No shenanigans under the Shanahans for Port Vale
Port Vale have experienced a period of difficulty off and on the field in recent years. Relegation to League Two has been compounded by previous owner Norman Smurthwaite wreaking havoc at the club. Smurthwaite’s claim that he would put Vale into administration if no buyers could be found by May 5 2020 was met by sheer horror. Thank the Lord, therefore, for Carol and Kevin Shanahan.
On the field, Port Vale are away at Northampton Town on Saturday with Vale at an inviting 61/20 to take all three point with the best free sports bet no deposit sites. A draw is 12/5 and a Town victory 11/10, despite just five places and seven points separating the two sides in the League Two table.
Transparency and communication
Smurthwaite was detested by the vast majority of Vale fans for the way he handled the club. Since buying out Vale in November 2012 – which brought them out of administration – the property developer cut a controversial figure at Vale Park.
With protests in abundance by the end of his reign, the sale to the Shanahans came at great relief for supporters, particularly after the couple came across so well in the media.
Carol and Kevin pride themselves on sticking to their principles to ensure long-term stability and incremental growth. The couple’s determination to reconnect with the fans and the community is music to all of Vale fans’ ears, especially following Smurthwaite’s burning of bridges with the grassroots and his unpredictable behaviour in gambling away the club’s stability.
Building from the bottom up
Whilst Smurthwaite threw money at different managers and players to earn promotion, his investment was neither contemplated nor effective. The Shanahans, meanwhile, had to complete tasks left by the previous owner months after taking charge in May 2019, something which only owners that love the club would do.
Investing is key, but investing it wisely is more important, and the Shanahans are vying to propel their family ethos and instigate sustainable revenue streams for lasting improvement and success, not for short-term, nonviable gain.
From potential insolvency, a minimum ten-point deduction and thus a third consecutive relegation battle to comfortable safety and owners that care, Port Vale’s turnaround has been nothing short of spectacular. The fears of non-league football and yet another drop in attendances could have sounded the death knell for Vale.
Yet, the club finally appears to be on the right track under the Shanahans. And, with John Askey at the helm as well as the increasing commitment of key players, there is no reason why Vale cannot completely wipe the past six-and-a-half years from memory with a late play-off charge. Their 20/1 odds of earning promotion from League Two is certainly worth a punt.