Pope admits his Vale future is in doubt
It is sad but perhaps not unsurprising that Tom Pope has told the Sentinel that he may have to move elsewhere if he is offered a substantial paycut by the Valiants.
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has commented that the club would be unable to meet Pope’s current wage demands, despite the striker hitting 66 goals and being player of the year for the last two campaigns.
Pope told the Sentinel: “I am 29 and at this stage of my career I can’t afford to be taking 45 or 50 per cent pay cuts.
I am 29 and at this stage of my career I can’t afford to be taking 45 or 50 per cent pay cuts…
“But I have a little girl and a family to look after and, at my age, I can’t afford to take pay cuts like that.
“We are not talking life changing money that I have been on. Just because I might be a top earner at the club people think I am on a lot of money.
“If the club can’t budge, and nothing happens regarding the club’s situation between now and the end of the season, then I think I will have a difficult decision on my hands.”