Vale’s playing budget to be reduced?
In a move that could have repercussions for 14 out of contract players and manager Micky Adams, it’s been claimed that Vale’s playing budget will be much reduced next season.
He also said, as a result of poor gate receipts, we will see a slashed playing budget next year…Supporters Club chairman Ally Simcock made the claims during Thursday night’s Port Vale Supporters Club meeting. Simcock was repeating a conversation that she had had with chairman Norman Smurthwaite during the match against Carlisle.
Simcock said: “Norman came across to me and he raised a few concerns. He said unless gates show great improvement between now and the end of the season, we will be struggling financially next year.
“Season tickets will remain at the same price but matchday tickets will be increased.
“He also said, as a result of poor gate receipts, we will see a slashed playing budget next year. The development squad will no longer exist and we will see many more young players in the team.
“He showed me the receipts for Saturday’s game and they were £15,000.”
The Sentinel reported that chairman Norman Smurthwaite was unavailable to comment on the claims.
In December, Smurthwaite said that the club needed an average attendance of 7,900 to meet this season’s budget. At this time, the average gate stands at 6,527 just under 1,400 below the target.
If the budget is reduced it would cast doubt on the Vale futures of some of the club’s more high-profile stars…
If the budget is reduced it would cast doubt on the Vale futures of some of the club’s more high-profile stars who are out of contract in the summer. Those players include goalkeeper Chris Neal, defender Carl Dickinson, midfielders Chris Lines and Doug Loft and winger Jennison Myrie-Williams.
It will also increase speculation about whether manager Micky Adams will stay at the club. Adams is set to meet Smurthwaite for talks at the end of the month once the Chairman has provided the manager with a playing budget. A massively reduced budget may persuade Adams to consider his options. The Vale manager is highly regarded in the lower leagues after last season’s promotion and a solid first season back in League One.
Futures on the line?
Players who are out of contract at the end of the season include: Chris Neal, Carl Dickinson, Doug Loft, Chris Lines, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Anthony Griffith, Chris Birchall, Chris Shuker, Liam Chilvers, Joe Davis, Ryan Lloyd, Rob Taylor, Louis Dodds and Richard Duffy.