Five of the best Port Vale signings by Micky Adams
Who are the best Micky Adams signings for Port Vale? We think this is a tough task (so we enjoyed it) and we think there’s bound to be some disagreement over some of our choices…
If you disagree (or agree) with our selection of the best Port Vale signings by Micky Adams signings, please post a comment below.
Best Micky Adams signings
Tom Pope
It’s a bit of an obvious one with the benefit of hindsight but Adams’ purchase of Pope in 2011 was a significant gamble. After all, Pope had failed to even get to double figures in his two previous season. It’s worth remembering that his first full season at Vale Park wasn’t great – with just five goals scored. But Adams kept faith and the rest is a part of Port Vale history…
Doug Loft
Micky Adams’ second Port Vale signing was one of his most significant. 21 year-old Loft had just 60 career games to his name but was known to Adams after his spell as Brighton manager. The versatile midfielder went on to make almost 200 appearances for the club, captain the side, pick up a player of the year award and skipper the side to promotion in 2013.
Chris Neal
Surely one of the most crucial Adams signings was reliable stopper Chris Neal. The goalkeeper arrived at Vale Park in 2012 fresh from winning promotion with Shrewsbury Town. Neal’s promotion nous clearly rubbed off as he helped the Valiants to promotion in 2013. A popular figure with the fans, Neal made almost 150 appearances for the club.
Lee Hughes
This may be a controversial one but we reckon the irrepressible striker deserves a place even though he didn’t stay for very long. Hughes’ influence was to steer the club to promotion and then stabilise the club in the higher division the next season. The veteran possessed undoubted class and it was just a pity he wasn’t a few years younger. His record of 13 goals in 34 games and a promotion makes for a brief but impressive Port Vale stay.
Carl Dickinson
This was another difficult one and had he not been signed by Chairman Bill Bratt, we would have opted for the reliable Adam Yates. Dickinson had his critics but he brought a never-say-die attitude and excellent captaincy skills during his three year stay with the club.