Lines and Richards among former Port Vale players to be released
Plenty of well-known former Port Vale players have been released by their clubs in recent days – here’s a round-up.
It’s the end of the English domestic season and many clubs are assessing their squads ahead of the summer. As a result a number of former Port Vale players have been released.
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Grimmer leaves Coventry City
Former Port Vale loanee Jack Grimmer (right) is one of a number of players who has been released by League One side Coventry City. Grimmer joined Vale on loan in 2014 making thirteen appearances and scoring once before returning to parent club Fulham. The Scottish defender, now 25, made sixty six appearances for the Sky Blues.
Lines leaves Bristol Rovers
Former Port Vale midfielder Chris Lines has been released by League One side Bristol Rovers. The veteran had made almost 350 appearances for Rovers over two spells. Lines joined Vale in 2013 from Sheffield Wednesday and made 71 appearances, scoring four goals during a two-year spell in the Potteries.
Boston United release former Vale striker
Forward Jordan Slew, who once commanded a £1m transfer fee, has been released by National League North side Boston United. Slew was signed on loan by former Vale manager Micky Adams in 2014 and scored twice in nine games. However, the striker was dropped after being sent-off in a match against Fleetwood Town and never played for the Valiants again. Since leaving Vale, Slew dropped into non-league with a spell at Radcliffe preceding his move to Boston. The 26 year-old scored twice in fourteen games for the club.
Alex Jones departs Bradford City
Former Birmingham City loanee Alex Jones (right) was one of the few bright spots of Vale’s awful 2016-17 season. The forward netted nine times in the first-half of the season but then controversially turned down a permanent move to Vale Park in favour of a switch to Bradford City. However, after ten goals in two seasons, Jones has now one of a number of players to be released by the Bantams.
Burton release McCrory
Former Vale loanee Damien McCrory, who spent two loan spells with the Valiants in 2008 and 2009 has been released by League One side Burton Albion. The Irish defender had made over 200 appearances for the Brewers during a seven year stay with the club.
Loft leaves Shrews
Former Port Vale skipper Doug Loft has been released by League One side Shrewsbury Town. Loft skippered the Valiants to promotion in 2013 but left to join Gillingham in 2014. In recent years, the veteran midfielder has been hit with injuries although ironically one of his five appearances for the Shrews came against former club Vale earlier this season.
Former Vale duo depart Swindon
Former loanee Jak McCourt and striker Marc Richards (right) have been released by Swindon Town. McCourt made just two appearances during a loan spell in 2015. Richards’ spell was far more significant as the forward scored 75 times in just over 200 games for the club. Richards was close to rejoining Port Vale in the January transfer window but the move was not completed.
Other former Valiants to be released include Grimsby Town’s striker JJ Hooper, Northampton Town midfielder Sam Foley