Back to Sundays ⭐

As the GDSFC returns after the winter break, we’re checking in with clubs across the divisions to see how the first half of the season has actually looked from the inside.

Vale AFC have come into Division Three quietly, got organised quickly, and let their football do the talking. Manager Alan Skelton reflects on the transition from the GCCL, the work done off the pitch, and why this group has settled so well week to week.

Name: Alan Skelton
Role: Manager
Club: Vale AFC

Coming into Division Three from the GCCL, what’s been the biggest difference you’ve noticed week to week?

Probably just the more organisation round sorting the fixture for the weekend. Picking the kits so they don’t clash, uploading the team pre game to comet etc. other than that it’s been fairly similar.

You’re top of the table and scoring freely — what’s helped the group settle so quickly into this league?

Hard work off the pitch from around March 2025. We had to restructure how we done things at the club as well as looking for more commitment out of the players currently here. Summer 2025 the main objective was to recruit and recruit well. More quality than quantity type of idea.

With more than one player among the goals, how important has it been to have different options rather than relying on one outlet?

We’ve always been fortune to have a rotation of players even when running on low numbers. One of our strong points has always been goals coming from players playing across the pitch.

Nim mentioned the work Vale are doing off the park — what’s been happening behind the scenes that’s helped things stay steady?

Better structure, more helping hands without allowing too many people to run things. I believe in the term ‘too many cooks in the kitchen causes problems’ so we’ve always maintained a low number of club runners.
Also creating a leadership team from the players which consists of the club captain and vice captain as well as 2 other players, the secretary and the first team coach (not manager)

As the season moves into the second half, what’s the main thing you want the group to keep doing well, regardless of results?

Keeping morale high. We’ve had some fantastic teams play at the Vale, such as the season we got to both cup finals in the GCCL however I’ve not see a group of boys quite like this in the 13 years I’ve had/ran the Vale

FRANK SIDELINE — FINAL WORD

Vale have always been one of those clubs that are straight to deal with — open, organised, and happy to talk football without dressing it up.

Frank Sideline will be hoping to catch up with them again before long. They’ve been worth watching in the past, and by the sound of it, they still are.