{{Short description|English football chairman}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Bill Bratt | honorific_suffix = MBE | caption = | birth_name = William Amos Bratt | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1945}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | occupation = Insurance broker | module = {{Infobox officeholder |embed = yes |office = Chairman of Port Vale |term_start = 2003 |term_end = 2011 |predecessor = Bill Bell |successor = Mike Lloyd }}}} '''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, Port Vale, after the club faced dark times. Leading the 'Valiant 2001' supporter's trust, he gained control from the administrators and previous chairman Bill Bell in 2003. He then battled to steady the club's finances while 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.
==Early life== 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. He died in the 1960s of cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7126522.stm|title=Football chairman beaten as child |date=4 December 2007|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2 January 2009}}</ref>
He lived in numerous children's homes in the Penkhull area before becoming a miner at Chatterley Whitfield pit in 1959.<ref name="Local Heroes">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2009/06/16/bill_bratt_feature.shtml|title=Bill Bratt MBE|date=16 June 2009|work=BBC Stoke & Staffordshire|access-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> The charity he received from members of the church helped to instil Christian beliefs that he holds to this day (as of June 2009).<ref name="Local Heroes" /> From an early age he was a Port Vale supporter, something which would have a significant impact upon his life in the future.<ref name="Local Heroes" />
==Business life== 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 30 years.<ref name="Local Heroes" />
During this time, he also started a family - a son and a daughter.<ref name="Local Heroes" />
==Chairmanship of Port Vale==
===Early years=== In 2001, Bratt was involved with a consortium of fans and local businessmen under the banner "Valiant 2001", started by Charles Machin,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valiant2001.com/ |title=A GREAT PLAN FOR A GREAT CLUB - your questions answered|accessdate=6 January 2011 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20010723024141/http://www.valiant2001.com/ |archivedate = 23 July 2001}}</ref> which started moves towards attaining ownership of the club, including several offers that were rejected by chairman Bill Bell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valiant2001.com/html/press/15012002.htm|title=Valiant 2001 urges Bell to agree terms.|date=15 January 2002|accessdate=6 January 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021012070450/http://www.valiant2001.com/html/press/15012002.htm |archivedate=12 October 2002}}</ref> The club went into administration under Bell in December 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/2581571.stm|title=Vale go into administration|date=16 December 2002|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 December 2008}}</ref> 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'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valiant2001.com/html/press/07012002.htm|title='Stark future awaits the Vale?' Asks Valiant 2001.|date=7 January 2002|accessdate=6 January 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021209164511/http://www.valiant2001.com/html/press/07012002.htm |archivedate=9 December 2002}}</ref> Bratt had been a lifelong supporter of the club when he took the chairman position in 2003.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120721142458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/sport/portvale/2003/04/bill_bratt.shtml Bill Bratt named as chairman] bbc.co.uk</ref>
The Valiant2001 Charter, drafted by Charles Machin, listed ten points:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valiant2001.com/ |title=Valiant2001 Charter|accessdate=6 January 2011 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20011002155210/http://valiant2001.com/ |archivedate = 2 October 2001}}</ref> *One: Set aside a £1.5 million first-team budget *Two: Introduce supporter-friendly ticket pricing *Three: Complete the Lorne Street stand *Four: Sort out the pitch (install under-soil heating) *Five: Make savings of over £80,000 *Six: Make Port Vale a fan-friendly football club *Seven: Make Port Vale a community-friendly football club *Eight: Run the club openly and democratically (at least two supporter-directors on the board) *Nine: Improve the club's relations *Ten: Be open, honest, professional and accountable
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.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/27/robbie_williams_vale_stake_feature.shtml "Robbie buys into Vale"], BBC.co.uk, 27 February 2006</ref> Three months later Bratt also took up the role of Chief executive officer.<ref name="CE">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Bratt-relinquish-club-role/article-2592320-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Bill Bratt to relinquish chief executive role, but to remain as chairman|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=1 September 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=1 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="def">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Bratt-defends-record/article-2597716-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Chairman Bill Bratt defends record in duel role|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=2 September 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref>
Under Bratt's chairmanship, the club were relegated to the bottom tier of English league football after a dismal 2007–08 season. 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.
===Troubled relationship with the fans=== thumb|470px|right|Under Bratt, the club maintained their League One status, before a drop down the divisions which was only reversed when Micky Adams' appointment sparked a revival.
