Not much honesty or loyalty – Tom Pope on Port Vale exit and Congleton switch
Former Port Vale striker Tom Pope has broken his recent silence on being released by the club describing his final two years as having “not much honesty or loyalty anymore.”
Pope, the club’s post-war record goalscorer was one of fifteen players to be released by the club at the end of the season. Following his release, manager Darrell Clarke paid tribute to the striker and the Port Vale Supporters Club are planning a range of testimonial events to pay tribute to the long-serving striker.
The way I was treated – it’s been a tough two years. There’s just not much honesty or loyalty anymore…
However, despite his many years at the club and the glowing tributes, it seems that the striker felt under appreciated in recent years. Discussing the last two years at the club, which saw the club taken over by the Shanahans, a lengthy ban for Pope after being sanctioned by the FA for offensive tweets and spells under both John Askey and Darrell Clarke the veteran striker told the Non League Paper: “Mentallly, the way I was treated – it’s been a tough two years. There’s just not much honesty or loyalty anymore.”
It’s unclear who the “honesty” comments are directed at, but the striker clearly felt he deserved more game time adding: “I’ve seen so many players go from playing 90 minutes, to maybe 60 minutes, to coming on as a sub. That’s life. But I went from being captain of the team and playing 90 minutes every week to basically being bombed out.
“The worst thing in the world for me is training all week and then not get any minutes on a Saturday. To put my body through that – especially at my age – and not kick a ball became more and more frustrating.”
The forward clearly felt he could do a job. He commented: “I’m quite honest with myself. If I couldn’t do a job anymore I’d stand up and say ‘That’s me done’. But I was sat watching players who weren’t as good as me starting games. The whole experience made me fall out of love with football, really.”
His comments perhaps explain his surprise move to Congleton Town where he will link up with former team mate Richard Duffy. It appears that Pope feels that the move will see him respected as he told the newspaper: “Duffs is someone who respects me, who trusts me and is a good mate. Now I’ve got a guy here that trusts me. Great people around. The club is very well run.”
“Obviously I’ve been used to a much better standard and I might get frustrated at times. But all you can do is not get too emotional about it and take it for what it is.”
Pope has plans for his future too adding: “Congleton have said I can do my badges with the youth team, the reserves or wherever I need to be. I’ve thought about buying property and maybe doing it up. Right now, though, I just want to get back happy, get back playing and fall in love with football again.”
Tom Pope at Vale Park
Tom Pope at Vale ParkA selection of our recent articles on the post-war record goalscorer.
What do you think of the Tom Pope comments? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.
John Mahon
25th July 2021 @ 2:58 pm
Tom Pope deserved better… So many loved figures at clubs are released because managers dont want anybody to usurp them. I just hope this isnt a case in question. I do not have the qualifications or perhaps the quality to manage a football club but i and a lot of fans thought Tom and Scott Brown were well worth another contract.
D Martin
25th July 2021 @ 3:22 pm
This is painful to read, as it comes from a true Port Vale hero who has served the club magnificently.
However, it is not just this article that leads me to believe that Tom Pope lacks self-awareness, intellect, tact, intelligence, or humility, and shows ingratitude on a massive scale for being lucky enough to have had a well-paid career doing something that millions could only dream of.
His previous indiscretions – and that is putting it mildly – on twitter led to him being unavailable to play at crucial times, and damaged the reputation of Port Vale and he might like to reflect on whether this had a bearing on his release from the club.
Footballers are well-paid, and part of their duty is to be ambassadors of their clubs, even more so with prominent and legendary players like Tom, who is seen as the most well-publicised representation of Port Vale by many fans of other clubs as well as Vale.
Other players released this summer have had the class to accept that change – whether they agree with it or not – is inevitable in football, and this latest immature outburst by Tom Pope whining that he was not selected and that he was better than players who were, is not only unnecessary but childish.
Instead of leaving Port Vale and being remembered as a hero, this will stick in the throat of many, even if the memories of his on-the-field feats will always remain.
I had hoped Tom would be retained by Vale, but accepted the decision to release him as it was made by those doing their best to create a new and successful era, and this will always be a difficult and challenging process. Unfortunately, after this latest outburst, I now feel it is better he has gone.
Steve
25th July 2021 @ 4:32 pm
Theres no doubt he did a good job for Vale but the club seemed to treat him very well. Taking him back after he quit for Bury several years ago.
Hope he does a good job for Congleton who must have taken on a big financial risk with all the people they have recruited. He wont find it easy as the standard of North West Counties level is very good.
Linda Lear
25th July 2021 @ 5:26 pm
Agree with most of it, numerous times watching Vale last 18mths we have said “Get Popey on”
David Cooper
25th July 2021 @ 5:38 pm
D Martin, would he have played anyway if he had not been banned? Clarke has come in and made loads of changes, I will give time (christmas) before saying he was right or wrong. Problem is if he gets it wrong we are stuffed. Who do you blame then, Flitcroft, Carol and the board? i am sure Pope could have done one more year, we will never know now will we. One thing is certain he WAS better than those up front who played instead of him.
