The Spitfire could provide a financial windfall for Vale
|
Port Vale could be set to profit by changing their name in honour of Stoke-born Spitfire plane designer Reginald Mitchell.
Vale chairman Bill Bratt is in talks with American billionaire Sidney Frank, who is a great admirer of Mitchell.
In return for a financial injection, the Stoke club would be renamed the Port Vale Spitfires and their ground called the Reginald Mitchell Stadium.
"Discussions have just begun, but we're hoping to strike a deal," Bratt said.
 |
What better way to commemorate one of Stoke's most famous sons than naming the stadium after him?
|
One of the world's wealthiest men, 85-year-old Frank believes Mitchell should be honoured for designing the Spitfire.
Bratt learned of Frank's admiration for Mitchell via a recent newspaper article, in which he said he was prepared to pay for a statue of the Stoke-born inventor in London.
He contacted Frank with the proposal but stresses discussions with Frank are still in the early stages - and no figures have yet been mentioned.
Bratt said: "He was saying how he would like to do pay for a statue in London to mark his memory.
"But any such statue should be in his home town here in Stoke, so I got in touch with Mr Frank through his agent.
"What better way to commemorate one of Stoke's most famous sons than naming the stadium after him?
"He was born within a couple of miles of Vale Park - and having a statue here to commemorate him would serve as a fitting tribute to his memory.
"I would also like a museum in tribute to the Spitfire and Reginald Mitchell, and that could be visited throughout the week and not just on match-days."
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~13~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
