OVF 2017 review: our clubman of the year
In our series of features covering 2017 we look at what we consider to be Vale’s clubman of the year.
Our vote for clubman of the year deservedly goes to defender Adam Yates.
The luckless defender missed the whole of last season through injury and had battled back to full fitness in the summer. During his spell out Yates had helped on the coaching staff.
After a spell on loan to Macclesfield Yates looked set to challenge for a first-team place only to suffer a horrific injury in a reserve game. The veteran suffered a fractured nose, cheekbones and eye sockets as well as a broken upper jaw and wrist. Manager Neil Aspin said “I have never seen, on a football pitch, someone get the extent of the injuries he has got.”
Yates endured three and half hours of surgery and afterwards the club handed him a contract extension to the end of the season. Chairman Norman Smurthwaite said “I felt it was our duty to support a player who had given so much service to the club.”
Few will disagree that such a loyal servant should not receive such a deal. We wish Adam the very best in his recovery from injury.
Adam Yates – OVF clubman of the year for 2017
Adam Yates Factfile
Joined the club: 2009
Age: 34
Games: 248
Goals: 5