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vale-fans-stage-post-match-protest/article-735721-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914122216/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vale-fans-stage-post-match-protest/article-735721-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|title=Vale fans stage post-match protest|date=28 February 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=1 March 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Breaking-News-Shirt-sponsor-set-invest-1-2-million-Port-Vale/article-850640-detail/article.html|title=Breaking News: Shirt sponsor set to invest £1/2 million into Port Vale|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=27 March 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=27 March 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7968155.stm |title=Vale chairman happy to walk away|date=27 March 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090501092736/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7968155.stm| archive-date= 1 May 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
As chairman, he was sometimes criticized for the board's perceived unprofessional practices. Critics cited the phone vote that was arranged to sack Sinnott and how experienced midfielder Dave Brammer was released- informing him via voicemail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Brammer-slams-voicemail-farewell/article-990120-detail/article.html?cacheBust=36O04X7mioDw&authid=MFqvhfxM2f9i75QTVBHapPI5MdQr9k7KUpy3V2ZscprBbuv81242300206802&success=true#community|title=Port Vale: Brammer slams his voicemail farewell|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=14 May 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=14 May 2009}}</ref> Sinnott later took the club to court for breach of contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Axed-Vale-boss-club-court/article-624271-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Axed Vale boss to take club to court|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=19 January 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=28 September 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120071225/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Axed-Vale-boss-club-court/article-624271-detail/article.html|archivedate=20 January 2009}}</ref> The appointment of Dean Glover was also unpopular with fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7957783.stm|title= I am a dead man walking - Glover|date=22 March 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090326042305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7957783.stm| archive-date= 26 March 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Protests formed by fans against Glover and the board gave Bratt little option than to sack Glover,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8019189.stm|title=Boss Glover escorted from protest|date=26 April 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=26 April 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090429201659/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8019189.stm| archive-date= 29 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> with season ticket sales seriously affected by disillusioned supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-refuses-panic-slow-season-ticket-sales/article-906060-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912104202/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-refuses-panic-slow-season-ticket-sales/article-906060-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|title=Port Vale: Bratt refuses to panic over slow season-ticket sales|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=16 April 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=20 April 2009}}</ref> With a serious dent into his reputation he built as a player at the club, Glover left the club completely,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8061563.stm|title=Glover ends Port Vale love affair |date=21 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 May 2009}}</ref> However, Bratt and the board stayed in place despite growing resentment from some corners.
Bratt was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours for services to sport.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59090 |date=13 June 2009 |page=14 |supp=y }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Chairman-Bratt-named-MBE/article-1074037-detail/article.html#StartComments|title=Port Vale: Chairman Bratt named MBE|date=13 June 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=13 June 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-returns-work-operation/article-1195462-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Bratt returns to work after operation|date=25 July 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=25 July 2009}}</ref> Despite the club's recent troubles on the pitch, Bratt was delighted with the overwhelming support he received from the fans during his recovery: "I have had lots of cards, text messages and phone calls, so I'd like to thank everyone for that."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8171749.stm|title=Vale chairman Bratt thanks fans |date=28 July 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2009}}</ref>
In July 2009, Bratt spoke out to publicly deny rumours spread on Vale fan sites, specifically rumours of sponsorship deals with Basement Jaxx and Maplin Electronics. Bratt said the rumours were "inaccurate, spurious and damaging", claiming the speculation could damage genuine and confidential negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Valiants-talks-regeneration-expert/article-1209203-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Valiants in talks with regeneration expert|last=Bratt|first=Bill|date=30 July 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref> The next month he was able to say "we got the right man" in appointing Micky Adams, following a 2–1 win over Sheffield United in the League Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Chairman-Bratt-moon-new-boss/article-1255501-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Chairman Bratt 'over the moon' with new boss|date=15 August 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> There also came statements that shirt sponsors Harlequin Property would invest £500,000 into the club, though this never materialized. Reports that Andy Townsend would be appointed as a football advisor also surfaced,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8314703.stm|title=Townsend set for Port Vale role|date=19 October 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010}}</ref> but never transpired.
