What a difference a year makes…
OVF editor Rob Fielding reflects on the differences between December 2012 and December 2011 and concludes that Vale fans should “thank their lucky stars” that things have changed for the better.
Rob Fielding writes…
In December 2011 Vale were lurching from one crisis to another…
On Saturday, Port Vale fans will be able to take advantage of a positive initiative by the club’s new owners and enjoy Vale’s home game against AFC Wimbledon for just a tenner. Not only that, but fans can enjoy seeing one of Europe’s most prolific strikers in action and at the end of the game, the Valiants stand a decent chance of remaining in the automatic promotion slots.
Compare that with the situation last year…
In December 2011 Vale were lurching from one crisis to another. The vastly unpopular “MOLD” board were secretly negotiating the re-mortgaging of Vale Park (breaking the terms of the council loan in the process) while CEO Perry Deakin was to announce his resignation on Christmas Eve. Days later, Peter Miller was ousted as Chairman as the board’s misdeeds continued to dominate the front pages of the Sentinel newspaper.
Things were not that rosy on the pitch either. In the loan window, Vale had recruited Liam Chilvers, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Guy Madjo and the side’s results had picked up. But all three were to return to their parent clubs in the New Year with the club unable to pay their wages.
Just compare that farcical situation with the present Vale set-up!
Yes, things aren’t perfect both on and off the pitch, but things are definitely improving for the better.
Micky Adams still hasn’t convinced everyone of his worth yet, but I personally think he’s done an amazing job in trying circumstances…
It’s early days for the new owners, but initiatives like Saturday’s reduced ticket offer strongly suggests that they have the right approach in trying to attract lapsed fans back to the club.
Micky Adams still hasn’t convinced everyone of his worth yet, but I personally think he’s done an amazing job in trying circumstances. And after months of transfer restrictions, the admirable Adams will now have the option of dipping into January’s transfer market to supplement his high-flying side.
Yes, we’ve had a dip in form in recent weeks, but when you are sitting in the stand, watching a debt-free club with a decent chance of automatic promotion, thank your lucky stars and think how different things could have been…