"He never lost [the passion]. He had so many tales to tell. He didn't like the modern diving and said [today's players] were 'so soft'. Baker said he was a Chelsea season-ticket holder and would be watching the game on 4 April with his cousin, at Stamford Bridge."
"I've seen Chelsea at Wembley so many times on this one occasion, I would love Vale to go through. I would love to see Vale at Wembley and somehow manage to blag a ticket for that if it happens, in his [my grandad's] honour, because he was a terrific character."
"Briscoe made more than 300 appearances for the Stoke-on-Trent side between 1918 and 1931. He was also the club's joint-top goal scorer during the 1923-24 season. Baker said legendary Stoke-on-Trent footballer Sir Stanley Matthews once described Briscoe as his 'hero'."
Paul Baker, grandson of Port Vale legend Billy Briscoe, finds himself in an unusual position as a Chelsea season-ticket holder watching his grandfather's former club face Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Briscoe made over 300 appearances for Port Vale between 1918 and 1931 and was the club's joint-top goal scorer in 1923-24. Baker fondly recalls his grandfather's passion for the Vale, describing him as an absolute character who never lost his enthusiasm for the club. Remarkably, Briscoe played in the last Chelsea-Port Vale match in 1928, which ended 3-3. Baker expressed his desire to see Vale reach Wembley and attend in his grandfather's honor, even considering purchasing a half-and-half scarf for the upcoming match at Stamford Bridge.
Read at www.bbc.com
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