Thomas becomes fourth Valiant to wear skipper’s armband
It may have escaped some Vale fans’ attention but Vale winger Jerome Thomas was wearing the captain’s armband against Coventry – the club’s fourth captain of the season.
In the summer, Bruno Ribeiro announced that the club would have joint-captains – Jak Alnwick, Ben Purkiss and Anthony Grant – and all three have taken the armband during the season.
However, Thomas’ influence is appreciated in the dressing room – loanee Alex Jones spoke of his appreciation for the veteran – and his standing has been confirmed by the decision to hand him the armband.
Defender Purkiss backed the decision telling the Sentinel: “Jerome came in a little bit later and I think the manager said he would be among the senior group as well, and he chose him to lead us out.
“He has fantastic experience and I think he has been really good for us this season. There might be times when the armband gets shared around because it is about being together and everyone leading really.
“You have leaders on the pitch that aren’t in that senior group, there are younger boys out there that are leading through their performances.”