Released Roberts joins Mansfield
Troubled midfielder Gary Roberts has been released by the Valiants and has joined Mansfield Town. Roberts was suspended by the Vale for the second time this season after turning up “unfit for training” and it was widely expected that his time at the club was at an end.
Roberts’ spell at Vale Park was rarely dull. He joined Vale in the summer of 2010 and was an immediate hit with the terraces. However, a fall-out with Jim Gannon in January saw him dropped from the side. Roberts then openly criticised Gannon’s regime before rejoining the team under caretaker Mark Grew.
His second season began in similar style to the first with five goals early in the campaign. But Roberts was then suspended for a “breach of club discipline” and when he returned he struggled to make the first eleven. When it was revealed that Roberts was suspended again, it was sadly inevitable he would leave the club. In total, Roberts made 48 starts for the club (plus nine appearances as sub) scoring seven goals.
Roberts clearly still has demons to deal with and while we wish him well at his new club, more importantly, we also hope that, away from the football field, he can beat his addictions and live a happier and more fulfilling life.