Port Vale manager hits out at “constant” abuse after Grimsby loss

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin says he expects “abuse” from fans after poor performances but “getting abuse for long periods of the game…I don’t think that is really acceptable.”

Aspin was speaking after there were verbal clashes between Port Vale fans and coaching staff during the poor home defeat to Grimsby Town on Boxing Day.

I think everybody is frustrated. The supporters want the team to do well, I have no problem with that. When you are getting abuse for long periods of the game which is constant, I don’t think that is really acceptable…

Aspin told the media: “People expect certain things, they expect you to get results, but we are where we are. We just have to keep battling.

“If you are a manager and you are getting abuse off people then it is not very nice, but it certainly won’t change the way that I feel… and that is that you work hard and you try to get the team prepared as best as possible, and you give your maximum all the time.

“But all, obviously, people are interested in is whether they get a result. I think everybody is frustrated. The supporters want the team to do well, I have no problem with that. When you are getting abuse for long periods of the game which is constant, I don’t think that is really acceptable. I don’t think it is acceptable when you are getting abuse off children as well. But that is the modern day and that is obviously what you have to put up with.”