Which Port Vale players are in and out of contract at the end of the season?
It seems odd to be debating the future of players when the very future of Port Vale FC is in doubt but nevertheless here it is.
OVF takes a look at who is out of contract, who’s in contract and the status of the loanees.
The out of contract players
Sam Hornby – Goalkeeper (right)
He has found chances in the first-team hard to come by thanks to the form of player of the year Scott Brown but has impressed in the reserves and could be seen as the long-term replacement for veteran Brown.
Leon Legge – Defender
There is some confusion over whether the veteran has triggered another year on his initial one-year contract. Favoured in recent matches by manager John Askey, Legge could be a useful character to keep both on and off the pitch.
Connell Rawlinson
Has another year option on his contract but after being a regular starter under Neil Aspin he has fallen out of favour in the second half of the season. A lot will depend on whether the second year of his contract has been activated or not.
Theo Vassell
A player who may be awaiting the retained list news with some trepidation, Vassell was signed by former manager Neil Aspin and enjoyed a run of games at left-back before the arrival of loanee Adam Crookes.
Mike Calveley (right)
Enjoyed a decent loan spell at Nuneaton and has been included in the first-team squad recently, it will be down to the coaching staff to decide if the out-of-contract youngster has what it takes to become a first-team regular.
Harry Benns
A youth team graduate like Calveley but he hasn’t been able to press his claims of a first-team place and will be anxiously checking the retained list.
Antony Kay
Enjoyed a fair number of starts in midfield this season but he’s now clearly in the veteran stages of his career which may reduce his chances of a new deal.
Michael Tonge
Made a solitary appearance this season and the veteran is highly unlikely to make the Vale Park retained list.
Danny Pugh
Unlikely to be maintained purely as a player, the veteran has earned praise for his coaching and Vale could well hand him a role on the bench while maintaining his players registration just in case.
Manny Oyeleke (right)
The midfielder has an option of another year and is surely likely to stay after impressing when fit. The only issue is the number of injuries the former Aldershot man picked up.
Tom Conlon
The locally-born player had an up and down season but proved a potential matchwinner when on top form. Conlon is still young and Vale may see him as a player who can develop further next season.
Luke Hannant
An interesting one with Hannant being linked with moves to Championship clubs at the start of the season and then in and out of the club towards the end of the season. His attitude and versatility may be enough to earn a new deal.
David Worrall
Looked odds-on to go after falling out of favour with Neil Aspin but has bounced back under John Askey. He apparently has the option of another year and on current form could well be maintained by the Valiants.
Danny Elliott, Dan Turner and Dior Angus
All three are out of contract and it will be up to the Vale coaching staff to decide which, if any, have the potential to develop and which should be let go. Of the three, Dior Angus looks the most likely to stay after manager John Askey praised his attitude and expressed an interest in seeing the player perform.
The players with contracts
Scott Brown (right)
Contracted until the end of 2019-20.
James Gibbons
Contracted until the end of 2019-20.
Luke Joyce
Contracted until the end of 2019-20.
Ben Whitfield
Contracted until the end of 2019-20.
Ricky Miller
Contracted until the end of 2019-20.
Tom Pope
Under contract until the end of 2020-21.
Nathan Smith
Under contract until the end of 2019-20.
The loan players
Mitch Clark (right)
The Aston Villa loanee has impressed and Vale will be very interested if the Villa decide to release him. However, they may face competition from other clubs for the youngster’s signature.
Adam Crookes
Just like Clark, Crookes has impressed. Vale’s chances of a deal for Crookes look decent. His agent is Vale legend Phil Sproson, he may well be released by parent club Nottingham Forest and as a less high-profile player than Clark there’s likely to be less compeittion for his signature.
Kyle Howkins
His second spell on loan wasn’t as memorable as his first with him returning early to the Baggies. His physique could be a real asset in League Two but even if he were released by parent club West Brom, there are significant doubts about his fitness after his injury worries.
Mark Harris
The youngster didn’t dazzle during his time at Vale Park and having ended his spell early he is now likely to continue his development with parent club Cardiff City.
Toby Edser
He has made the bench but hasn’t broken through to the first-team. He’s therefore unlikely to be a Vale summer target and is highly likely to return to parent club Nottingham Forest.