Sam Hornby on “tough” decision to leave and “respect” for Scott Brown
Former Port Vale goalkeeper Sam Hornby says it was a “tough” decision to leave Vale Park.
Hornby turned down a contract offer from Port Vale to try and achieve first-team football at Bradford City.
I’ve got a lot of respect for Scott and we really worked well together. It was a good learning experience even though the game-time was limited…
The young goalkeeper was highly regarded at Vale Park and had impressed in the reserves but he had found his path to the first-team blocked by the form of veteran Scott Brown.
Speaking to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus newspaper, Hornby said of Brown: “I’ve got a lot of respect for Scott and we really worked well together. It was a good learning experience even though the game-time was limited.
“I got the opportunity to play in the Checkatrade Trophy and still had 20-odd reserve games. I managed to play but just not in the league.
“They were games when I really had to concentrate on and keep focused because if Browny had got injured, I’d have had to be ready to step up.
“He was doing very well and obviously managed to see the season through injury-free and his performances were good.
“You can’t really complain when he gets player of the year and sweeps up all the awards.
“It would have been his to lose again if I had stayed at Port Vale next season.”
On his decision to leave Vale Park he added: “It was tough but hopefully I can go in there now at Bradford and really stamp my authority on the jersey and get games.”