Mitch Clark signs up for fourth Port Vale spell

Port Vale have confirmed the signing of wingback Mitch Clark following the defender’s release by Accrington Stanley.

The defender has agreed a two-year contract with the club. Manager Andy Crosby told the official website: “Vale fans will be well aware of what Mitch can offer to our squad and since he was last here at Vale Park, he has had two years of valuable experience in this league with Accrington Stanley where he has adjusted to and shown he is more than capable of dealing with the demands at this level.

“I’m going to support Mitch, like all our players both on and off the pitch, and I look forward to him taking responsibility for his continued growth and development. We also have some amazing role models at our club who he can lean on for advice and guidance.”

Clark will be well-known to Port Vale fans having spent three loan spells with the club and totalling over a hundred appearances. He started very brightly and impressed fans with his surging runs and skill. However, his spells were not without controversy with some ill thought-out comments from his agent and the termination of his final loan spell due to “personal reasons.” He has also been sanctioned by the FA for gambling offences while at Accrington Stanley. However, at his best, Clark offered a dynamic and attacking presence on the right-hand flank and at 24 he has time to learn from his mistakes and progress in a Vale shirt.

He is the club’s sixth signing of the summer so far.