Smurthwaite hits back at “AWOL” Nimely
Norman Smurthwaite says wantaway striker Alex Nimely “disappeared” because he wasn’t selected in a matchday squad.
Nimely has appeared just once for Vale since joining on a free transfer in November. Since then the striker has been disciplined twice for failing to turn up for training.
On Tuesday, Nimely’s father and agent David Tchuimeni told the Coventry Telegraph that the Valiants refused to play him and reneged on a number of agreements when he signed, including providing accommodation for him and his girlfriend and travelling expenses. Tchuimeni also claimed that the striker wanted to return to former club Coventry.
However, Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite told the Sentinel: “He had an opportunity to come back and did so and faced his colleagues. He met the captain who took him round so he could apologise to all his colleagues. They took him back in the dressing room and back in the squad.
“But because he wasn’t then in the squad for a game on the Saturday, he disappeared. He went AWOL and we have not seen him since. He is still a contracted player and his dad wants to cancel that. He is still being paid and also disciplined so there is an ongoing disciplinary process.”