Owner: Embargo in place all season

Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite has spoken to the Sentinel about the club’s transfer embargo and told them that it has been in place since the start of the season.

“Technically the club has been embargoed since we signed Carl Dickinson back in the summer. Since then the turnover has gone down and we are about 30 per cent below budget…

Last week, manager Micky Adams said he was unaware of the transfer embargo when he tried to add a loan goalkeeper to the squad. Adams commented: “Apparently we have a transfer embargo on us at this moment in time. I don’t know why.” Club secretary Bill Lodey confirmed that an embargo was in place but said that he expected it to be lifted soon.

However, Smurthwaite said that Lodey’s comments were “incorrect” and that the embargo is likely to remain in place until the end of the season..

The Vale owner said: “Technically the club has been embargoed since we signed Carl Dickinson back in the summer. Since then the turnover has gone down and we are about 30 per cent below budget for ticket sales and revenue coming into the club.”

Smurthwaite said that the signing of Florent Cuvelier was made possible by Lee Hughes’ departure while the wages of Billy Knott and Jack Grimmer have been met by their parent clubs.

He confirmed that unless Sam Johnson is injured, the club are unlikely to be allowed to add an additional goalkeeper commenting:  “It is far from ideal.

“The club said we hoped to resolve the situation in the next few days, but unfortunately that is incorrect. There is no remedy. In the event that Sam gets hurt, we could call in another keeper after the game. Unfortunately this is what you have when your budget is somewhat greater than your actual income.

“Our squad is what it is and we can’t bring anyone in. The Football League’s view is we would have to play an outfield player in the event of Sam getting injured during the game.”