Dippy's one of the good guys. Hard as ****, gobby and belligerent. I even once had a conversation with him about the differences between metric and imperial measurements as he was waiting to take a throw-in while some fanny was being treated for an anal strain.
Vale won their first-ever title (at Kynoch Park, the rascals) in 2003. At Harlot Park a couple of weeks later, the Maroons beat them in the League Cup final. Andy Shearer had the game of his life in goal. At the end, the Vale players came across to the covered terrace to thank their fans for a memorable season's support, and Dippy, near to tears, lobbed his boots into the crowd. I comfortably caught one and handed it to a wee Vale fan. Dippy appreciated the gesture, and gave me a thumbs-up. Good lad.
This sporting exchange didn't, however, dissuade the Valley Boys from roaring a most unsporting chant of "DARREN STILL, YOU'RE A W@NKER" as our indefatigable skipper lifted the trophy.