Bratt said he planned to stand down at the end of the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-ready-quit-Vale/article-1482620-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Bratt ready to quit Vale|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=5 November 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=5 November 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091108122317/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-ready-quit-Vale/article-1482620-detail/article.html| archivedate= 8 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Bratt-ready-quit-chief-executive-role/article-1615316-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Bratt ready to quit chief executive role|date=17 December 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=17 December 2009}}</ref> However, when investor Mike Newton was willing to invest £400,000 in the club and take the chair of the board at the season's end,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8875899.stm|title=Potential investor Mike Newton outlines Port Vale aims|date=2 August 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100805020216/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8875899.stm| archive-date= 5 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Bratt claimed to be unhappy with Newton's policy of negotiating in public (who had by then upped his offer to £500,000),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8910840.stm|title=Mike Newton increase Port Vale takeover offer|date=13 August 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100818192625/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8910840.stm| archive-date= 18 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8881408.stm|title=Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt unhappy with Mike Newton|date=3 August 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806201332/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8881408.stm|archive-date=6 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> and so Bratt remained chairman for the 2010–11 season. Newton claimed that his "efforts to become chairman and to invest in the club have been hampered and made almost impossible" by Bratt and his board,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Newton-releases-open-letter-fans/article-2519060-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Mike Newton releases open letter to fans|date=12 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=12 August 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100818185828/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Newton-releases-open-letter-fans/article-2519060-detail/article.html| archivedate= 18 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and said that the reasons giving to reject his investment were "one long round of excuses".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Newton-hits-Vale-board/article-2557530-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Newton hits back at Vale board|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=23 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=30 August 2010}}</ref> Bratt also denied claims by Newton that the club were heading for administration under his leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Bratt-denies-administration-claims/article-2544805-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Bill Bratt denies Mike Newton's administration claims|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=19 August 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=30 August 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100824050103/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Bratt-denies-administration-claims/article-2544805-detail/article.html| archivedate= 24 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> In September 2010 Bratt gave up his role as Chief Executive, but remained as chairman,<ref name="CE" /> denying that this decision was influenced by the recent Newton takeover bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8960312.stm|title=Port Vale chief executive Bill Bratt steps down|date=1 September 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100904080629/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8960312.stm| archive-date= 4 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> By this time the club's debts were estimated at £2m, a level described by Bratt as "manageable".<ref name="def" />
In September 2010, Bratt owned £44,120 of the club's £1.132m shares, with the nine-man board's total share value at £359,400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Newton-considers-Vale/article-2617636-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Mike Newton could make individual offers for directors shares|last=Owen|first=Jon|author2=Michael Baggaley|date=8 September 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=8 September 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100912013425/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Newton-considers-Vale/article-2617636-detail/article.html| archivedate= 12 September 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> In December 2010 local businessman and Water World owner Mo Chaudry went public with his investment proposal for the club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9253655.stm|title=Mo Chaudry may consider Port Vale investment|date=3 December 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 December 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101209073613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9253655.stm| archive-date= 9 December 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> However, Bratt said it was the first he had heard of the proposal, despite Chandry's legal advisor's claims they had spoken and that "it was made clear to me the club wasn't interested in selling to Mo Chaudry."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Media-informed-investment-bid-says-Bratt/article-2976542-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Media informed us of investment bid, says Bratt|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=7 December 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=7 December 2010}}</ref> The board swiftly and unanimously rejected the £1.3 million proposal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-reject-Chaudry-s-163-1-3-million-bid/article-2996522-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale reject Chaudry's £1.3 million bid|date=11 December 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=11 December 2010}}</ref> Following another anti-board protest from Vale supporters and the resignation of director Mike Thompstone following a vote of no confidence at a supporter shareholder meeting, Bratt and his team decided to re-examine the Chaudry bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9284523.stm|title=Port Vale board will meet Mo Chaudry|date=14 December 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale/article-3001528-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Vale U-turn seems unlikely to lead to Chaudry deal|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=14 December 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=14 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale/article-3001510-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Mo keeps counsel as board are cast as panto villains|last=Tideswell|first=Martin|date=14 December 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=14 December 2010}}</ref> In January 2011, another group of prospective investors, this time a group of Texas businessmen, announced they had pulled out of talks with Bratt's board.