End of an Era as Gavin Yorke Leaves Port Vale

Gavin Yorke, better known to generations of Port Vale supporters as ‘Boomer’, has made the difficult decision to call it a day in his role as the popular club mascot.

Gav, who has taken on the role of Boomer for almost two decades, has had to take extended leave from the role after suffering health problems in 2014 and again in 2018.

Head of Scheme at the Port Vale Foundation, Tom Sherratt, paid tribute to the club stalwart. He said: “Gavin has been a fantastic servant for the club and he understands the values and the importance of what it means to be the club’s mascot. The positivity and love he has for Port Vale is infectious and his ability to put smiles on faces is incredible and I’m sure all fans will agree when we say he is going to be an incredibly tough act to follow. Back in 2018, even after having suffered serious health problems, he took it upon himself to put the club first and to make sure the children that were in the stadium always got a glimpse of Boomer. We will miss working with Gav and he will always be a Vale legend.”

Port Vale Chair and co-owner Carol Shanahan caught up with Gavin at the 2020/21 home kit launch and presented him with his very own shirt with ‘Boomer 1’ printed on the back.

Everyone at Port Vale Football Club would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Gavin for his years of service and would like to remind him that he can always expect a warm welcome at Vale Park.