Opinion: Port Vale’s decision makers may want to check one candidate’s reputation with Vale fans
Rob Fielding says that the folk making managerial decisions at the club may want to be aware that Vale fans have long memories – and many would not approve of one possible candidate.
Rob Fielding writes…
The people charged with appointing the next Port Vale manager may want to ask older Vale fans their thoughts on Paul Robinson, rumoured to be one of the leading contenders for the manager’s position. The former player and coach at Birmingham City and Millwall is reported to be a leading contender by the Football Insider.
It’s believed that Director of Football David Flitcroft will be key to the recruitment of the next Vale manager, but neither Flitcroft nor owners the Shanahans may be aware of an incident twenty five years ago.
Robinson’s broken reputation with Port Vale fans…
In 1999, Robinson, then playing for Watford launched an x-rated challenge on Vale’s highly-rated midfielder Stuart Talbot. There was an audible crack and it turned out Talbot’s leg has sustained a multiple fracture. To the fury of fans, Robinson didn’t apologise but screamed at a prostate Talbot.
The Vale midfielder was clearly furious about the challenge and Robinson’s lack of contrition at the time. Talbot had ten months out of the game and had to have six metal pins inserted. Talbot was set to be another Rudge signing to move on to higher leagues but the challenge ended his realistic hopes of playing at a higher level – with Talbot playing out the rest of his career in Leagues One and Two.
Talbot successfully sued Robinson for a six figure sum and the player has subsequently regretted his action telling the Watford media – “It was a horrible incident. The club sent flowers on my behalf but, on reflection, I should have got in touch with him myself and spoke to him, but the club wanted to protect me as I was a young lad. I wish now I had gone to see him and spoke to him on the phone.”
Nevertheless, that apology clearly came too late for both Talbot and many Port Vale fans.
Obviously the club will want to appoint the best candidate for the job but how do they think any appointment of Robinson will go down with supporters? Here’s a comparison for fans who have only supported the club for a few years – it would be akin to giving the role to someone like former Swindon Town boss Ben Garner.
Can the club imagine the tabloid headlines and chants from rivals fans if they appointed a man who once broke a Port Vale player’s leg?
There’s no indication that this rumour is true. The club have not revealed which names are actually on their shortlist – but many older Vale fans will be furious if it contains a certain P.Robinson…
Geoff Meadowcroft
9th February 2024 @ 8:24 pm
Please do not even consider Robinson……that would be suicide Vale fans do not forget ….ever
Steve
9th February 2024 @ 9:23 pm
Robinson…Never
Ni-Jo
9th February 2024 @ 10:11 pm
I sat in the railway paddock that night and the tackle was more towards the Lorne Street. I heard the crack from my position ,it was sickening,and what did Robinson do ,virtually called him feigning the injury. The worst tackle I have ever witnessed at Vale Park in more than fifty years. Robinson no thanks .
Paddock Valiant
9th February 2024 @ 10:42 pm
This is one of very few appointments that would make me question my support of the club. This animal has no place in football and definitely not at PVFC. R
Warren
11th February 2024 @ 9:50 am
I was there that day. I saw the tackle close up. I have watched football live since 1977 at many grounds including Stoke, Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere. There is only one other tackle up there with it and that’s Stuart Pearce on Pat Nevin. So yes, now I have been reminded of who this dude is I will stop coming if he is appointed manager. Get the message fast.
Peter Junge
11th February 2024 @ 4:52 pm
If he came in I would walk out. I remember that game. Horrible incident