillingham FC Supporters' Club sent an email to Port Vale FC, two Port Vale safety officers, and the Sports Ground Safety department at Staffordshire Council. Unfortunately, we have not yet received a response from any of the recipients. We reached out again on 17th May, requesting confirmation that the email was received and enquiring about the actions being taken to address the issues we highlighted.

We have delayed publishing this letter to allow Port Vale the time to respond. We will provide updates to this story once we receive a response.

The letter sent to Port Vale, and the persons listed above, said:-

Dear Sir / Madam,

We, Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club, are writing to formally raise a complaint regarding the serious incidents witnessed at the conclusion of the recent match between Port Vale FC  and Gillingham FC. A number of fans, seated near the area separating the home and away fans, have emailed us regarding the troubling behaviour from a number of Port Vale supporters throughout the game. 

From the outset, there were repeated attempts by some home fans to provoke Gillingham supporters, including offensive gestures such as Nazi salutes and threatening behaviour. One individual in a blue t-shirt was particularly disruptive—although stewards briefly removed him, he was inexplicably allowed back into the stand and continued his behaviour.

Another Port Vale fan, identifiable by his shoulder-length grey hair, repeatedly approached the barriers separating the fans, shaking them violently and shouting abuse. Despite his aggression, stewards only asked him to return to his seat and failed to intervene more decisively.

The situation escalated dangerously at full-time. While Gillingham fans were applauding our players, a group of Port Vale fans climbed over the segregation area and entered the away end. They acted with clear intent to cause violence—throwing barriers, physically attacking supporters, and creating a scene of chaos and fear. One young Gillingham supporter was left in tears and had to be escorted away, while another Gillingham fan sustained injuries during the incident. One individual was seen throwing a heavy metal barrier at Gillingham fans—not just pushing it, but launching it through the air. Another fan had the metal fence thrown at him. These were not isolated actions but part of a coordinated surge from a group of home fans who appeared to attend the match intent on causing trouble.

A key concern was the failure in stewarding. At full-time, many stewards left their positions to attempt to prevent a pitch incursion, leaving the away section exposed. This lapse in judgement allowed Port Vale fans to breach the segregation and confront away supporters unchallenged. The fact that the stewards only returned once the violence had already erupted is deeply troubling. Several witnesses have also questioned why the disruptive fan in the pale blue jacket—who was involved in incidents throughout the match—was not removed much earlier, particularly given his apparent role in throwing the barrier.

While a small number of Gillingham fans may have reacted in the moment, it is clear that the violence was initiated by Port Vale supporters and that the situation was exacerbated by the inadequate stewarding and poor crowd management on the day.

Several Gillingham supporters, all with families enjoying the final game of the season, have informed us that this was the first time they have ever felt genuinely unsafe at a football match. It is unacceptable that visiting fans—many of them families with children—were put in this position. We believe Port Vale Football Club must urgently investigate what went wrong, take disciplinary action against the individuals involved, and review its stewarding protocols to ensure the safety of all fans in the future, especially when the away end is being used to also house “home” supporters.

We realise this is a small minority of Port Vale supporters and congratulate you on promotion to League One.

We have included links to three videos of the incidents, which we have been provided with, two from Port Vale supporters who told us the behaviour was “disgusting” and “like many Vale fans I was appalled to see these scenes and hope those responsible are identified and banned by the club.”

Video Links Provided

I am happy to provide further information if needed and sincerely hope you take this matter seriously.

Yours faithfully,

Neil Klee Chairman - Gillingham FC Supporters’ Club - GFCSC.co.uk

We will provide updates to this story once we receive a response.