“I have made mistakes. Appointing Dave Flitcroft is not one of them” – Carol Shanahan responds to fans unrest
In a lengthy open letter on the official Port Vale website, Carol Shanahan has defended director of football David Flitcroft from demands that he should leave the club.
Following the sacking of Andy Crosby and a poor January transfer window, Flitcroft has faced repeated calls from fans to leave the club. Fans chanted for him to leave after the poor home loss to Leyton Orient while a poll on OVF shows that 83% of respondents want him to go.
Related stories and opinion
Since I became chair of Port Vale I have made mistakes. Appointing Dave Flitcroft is not one of them…
Shanahan says that “the money that (Flitcroft” has generated for this Football Club has paid for his wages to date many times over.”
She adds that: “He has worked tirelessly the past three years to the benefit of the football club – He has always made himself available at fans forums, podcasts or press interviews where he has been open and willing to answer any question asked of him.
“Since I became chair of Port Vale I have made mistakes. Appointing Dave Flitcroft is not one of them. I am a human who is always trying to do her best, to learn from my mistakes, grow as both a person and a leader, and act in the best interests of Port Vale Football Club. Dave Flitcroft lives by that same code and that is why he is this club’s Director of Football. His appointment without doubt has helped me bring a lot of my vision to life. He has changed the way Port Vale is viewed within the industry and is a driving force as to why the club has come so far so quickly.
“The last time the fans wanted someone out of the club this badly it was because a man only took from the club, he didn’t care if it succeeded or it died, and his time at the club damaged both its reputation and its future. None of that can be accused of Dave Flitcroft. The personal attacks have to stop. We must come together as a football club to support the team to keep us in the league. We have come so far together and there’s a lot further to go.”
You can read the full open letter here
Vale fan
7th February 2024 @ 2:32 pm
R u for real, come together, where is the Port Vale team Carol, You say he has made money for the Club, well how about spending it on some player, all we have had is sick notes and young rookie players ( yes some have done there job, others have not)You and Flitcroft are killing the fan base that you built up, How much more of our cash do you want to support a team that is not good enough for the reserves
Vale fan
7th February 2024 @ 3:50 pm
Ok Carol we know what you have done for Port Vale and the community but you can not do any of this without the fans or the people behind you, the fans did there bit during Covid, what we want to know is we’re is Port Vale going now,answer no where fast.We pay to see a team of Port Zvale players not a bunch of loan signings from the Ritch clubs,Crosby should of gone before Xmas, to give us a fighting chance of staying up, no doubt the sick note players will still be here next season
Ray Williams
7th February 2024 @ 4:48 pm
Please take off those rose tinted spectacles Carol. Flitcroft is not wanted by the fans and you have to respect that. I have watched his career at Chester and beyond and I always described him as a show pony. I see the same self importance and he is thriving in it. Finally I say this with nothing but love for you and Kevin. Good luck to you both.
David raftery
7th February 2024 @ 4:59 pm
1 Dave worrall wanted a two year contract he was deemed two old. Then Lowe was signed 2 benning was allowed to leave saying he would not get game time. But no suitable replacement was signed. 3 one of the best midfield group in the division at the beginning of January loosing the two young lads and replacing with two new young players fine but ojo and garratty injured we then let Conlon go a player who has gave great service and is still only 27 if that’s flitcroft’s best efforts we will be back to square one in league two with at a team not a good as when he first came into the club
David raftery
7th February 2024 @ 5:57 pm
A point about the statement made about David flitcroft generating income with the young players.please note there was less than half the supporters at last night’s fixture compared to the start of the season. Supporters pay to see the first team not young players who are sold before they kick a Ball for the first team.judging the state of the first team there will soon be a lot less supporters than there was last night
Steve
7th February 2024 @ 8:18 pm
Oh Carol, Flitcroft hasn’t a clue, we have let Benning, Worrall and Conlan Leave, we have no decent strikers.
I don’t care what he has generated in cash, his decisions are taking us down, it took years to get out with a fantastic Wembley win but that team needed strengthening and not being filled with emerging prem or championship kids who were always destined to go back.
Yes support the team with these as subs to help with injuries and to rest players but Flitcroft has made poor decisions in this aspect.
It was he that should go, I feel sorry for Crosby working with nothing, same with Daryl best manager we have had at the club for some time but sacrificed to keep Flitcroft….A complete joke, love you Carol but “You don’t know what you’re doing”
Our great club will be back in administration shortly with such poor management decisions I’m sure.
David Brown
7th February 2024 @ 8:26 pm
I don’t argue with the content of the letter. It’s an excellent and comprehensive communication to address supporter’s concerns. That the club is struggling for League 1 survival is obviously seen a part of the journey to the club’s overall success in the longer term. So, there’s loyalty to Flitcroft and his business contribution. Whether that will change if the club is relegated remains to be seen. The owners are capable of tough decisions, shown by the exits of Askey, Garlick, Clarke, and Crosby. I was impressed by Flitcroft’s promotion squad, signing England U21 players Arblaster and Devine, and the development of new talent. I do however think he should be using his promotion winning management experience to fill in on the match day bench until a new Manager is appointed.
Danny
7th February 2024 @ 9:48 pm
It’s like a mother telling off her sons boss for being “mean”
Andy Rennie
7th February 2024 @ 9:58 pm
I think Carol’s letter is accurate and comprehensive. I don’t think there is anything to be gained from shouting for resignations at this critical time of the season. We must (fans included )all pull in the same direction and get behind Carol & Kevin the Club and Dave Flitcroft because that is the only chance we have to achieve our mutual objective of staying in League One. Discontent and negative comments will not help the players and staff and will only help to galvanise other teams surrounding Port Vale in this relegation battle. So please Fans get behind the team & club.
Jase Whitehurst
8th February 2024 @ 3:12 pm
I have every respect what Carol and Kevin have brought to Port Vale Football Club. However, on the subject of David Flitcroft I whole heartedly disagree with what she has trusted in him in her so Open Letter. Please please Carol listen to your paying supporters [83%] of them and get rid of this Poison Serpent from our Football Club. If you DON’T, League Two beckons I am afraid Carol. If you DO NOT act then I am sorry bit you go down in my estimations as being loyal to Port Vale Football Club and its fan base.
Andy Copeland
8th February 2024 @ 5:11 pm
We are Port Vale not Manchester City, our club is not big enough to need a director of football.My opinion is that its just another wage,which could pay for a striker ,which is what the club desperately needs.
Maurice WILLIAMS
9th February 2024 @ 9:03 am
A team of left overs clue less why not play John Rudge we have no fit strikers relying on mid field a defence with more holes in it than pot holes in the potteries. Poor transfer deadline seems we are picking up the left overs. Loftyis only in the team to make up the numbers
John Palmer
9th February 2024 @ 9:48 am
We do not know how a football club is run so we cannot and will not criticise the club. You Carol and Kevin have saved this club and for that we are eternally grateful. Injuries to players have been the problem for the club from our prospective. We love Port Vale and always will. You have our whole hearted support. John and Iris.
Anthony Cheetham
10th February 2024 @ 1:20 pm
Well Carol I am afraid it is, keeping Flitcroft is the quickest way to get the fans to turn on you,