I’m repeating myself – but Port Vale needs a new and dynamic owner
OVF editor Rob Fielding says that while in the short-term a new manager is required, the bigger problem remains the ownership and direction of the club.
Rob Fielding writes…
He’s still in the job at time of writing but arguments about Michael Brown’s ability to do the job will obviously continue after the side’s latest defeat.
It’s right that fans should demand a new manager and in the short-term a new man could arrest the club’s terrible form but there is a bigger picture at the club.
After all, the current owner effectively forced out Rob Page after a respectable League One finish, appointed Bruno Ribeiro (a disastrous move) and is responsible for Michael Brown being in charge. So, if Brown goes – do fans have faith that a better managerial replacement will be selected?
I’m now going to repeat myself by adding the final paragraphs from another opinion piece I posted some weeks ago. The sad thing is – the points I made those weeks ago still ring true today. So here goes…
President Harry Truman used to keep a sign on his desk stating that the “buck stops here” – meaning that as he held ultimate power, ultimately he was responsible for the actions of others beneath him. The same rule could apply at Vale.
We now have a largely absent owner who seems disinterested in progressing the club. The Vale remain apparently up for sale and in the hands of Colin Garlick (who to be fair has exceeded expectations in a position I for one wouldn’t like to occupy). No-one can say that Norman Smurthwaite HAS to invest in the club but there is a compelling case that says – if he won’t then he needs to sell the club to someone who will. It’s galling that other parties would be willing to put long-term plans in place and are being prevented from doing so due to an unrealistic asking price.
So while fan disenchantment with manager Michael Brown, his coaching staff and the players is dominating the forum at the moment it is worth remembering – the most important thing for Port Vale is that Norman Smurthwaite should lower his asking price to a realistic level and speak to buyers who have long-term plans and can devote time to taking Vale forward.