A selection of Port Vale’s best ever managers according to win percentage
As Port Vale aim to secure survival and cement their stay in League One, Andy Crosby can seek inspiration from some of the club’s best ever managers.
(OfficialPVFC): Micky Adams has today signed a 2 year deal with Port Vale. Welcome back Micky! #Pvfc #trfc #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/jdMAeBL65N
— Official Pub Sources (@PubSources) April 9, 2015
Vale are generally up against bigger budgets
Throughout history, Port Vale have always had to battle against teams with better resources. Even today, clubs like Peterborough United and Derby County have bigger budgets that enable them to snap up better players. The same applies in England’s top flight. Fans who bet on the Premier League fantasy football squads being far more likely to put faith in sides like Manchester City, who are currently priced at 4/6 to win the league. Given the money they have to spend and the quality of acquisitions they make, they’re likely to be right up there.
Even looking at the lower end of the table, sides who are typically favoured strongly by fans in terms of avoiding the drop and with regards to Premier League 2023/24 relegation odds have generally recruited well over a sustained period. Sides like Brentford, for instance, have a tried and tested model that allows them to gain an edge over the competition through data and statistics.
In their quest for League One survival this season, Vale are operating under similar circumstances. This has actually always been the case, but Port Vale have also managed to overcome these obstacles, thanks to a plethora of managers.
John Askey deserves a mention
A manager who had a win percentage of 37.4% during his time at the club, John Askey deserves a mention. His first year in charge was a particular highlight, as Askey ensured Vale’s status in the Football League remained intact. While it didn’t work out in the end, keeping the club up that season warrants praise. Vale were 18th in the table and just six points above the relegation zone at the time. Askey’s input resulted in survival being comfortably secured in the end.
Micky Adams is a Vale hero
While John Askey was busy masterminding League Two safety, Micky Adams is a manager with a promotion out of the division on his CV. A Vale hero in his own right, Adams’ win percentage during both his spells at the club is 41.29%. His undoubted highlight was the 2012/13 League Two promotion campaign, although he was also revered by fans for his honest approach and general likability. Adams won 102 of his 247 games as manager of the club, an impressive return.
Darrell Clarke had 41.9% win percentage
Like Micky Adams before him, Darrell Clarke is another manager who oversaw a memorable promotion-winning season out of League Two. In his 152 games in charge, Vale managed to win 52 of them, resulting in a strong win percentage of 41.9%. Clarke will therefore always be fondly remembered by the Vale faithful. Particularly as he helped lay the foundations for what fans are witnessing today, after taking over the side when they were 18th in League Two.
Tom Morgan tops the list
With Warneford Cresswell coming just behind him in the pecking order with a win percentage of 42.6%, Tom Morgan officially tops the list with 43.9%. Over two spells as manager, the former Vale player, scout, and assistant secretary won the Third Division North title. Morgan also led the team to an impressive fifth-placed finish in the Second Division.