VALE of Lune fans were in mourning this week as one of the brightest prospects they've ever had left the club.

Prop Alan Paver, 21, from Yorkshire Street in Morecambe, had already begun to the delight the fans but was signed by National League Division Two club Plymouth Albion this week.

Plymouth manager Graham Dawe, a former England rugby union hero, made three trips in his efforts to sign the youngster. Paver had been with the Vale since he was in the under 12s and had been carefully nutured by the club. At least one club insider reckons he could be a future England international.

The 16-stone player attended Heysham High School and worked as a bouncer in Lancaster.

Aldwinians 15 Vale 20

VALE kicked off the season with a deserved win. They built up a strong lead by half time that newly promoted Aldwinians just couldn't surmount in the second. Ian Pemberton was named man of the match.

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