Lee Hughes leaves Port Vale
The official Port Vale website has reported that veteran striker Lee Hughes has left the club to join Forest Green Rovers.
Lee wants regular first team football. Oviously with the emergence of Jordan Hugill we don’t want to block that avenue to him…
Manager Micky Adams told the official website: “We had a chat and Lee wants regular first team football. Oviously with the emergence of Jordan Hugill we don’t want to block that avenue to him.
“The thing is he wants to play regular football and I can’t give him a regular place so he is joining Forest Green Rovers on an 18 month deal, which he is happy with.
“We wish him well and we thank him for his contribution since he has been here, not least of all his goals in the promotion winning season and certainly the big highlight for me was his three goals against Burton.
“He is a fantastic kid, he’s not what the perception of him is, he has been terrific and I wish him well. I have got great things to say about him.”
Lee Hughes' Vale career stats
Joined Port Vale: 8th January 2013
Left Port Vale: 3rd January 2014
Games: 20+14
Goals: 13
Bio:
With thirteen goals in 34 games, Hughes achieved exactly what he was bought for – securing promotion from League Two for the club. Hughes had previously been the subject of two failed Vale bids – one by John Rudge in 1997 and a loan move in November 2012 that collapsed due to late paperwork.
However, when he finally signed in January 2013, he scored on his first appearance and totalled ten goals in Vale’s promotion season. His appearances this season have been less frequent but he still managed three goals, including a last-minute equaliser against Bristol City. His final appearance for the club was in the 2-1 win over Notts County on Boxing Day.