There have been mistakes but I’ll build a better club
Norman Smurthwaite has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke about his reign as Port Vale owner. Smurthwaite has admitted that there have been problems but he intends to “build” a better club during his time in charge.
Smurthwaite told the radio station: “If I’ve known in September last year what I’d be facing on my own in May I’d have never bought the club.”
He conceded that running the club was a “completely different business” that “took some getting used to.”
Smurthwaite said he was “very sorry” for delays with the special edition shirt, but he intends to consolidate on the good work that has been done as he intends to “build and take us to places where the club hasn’t seen for many years.”
He also confirmed that he “didn’t know” how long he’ll be at Port Vale but added that “when I do leave it will be in much better place than when I bought it.”
Smurthwaite also admitted that he may need to “reign himself in a bit” after some recent “spats” on social networking site Twitter but he is “not in the business of quitting.”
He added: “It is difficult being on my own especially with no football experience” and that does mean that he is open to another person coming in – “a serious investor who has got football knowledge.”
Listen to a clip of the interview with Norman Smurthwaite through this link:
– Radio Stoke interview
You can listen to the full interview (1 hour and 30 minutes in) here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01k2sj1