Tom Pope wants respect and contract negotiations
Striker Tom Pope says he wonders if he is “respected” by Port Vale after the club’s contract offer was “even lower than I was told it would be.”
Pope was offered a lucrative contract by former Chairman Paul Wildes and current owner Norman Smurthwaite has made it clear that the forward would have to accept a paycut.
It’s about feeling wanted too and being respected. I do feel frustrated if this is what the chairman thinks I am worth to the club…
Pope told the Sentinel newspaper that he hasn’t “given up on still being a Port Vale player next season – although I have to say there would have to be a big change in the initial offer I had from my home town club this week.
“I was expecting to be asked to take a pay cut. Of course I was, after all I said last season that I wouldn’t be happy to be asked to take a pay cut of 40 or 50 per cent.
“In fact, the actual offer is even lower than I was told it would be.”
However, Pope also adds that he feels that the club should respect his contribution which has included 61 goals in the last three seasons.
He added: “Is it about the money? Well of course it is in some respects because I want the best deal for myself and my family.
“But it’s about feeling wanted too and being respected. I do feel frustrated if this is what the chairman thinks I am worth to the club.
“The chairman might argue that the offer is purely a business decision and nothing personal.
“I hope there’s room for negotiation but I don’t expect to be deciding my future in the next few days.”