Jeff Wainwright
25th July 2021 @ 5:50 pm
I have some sympathy with Tom but he has to take some responsibility for how it started. His social media exploits got him the 8 match ban and being out of the side so long he was rusty on his return. The year before Tom was pretty fit but missing those games he was playing catch up. Then just as he was getting match fit through a dirty piece of play he got the injury.
Things then conspired when the goalkeeper got injured the Robinson was brought into the squad again otherwise I think Darrell would have had to bring him back into the team earlier. TBH I think Vale should have offered him another year if he proved his fitness over pre-season.
So to be fair is was probably more how things worked out than a lack of respect from Vale. Although it looked like Askey took the hump because of the ban. I hope this outburst doesn’t affect him returning to Vale sometime.
Thomas Hughes
25th July 2021 @ 7:14 pm
Ridiculous display of self pity. He was banned for outrageous tweets of his own doing. If he wants honesty, then he simply wasn’t getting game time because he was past it. He was earning a good wage out of Vale and if it is game time he wants, he should get that at Congleton.
He was a very good servant to the club and will be remembered, but what more did he want?
Torquay Valiant
26th July 2021 @ 9:29 am
I really can’t believe his comments. He was on a good salary and was given a contract up to his 36th year, I don’t know of many players (of whatever standard get that).
He then comes back with those comments, he seems to forget he jumped ship for money to go to Bury, where was the loyalty then.
Thank you Tom but don’t sour the memory.
Elliott G
27th July 2021 @ 1:09 am
we all love popey but this really does seem like the ramblings of a bitter man that can’t come to terms that the club is moving forward and it’s without him. you could clearly see he didn’t have the legs anymore and was maybe capable of being thrown on as a sub for the last 20/30 minutes! definitely not a starter. he lacked professionalism and it seemed to have caught up with him. the interview seemed to try trigger a reaction from fans and he will get it from some loyal fans but let’s not be fooled, if he really still has got it then he’d be signing for either conference or league 2 rival but he’s not, he’s gone for the option of playing for his mate and being able to do what he likes in his spare time and not have come under the banner of efl where they have guidelines etc in place. hope he has a great season but i’m not sure fooled by this one bit. he’ll be a legend and should’ve written a more humbling message and thanked the fans etc and not try score points against owners who are trying to move the club forwards
Neville Kirkland
27th July 2021 @ 7:17 am
Tom deserved the respect from any manager ,and I believe he is right he was a far better predator than the garbage strikers we’ve had and that’s why the supporters loved him ,he should have been our main striker but this system of one up front never worked and tom was left just standing around sometimes,daryl Clark has done something great and got rid of the rubbish at vale,I still think Tom had a place at vale because he was dangerous with anything that came in the box ,good luck Tom hope they have a testimonial for him I will be there
Frances pennington
27th July 2021 @ 8:03 am
Tom was a good player before he went to Bury for more money his attitude seemed to change when he came back as if he was saying “see you need me I am important” and to say that he was better than other team members that is so wrong I was taught that there’s NO I IN TEAM when I ran for Stoke AC it hurts me to say good ridens to him the lads can now play football not lob ball
Anita Craig
27th July 2021 @ 8:51 am
Disappointed…that’s all
Clive Green
27th July 2021 @ 10:37 am
Tom you gave a lot and received a lot.As with everyone change has to be accommodated.Vale have been good to you,your comments are noted,but we must move on.
John Royals
27th July 2021 @ 11:10 am
Well I Bloody Well Agree With The Lad. What’s The Point Of Putting The Hours In On The Training Ground If You’re Just Gonna Be Overlooked Week In Week Out. One Thing’s For Sure The Fans WILL ALWAYS STAY Loyal To You My Friend. I Hope Things Work Out At Congleton Brother!
Paul
27th July 2021 @ 11:54 am
Great servant to the club,,, but come on Tom,, that’s life. It’s not only in football that things have changed. For some reason we’ve seen changes in many walks of life, not necessarily for the better. There are dishonest people everywhere, just look at No10!! You’ve been paid well for playing sport, think how lucky you’ve been. Onward and upward, keep your silence and enjoy the rest of your life. Thanks for some great times shared
Mitch
27th July 2021 @ 1:22 pm
I agree Tom you have been a good servant and you were paid very well for it .
Maybe off the field has affected your stance in the game and that is what people have seen and thought long and hard about .
If that is the case then maybe a look in the mirror is in order
Gerald Siery
27th July 2021 @ 5:37 pm
Tom sounds a tad bitter & it’s not surprising clubs post war top goal scorer at least they could have made him a role in the club. Just saying
Ray Welton
27th July 2021 @ 9:43 pm
Tom pope has been a great servant to vale not treated well at the end which can leave a sour taste in your mouth but all the best Tom at Congleton and start enjoying it again
Anthony Cheetham
3rd March 2022 @ 8:53 am
If Tom Pope had been on the pitch on Tuesday evening at Harrogate the chances that vale had the match would have been over after the first 45 mins & 3 points bags.