Seven players in four years: Port Vale’s close relationship with Nottingham Forest
Striker Will Swan joined Port Vale on loan in February 2021 becoming the fifth Nottingham Forest player to join the club on loan in the last four years. There have also been two permanent transfers and a couple of unsuccessful trials.
Why is there so much activity between the two clubs? The moves have multiplied in recent years due to former Port Vale defender Phil Sproson. The former Port Vale stopper is now a football agent and is a close friend of Nottingham Forest academy manager (and former Port Vale loanee) Gary Brazil.
As a result several of Sproson’s clients are on Forest books. The youngsters are currently unable to get into the Championship side’s first-team but may benefit benefit from League Two football. So, with the agent’s connections to the Valiants, Sproson has approached the club about several of them in recent years.
The moves have, on the whole, been successful. Both Adam Crookes and Jake Taylor are now permanent signings while Tyler Walker’s loan move was a success until injury intervened.
Loans, trials and transfers – moves from Forest to Vale
Loans, trials and transfers – moves from Forest to ValeJanuary 2017: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest striker Tyler Walker on loan. The forward has a promising spell but it is unfortunately ended early through injury.
January 2018: Port Vale sign two Nottingham Forest players on loan. Defender Adam Crookes joins on the 14th January while team mate Toby Edser joins on deadline day. Crookes is a regular in the first-team but Edser (signed by owner Norman Smurthwaite after the departure of manager Neil Aspin) fails to make a single first-team appearance.
Summer 2019: former loanee Adam Crookes signs for the Valiants on a permanent deal.
August 2020: midfielder Jake Taylor joins the Valiants on loan after a successful trial spell with the club. The move is so successful that the Vale attempt to sign Taylor on a permanent deal before extending the loan until the end of the season.
January 2020: Port Vale take Nottingham Forest defender Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel on trial but decide against signing the player.
Summer 2020: Nottingham Forest youth striker Kieran Hayes spends time on trial with the Vale. However, the club decide not to sign the player.
January 2021: the Valiants re-sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Jake Taylor for an undisclosed fee on a three and a half year contract.
February 2021: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest striker Will Swan on loan until the end of the season.
Ken Rigby
2nd February 2021 @ 1:53 pm
Seem to be good signings, only time will tell, New legs and good competition for remaining squad.We can still make the play offs and look to the future.
Maurice Williams
3rd February 2021 @ 5:11 pm
Let’s see how our new recruits like playing on a large strength sapping pitch