Bill Bratt

William Amos Bratt MBE (born 1945) is an English insurance broker and former football club chairman who was the chair of Port Vale from 2003 to 2011.

After decades working in the insurance industry, Bratt turned his attention to his hometown club Port Vale, after the club were facing dark times.

He lived in numerous children's homes in the Penkhull area, before becoming a miner at Chatterley Whitfield pit in 1959.

He died in the 1960s of cancer.

Leading the 'Valiant 2001' supporter's trust, he gained control from the administrators and previous chairman Bill Bell in 2003.

He then faced a constant battle to steady the club's finances whilst also advancing through the leagues.

Though the team fared poorly on the pitch throughout his reign, falling to the bottom tier of the Football League, he managed to keep the club afloat financially, though still the club continued to lose money.

He left the club after fan protests against his chairmanship.

Bratt's stepfather was a World War II veteran who was taken by the Japanese as a prisoner of war.

After the war his father appeared to be mentally scarred from his time in POW camps and regularly beat him, he apologised to his son whilst on his deathbed.

In 2001, Bratt was involved with a consortium of fans and local businessmen under the banner "Valiant 2001", started by Charles Machin, which started moves towards attaining ownership of the club, including several offers that were rejected by chairman Bill Bell.

Valiant 2001 eventually secured control of the club after a long and drawn-out process as the 2002–03 season neared its close.

Their takeover bid beat that of a 'mystery bidder'.

The Valiant2001 Charter, drafted by Charles Machin, listed ten points:

Bratt passionately denied these accusations, seemingly angered by the suggestion and claimed that if he were to comply with the protesters demands and remove himself and the rest of the V-2001 directors from the Board, then the club would fold as banks and creditors would seek their money.

He also reiterated his prior statements by stating that he would be prepared to leave his position if the right offer were to be made.

As chairman he was sometimes criticized for the perceived unprofessional practices of the board.

Critics citing the phone vote that was arranged to sack Sinnott and the way in which experienced midfielder Dave Brammer was released- informing him via voicemail.

Sinnott later took the club to court for breach of contract.

The appointment of Dean Glover was also unpopular with fans.

Protests formed by fans against Glover and the board gave Bratt little option than to sack Glover, with season ticket sales seriously affected by disillusioned supporters.

With a serious dent into his reputation he built as a player at the club, Glover left the club completely, However, Bratt and the board stayed in place despite growing resentment from some corners.

The club went into administration under Bell in December 2002.

Bratt had been a lifelong supporter of the club when he took the chairman position in 2003.

Bratt and his board of directors appointed five managers throughout their reign; Martin Foyle in 2004, Lee Sinnott in 2007, Dean Glover in 2008, Micky Adams in 2009, Jim Gannon in 2011, and Adams again in 2011.

Bratt put a large portion of the club's shares up for sale in February 2006.

Robbie Williams bought £240,000 worth of the £250,000 worth of available shares in the club.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts, the club's sponsors, at the same time bought the remainder for £10,000.

Three months later Bratt also took up the role of Chief executive officer.

Under Bratt's chairmanship, the club were relegated to the bottom tier of English league football after a dismal 2007–08 season.

The charity he received from members of the church helped to instil Christian beliefs that he holds to this day (as of June 2009).

From an early age he was a Port Vale supporter, something which would have a significant impact upon his life in the future.

Bratt worked in several coal-mines, but was forced to retire after a motorcycle accident severely damaged his left hand; he is now without a left thumb.

He then tried several jobs, including selling encyclopaedias.

However, Bratt built up his business acumen and earned a healthy income as an insurance broker over a 30-year period.

During this time he also started a family - a son and a daughter.

In February 2009, with the club languishing near the bottom of the Football League, closer to relegation than the play-offs, many Vale fans organized protests against manager Glover and the board, including Bratt.

With talks of fresh investment from shirt sponsors Harlequin Property came rumours on the internet that the company were planning to demolish Vale Park and build a supermarket, paying off Bratt to ensure his compliance.

Bratt was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours for services to sport.

In the summer of 2009 he collapsed and was paralysed from the waist down, he made a full recovery though after undergoing surgery at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.