Such an emotional build-up – Port Vale owner on mood ahead of Wembley play-off final
Port Vale chair and co-owner Carol Shanahan says it has been “such an emotional build-up” as the club prepares to take on Mansfield Town in the League Two play-off final.
The Valiants’ season has been a rollercoaster already. A slow start was followed by a run of eight wins in nine that had the club in the automatic promotion places, only for their form to falter and three straight defeats leaving them having to win on the final day to seal their play-off spot. The Vale beat Exeter to secure a play-off place and then survived missing two spot-kicks to win a shootout with Swindon Town to reach the final. Coupled with a period of leave for manager Darrell Clarke following a close family bereavement and it’s no wonder that Shanahan describes the campaign as “emotional”.
I’m pleased for Darrell and his backroom staff – Andy Crosby and the rest – because there’s some unsung heroes in there…
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke Shanahan said: “I think if you were to describe Vale’s season it would be emotional.
“It’s been emotional from the beginning of pre-season starting off with nine players and then Dave Flitcroft and Darrell building this squad. We just knew they were special.
“I’m pleased for Darrell and his backroom staff – Andy Crosby and the rest – because there’s some unsung heroes in there. They all work for each other. I stay with them on the night before matches and you can see it.
“The players all wanted to do it for Port Vale. They wanted to do it for Darrell. They wanted to to it for each other. We’re there and I’m just so happy. It’s been such an emotional build-up.”
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The League Two play-off final will take place on Saturday at 4pm at Wembley stadium with the winners progressing to League One.
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Mike Rennie
25th May 2022 @ 7:53 pm
well done to all at Vale regardless of result on Sat.Well done John Askey at York .Our club is a family and has been transformed .UTV
Ron Howells
26th May 2022 @ 3:29 pm
Respect to Mansfield for that gesture and no matter what the result Saturday proud to be a Port Vale fan