Port Vale release five players
Five players including Ian Armstrong and Ryan Brown have been released by the Vale while a further three are offered new deals.
The released players are:
Ian Armstrong
The 23 year-old Liverpudlian certainly has the skill, but he has been dogged over question marks over his physical strength and poor injury record. A 2001 free-transfer signing from Liverpool.
Appearances 57+44
Goals 17
Ryan Brown
The locally born 20 year-old left-back forced his way into the first-team reckoning in 2002 and looked to have great potential. But a lack of form and a horrendous facial injury against QPR saw him lose his place to Craig James.
Appearances 39+5
Goals 0
Christian Hanson
No surprises with this one really as the former ‘Boro defender had little chance to impress, making just three starting appearances during a brief Vale career.
Appearances 3+2
Goals 0
Simon Eldershaw
Again, not a shock decision as the forward had found himself down the pecking order at Vale Park and the rise to fame of fellow youth team graduate striker Dave Hibbert immediately put question marks against Eldershaw’s future. Highlight of his Vale career was undoubtedly his first senior goal against Huddersfield.
Appearances 5+10
Goals 0
Levi Reid
Sadly, this decision was not particularly surprising either as despite a promising start, youth team graduate Reid seemed unable to take the next step up. Indeed,his performances in the midfield did look as if Reid had slipped backward in his development this season. His career highlight was undoubtedly a cracking goal against Kidderminster in the FA Cup.
Appearances 35+14
Goals 1
The out-of-contract players that have been offered new deals are popular defender Steve Rowland, winger Jeff Smith and trialist Mark Innes who has impressed since joining from Chesterfield. Vale are awaiting their decisions to the contracts offered.