Which players have been linked with Port Vale?
With no movement in the transfer market possible until Keith Ryder’s takeover has been formally completed, it is little wonder that a number of players have been linked with a move to Vale Park. Here’s OVF’s round-up of who’s been tipped to move to Burslem and we’d stress – these are rumours, not hard facts…
Between the sticks:
Rumours have been circulated throughout the closed season that released Shrewsbury goalkeeper Ben Smith will be joining Vale as back-up to Stuart Tomlinson.
In defence:
Liam Chilvers has been strongly tipped to move to Vale Park after his release by Notts County. The 30 year-old centre-half was strongly tipped to make the move in January but Vale’s financial crisis saw him return to Meadow Lane after his loan expired. The defender told the Sentinel newspaper that if Vale made a move then “it would be something I would consider.” However, one possible factor against this move happening is that Vale are well-stocked in central defence already.
Versatile Crawley defender/midfielder Pablo Mills is also available on a free transfer and is considered by some to be a good addition to the Vale squad.
In midfield:
One of the most prominent names to be linked with Vale is that of Shrewsbury Town winger Lionel Ainsworth. The 24 year-old was released in the summer and is seen by many as an ideal replacement for the departed Sean Rigg. Ainsworth has been rumoured to have been shown around Vale Park already and some claim the move is a done deal. We’ll have to wait and see…
Another right-winger to be linked to the club is former loanee Jennison Myrie-Williams who enjoyed a successful spell on loan and has been released by Stevenage.
And finally, released Crewe midfielder Lee Bell has been linked with a move to Vale Park. Linked with the Valiants in the past, Bell could be seen as a replacement for Anthony Griffith in the Vale engine-room.
Upfront:
Liam Dickinson was released by Southend United after a dispute over wages and the striker’s desire to move closer to his Manchester-based family. Regularly linked with the Valiants over the years and generally well regarded by Vale fans, could the 26 year-old be Micky Adams’ replacement for the departed Marc Richards?
Or could that replacement come from somewhere closer to home? Other names to be linked with a Vale move include Karl Hawley, after the 30 year-old striker was released by Notts County.
Meanwhile, a less well-known name coming to Vale Park could be Histon hot shot Dan Holman. The forward netted 29 times in the Blue Square Bet North last season. Histon signed the youngster from Long Buckby, where he scored 60 goals in 77 appearances, and he has reportedly been shown around Vale Park. Could he be earmarked for a back-up striker’s role for the Valiants?
Somewhat unlikely:
Some of the more unlikely players to be linked with moves to Vale include: Emile Heskey, Darius Vassell, James Beattie, Izale McLeod and Enoch Balotelli (younger brother of Mario). We’d be very surprised at OVF Towers if any of these big-name moves came to fruition.
Editorial note: the following names have been taken from other websites, newspapers and forum chatter. We would stress that they are rumours and none of these players have been officially linked to a move to Port Vale.