Don’t be slow to praise Vale’s quick show
Rob Fielding says that the club deserve a rare but deserved spot of praise for their actions following the “Loftgate” training ground affair.
Rob Fielding writes…
If I believe the club has done the right rather than the wrong thing, I’m happy to say so…
Some people probably think that opinion pieces on supporters’ websites function purely as a blunt instrument to moan at their club over everything and anything. Well, those people may be surprised by what I’m about to say…
I believe in constructive and fair criticism and if I believe the club has done the right rather than the wrong thing, I’m happy to say so.
So, with that in mind, I think the Valiants deserve praise for their swift and decisive action over “Loftgate” – aka the training ground “altercation” between Doug Loft and (allegedly) Dan Jones.
Criticism of footballers sometimes centres on the belief that they operate with rules that simply wouldn’t apply in any other workplace. Well, clearly a physical assault on a colleague would bring “severe” punishment in most jobs and whoever caused such a severe head injury to Doug Loft that he has been ruled out of action for several weeks deserves the harshest possible action.
Rather then rush out either a statement or even judgement on the whole affair, it was right to take the weekend to consider what to do next…
On the other hand, I think the club were right not to captilate in the wake of public pressure for a swift response. Rather then rush out either a statement or even judgement on the whole affair, it was right to take the weekend to consider what to do next. Yes, sometimes, despite press and fans wanting more information, an initial “no comment” is the right response until things can be better considered.
But once it had considered the incident, it looks to me like the club has taken pretty decisive and welcome action – obviously with the caveat that the player concerned was given a fair hearing. I certainly haven’t heard any Vale fan that disagrees with the club’s decision.
So, whilst the incident itself hasn’t particularly enhanced Port Vale’s reputation, at least the club’s professional and swift response should bring them some overdue praise.