Micky Adams steps down
Micky Adams steps down: Port Vale have announced that manager Micky Adams has stepped down from his role as first-team manager.
According to the club, Adams “reluctantly made the decision to leave Vale Park following extensive discussions with chairman Norman Smurthwaite this morning.”
Micky Adams steps down – statement
“It is with great sadness that I have decided to leave Port Vale but I believe I am leaving the club in a stronger position than when I joined.
I hope that the club has only bright times ahead…
“I have spent five years in Burslem, punctuated by a spell at Sheffield United, and although the role of a football manager brings with it a roller-coaster of emotions, I will never forget my time at Vale and the many happy memories I will take away with me.
“This has not been an easy decision to make, which has been made even more difficult by the strong relationships I have forged during my time at the club. I would like to thank my immediate team, all of the staff at Vale Park and the many players I have worked with throughout my two spells. I have met some truly fantastic people.
“In addition, I would like to thank all of the Port Vale fans for their fantastic support. I hope that the club has only bright times ahead.
“I believe now is the time for another manager to take the helm and I would like to thank Norman Smurthwaite and his wife Lorraine for their fantastic support. I wish the club every success for this season and the future.”
Norman Smurthwaite statement:
“During his time at the club, Micky helped Port Vale to deliver a positive period in the club’s history, including promotion to League One, against a backdrop of instability.
I don’t think anyone should underestimate the contribution he has made, to both on and off-field matters…
“Although I was not involved with the club when Micky joined five years ago, I don’t think anyone should underestimate the contribution he has made, to both on and off-field matters. He has been a fantastic figurehead for Port Vale who has helped the club get positive national recognition once again.
“Throughout the time I have known him, he has led the club with great passion and professionalism and it’s with a heavy heart that I accept his resignation today.
“On behalf of everyone at Port Vale, I would like to thank him for his contribution and I wish him nothing but good fortune for the future.”
The Micky Adams era
A bright start (2009-2010)
- 4 June 2009: Micky Adams is named as Port Vale manager beating John Ward to the job. In an unusual move, Adams gets the job after both Ward and Adams were interviewed by club sponsors Harlequin Property.
- 15 June 2009: Former Brighton midfielder Tommy Fraser is Adams’ first Vale signing, joining on a free transfer.
- 26 Aug 2009: Vale defeat Sheff Wed in the league cup after beating neighbours Sheff Utd in the first round.
- 26 Sept 2009: After a bright start, Vale suffer three straight defeats prompting Adams to declare “We looked like a woman who had a big fur coat on but underneath she’s got no knickers on” and to put the entire squad on the transfer list.
- 26 April 2009: Vale reach the play-off places for the first time but they eventually miss out after two defeats in their last two games.
Topping the league then Blades-bound (2010-2011)
- 10 Aug 2010: Vale defeat Championship side QPR 3-1 in the league cup with new signing Justin Richards scoring twice.
- 7 Oct 2010: Five wins in five sees Adams win the League Two manager of the month award for September.
- 9 Dec 2010: Vale top the League Two table.
- 30 Dec 2010: However, Adams leaves the Vale with the club in second-place as he opts to join boyhood idols Sheffield United.
Return to Vale Park (2011-2012)
- 11 May 2011: After a disastrous spell at Sheffield United leads to his sacking, Adams agrees to return as Port Vale manager.
- 13 May 2011: On hearing the news, defender Gareth Owen reverses his decision to leave the club and signs a new two-year deal.
- 5 June 2011:Adams sparks controversy as he shores up the embattled board by agreeing to become a club director. It prompts criticism from fans who are opposed to the way the board of directors are running the club.
- 5 Nov 2011: Adams resigns as a director with sponsor Stan Meigh reportedly withdrawing his support of Adams’ directorship.
- 22 Nov 2011: Vale lose to non-league GrimsbyTown in the first round of the FA Cup.
- 24 Nov 2011: Adams reacts by signing three players on loan. Those of Jennison Myrie-Williams and Guy Madjo prove inspired with the pair scoring five times in their first three games.
- 3 Jan 2012:Adams accuses the board of a “u-turn” on promises of cash for players as he reveals his loan signings will not have their stay at the club extended due to the club’s precarious finances.
- 14 Feb 2012: A move for Chris Birchall is rejected by the Football League as the club is put under a transfer embargo for unpaid bills.
- 9 Mar 2012: The club enter administration.
Promotion against all the odds (2012-2013)
- May 2012: With Vale in turmoil and unable to offer new contracts, Anthony Griffith, Sean Rigg and Marc Richards leave while Adams himself is linked with a move to Gillingham.
- July 2012: However, Keith Ryder is named as the preferred bidder by the club’s administrators and backed by an initial cash injection Adams signs seven new players including Chris Neal, Jennison Myrie-Williams and David Artell. But there is a twist, Ryders team collapses and the players’ contracts are invalid. The club will have to start the season in administration, with a “temporary” first-team kit and as eighteenth favourites to go up. Against the odds, all the players, with the exception of David Artell, opt to remain with Adams and agree new deals with the club’s administrators.
- 12 Oct 2012: Adams is named manager of the month for September after guiding Vale to second place in the League Two table.
- 14 Nov 2012: New owners Paul Wildes and Norman Smurthwaite take the club out of administration.
- January 2013:Adams strengthens his side with several signings including striker Lee Hughes.
- 13 Mar 2013: However, there is a major blip as Vale slump to a defeat at Bristol Rovers, Ryan Burge breeches club discipline on Twitter and Adams is verbally abused by a section of supporters.
- 5 April 2013: Vale manage to turn their form around and a crowd of 10,978 witness a 7-1 demolition of Burton Albion.
- 27 Apr 2013: Promotion (against all the odds) is formally confirmed after the final game of the season – a 1-1 draw with Wycombe.
A solid League One opener (2013-2014)
- June 2013: Vale strengthen their side with the signings of Chris Lines and Carl Dickinson, amongst others.
- 22 Sept 2013: Rob Page takes temporary charge as Adams undergoes a hip operation.
- 31 Dec 2013: Vale finish the year in their highest league position since the year 2000.
- 26 Mar 2014: After a 5-0 loss to BristolCity and a clash with fans, Adams says he is “considering his future”
- 3 May 2014: After a 0-0 draw with Peterborough, Vale finish the season in a highly creditable ninth place.
A disastrous start (2014-2015)
- 9 June 2014: After a protracted contract saga, Adams finally signs a one-year rolling contract with the club
- July 2014: Vale fans are pleased as Adams announces a string of high-profile signings including midfielders Michael O’Connor, Michael Brown and Steve Jennings, winger Byron Moore and defender Ryan McGivern
- Aug 2014: The team starts brightly and are unbeaten after four games.
- Sep 2014: However, the team’s form falls apart and record six straight defeats. Following the loss to BristolCity, Adams admits he may have reached the end of his “shelf life” at the club.
- Sep 18 2014: Micky Adams steps down as manager
Overall record
First spell (2009-2010)
- Won: 35
- Drew: 27
- Lost: 19
- Win percentage: 43%
Second spell (2011-2014
- Won: 67
- Drew: 37
- Lost: 62
- Win percentage: 40%
Overall record
- Won: 102
- Drew: 64
- Lost: 81
- Win percentage: 41%
