Time will tell whether the January 2023 transfer window was a success or failure for the club.
Some fans were happy for the club to have a quieter window, but others were upset that the squad did not add more than two loan signings especially as other clubs brought in some eye-catching signings.
Here’s how the window compares with previous ones…
January 2023
2 in (two loans)
Loans: Aaron Donnelly, Matt Taylor
5 out (three permanent, two loans)
Permanent deals: Connor Hall, Harry Charsley, Brad Walker
Loans: Tommy McDermott, James Plant
Notes
The departure of Connor Hall for family reasons was clearly the biggest blow of the window. The left-sided defender was replaced by loanee Aaron Donnelly and to be honest, it’s too early to judge whether the Nottingham Forest youngster is a success or not. The exits of Charsley and Walker were largely expected but there was some concern by fans over a failure to strengthen a forward line hit by injuries. That was allayed in somewhat dramatic fashion when the loan signing of the experienced Matt Taylor was announced at three minutes to eleven.
The loan moves were to be expected as youngsters McDermott and Plant moved to Darrell Clarke’s old side Salisbury FC to gain experience.
January 2022
8 in (four permanent, four loans)
Permanent deals: Chris Hussey, Connor Hall, Harry Charsley, Sammy Robinson
Loans: Ryan Edmondson, Kian Harratt, Tomas Holy, Joel Cooper
6 out (six permanent)
Permanent deals: Ryan Johnson, Danny Amos, Danny Whitehead, Leon Legge, Devante Rodney, Scott Burgess
Notes
In terms of outgoings, there could be few complaints – an ageing Leon Legge and an inconsistent Devante Rodney being the headline exits. It’s arguable that every one of Vale’s permanent additions was a wise signing. Connor Hall was a stand-out signing but Harry Charsley and Chris Hussey also played their part while Sam Robinson was clearly one for the future.
The picture was less obvious when it came to loan additions. Ryan Edmondson and Kian Harratt boosted the attack although they showed their inexperience at times but the additions of Tomas Holy and Joel Cooper were less successful.
January 2021
3 in (three permanent)
Permanent deals: Jake Taylor, Kurtis Guthrie, Tom Scott
0 out
Notes
A quiet window thanks at least in part to manager John Askey departing at the start of it. The headline signing was clearly that of Jake Taylor. At the time the move was welcomed by the fans but that of Kurtis Guthrie was less celebrated and the forward only scored once in seventeen appearances. The signing of rookie keeper Tom Scott was to provide cover and he never made it onto the pitch.
January 2020
1 in (one loan)
Loan: Mitch Clark
3 out (two permanent, one loan)
Permanent moves: Joe Berks, Lucas Green-Birch
Loan: Jordan Archer
Notes
Another quiet window although Vale fans welcomed the return of multiple loanee Mitch Clark for another spell. The outgoings were fairly obvious being the release of youngsters Joe Berks and Lucas Green-Birch and a loan spell at Stockport County for striker Jordan Archer.
January 2019
6 in (one permanent, five loans)
Permanent deal: Daniel Trickett-Smith
Loans: Adam Crookes, Mark Harris, Toby Edser, Kyle Howkins, Callum Whelan
3 out (two permanent, one loan)
Loans: Dior Angus. Daniel Trickett-Smith, Harry Benns
Notes
Arguably one of the most bonkers windows for the club as a managerless Vale wheeled and dealed in the market – with plenty of moves but very few successes. Of the loan additions, great things were expected of Kyle Howkins but he was rapidly injured so arguably Adam Crookes was the most successful addition. Other loanees were far less impactful with Callum Whelan barely featuring and Toby Edser never playing for the first-team. The outgoings were all loan moves with sole permanent addition Dan Tricket-Smith remaining at his former club Leek Town and spells at Barrow and Kidsgrove for Dior Angus and Harry Benns.
More of a case of better signings and not wholesale changes