Port Vale: Paintings boost Sproson statue fund
by Steve Shaw
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Artist Sid Kirkham, from Clayton, has donated three of his treasured paintings to Port Vale's Sproson Fund as it gears up for its latest fund-raising event.
The fund is edging closer to completing a 9ft bronze statue of the club's record appearance holder Roy Sproson, which will serve as a lasting tribute to the Valiants legend.
Sproson made 837 appearances for the club over three decades. He died in 1997.
Now the fund is holding a Legends' dinner at Vale Park on Friday which will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club winning the old Fourth Division title and the 20th anniversary of gaining promotion to Division Two, now the Coca-Cola Championship. Players from both triumphant sides will attend the event.
Sid, a Vale fan for more than 50 years, will have a trio of his paintings auctioned off on the night.
The works depict Sproson in action, a scene from Vale's 1954 FA Cup triumph over Sir Stanley Matthews's Blackpool and a view of the club's Old Recreation Ground from the 1940s.
Sid only took up the profession at the age of 60, but now does a roaring trade at Fenton-based gallery theartbay.
Sid, aged 65, said: "I am from the Roy Sproson era and there is nobody more popular than him and nobody played more games for Port Vale.
"He is the club's equivalent to Sir Stanley Matthews."
Tickets are still available for Friday, priced at £29.95.
For further information, call Liz Williams on (01782) 661484 or Pete Williams on (01782) 661484.
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