<ref name="texas">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-American-consortium-pull-takeover-talks/article-3090825-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: American consortium pull out of takeover talks|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=12 January 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref> The group said: "the deal is completely dead because the directors don't want to sell the club... we believe they [the Vale] are run by the wrong people... [and] we didn't get anything apart from a cup of tea before watching a game."<ref name="texas" /> Fans began a protest movement called "Black and Gold Until it's Sold" - inspired by Manchester United's anti-Glazer scarf protest - in which fans wear black and gold scarves to symbolize their opposition to Bratt and the board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Gannon-urges-fans-beware-hurting-promotion-push/article-3152092-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Gannon urges fans to beware of hurting promotion push|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=27 January 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref> Despite this Chaudry's takeover deadline passed without comment from the Vale board,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Angry-Mo-slams-board-ignore-bid-deadline/article-3322652-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Angry Mo slams board after they ignore his bid deadline|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=12 March 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref> though another director, Paul Humphreys, resigned his position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/VALE-director-resigns/article-3324434-detail/article.html|title=VALE director resigns|date=12 March 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref> After the board shunned a further joint offer by Chaudry and Mark Sims, Sims stated that he was "thoroughly disillusioned with the current board and, as a lifelong fan, I'm devastated by this season's promotion failure and the demise of our club over the past decade."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-investor-angered-board-snub/article-3503316-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Would-be investor angered by board snub|date=29 April 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=29 April 2011}}</ref>
After an EGM was called on 1 June 2011, Bratt and his four fellow directors faced a vote to remove them.<ref name="broxap">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Major-shareholder-ready-vote-board-Chaudry-agrees-buy-163-50-000-stake-club/article-3562541-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Major shareholder ready to vote against board if Chaudry agrees to buy his £50,000 stake in club|accessdate=17 May 2011|date=17 May 2011|author=Steve Shaw|work=The Sentinel}}</ref> With major shareholders Robbie Williams and Broxap owner Robert Lee throwing their support behind Chaudry, few believed Bratt could survive the EGM.<ref name="brink">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Williams-s-decision-leaves-board-brink/article-3606108-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Williams's decision leaves board on the brink|accessdate=28 May 2011|date=28 May 2011|work=The Sentinel}}</ref> Despite a vote of no confidence in the board and directors Peter Jackson and Stan Meigh being voted out, Bratt and two other directors survived their individual votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9502059.stm|title=Shareholders vote "no confidence" in Port Vale board |date=1 June 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> This was thanks to a last-minute decision by Lee to sell to an unnamed director and not Chaudry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-EGM-Meeting-lived-billing-extraordinary/article-3621450-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale EGM: Meeting lived up to its billing... it was extraordinary|date=2 June 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-EGM-Lee-defends-Broxap-s-11th-hour-U-turn/article-3621452-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale EGM: Lee defends Broxap's 11th-hour U-turn|date=2 June 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref> Despite this, Bratt resigned as chairman on 29 July 2011,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Bratt-quits-chairman/story-13031346-detail/story.html|title=Port Vale: Bill Bratt quits as chairman|date=29 July 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=29 July 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001102617/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Bratt-quits-chairman/story-13031346-detail/story.html|archivedate=1 October 2012}}</ref> citing his wish to unite the fans and to leave behind the "hate" levelled at him in "the last 12 months" by his detractors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9551065.stm|title=Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt resigns after eight years |date=29 July 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=29 July 2011}}</ref> He remained a director, and he was a member of the board in September 2011, when it was announced that sports construction firm Blue Sky International were planning to plough £5 million into the club in twelve months, as well as a further £2.5 million by 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14906932|title=Port Vale receive £5m Blue Sky International investment|date=13 September 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref> This sum would secure the long-term future of the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2449924,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805105448/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2449924,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Port Vale Welcomes Blue Sky Investment |date=13 September 2011 |work=port-vale.co.uk |accessdate=13 September 2011 }}</ref> He resigned as a director in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15201998|title=Chief executive Perry Deakin becomes Port Vale director|date=6 October 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref> Two months later, the deal was shown to have had no substantive basis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Investment deal is dead, says Blue Sky chief executive|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Investment-deal-dead-says-Blue-Sky/story-14080264-detail/story.html|accessdate=8 December 2011|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=8 December 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115140149/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Investment-deal-dead-says-Blue-Sky/story-14080264-detail/story.html|archivedate=15 January 2012}}</ref> He later became chairman of minor non-League side Stone Town.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bratt, Bill}} Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:People from Penkhull Category:English football chairmen and investors Category:Port Vale F.C. directors and chairmen Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:English Christians