As is now customary, former Port Vale manager Andy Crosby has released a statement via the League Managers’ Association website. In it, Crosby thanks both the club and the fans.
Crosby, who had had two interim spells as manager was appointed on a permanent basis in the summer but was sacked in January after a poor run of form.
His full statement on the LMA website reads:
“To have been appointed as Manager of Port Vale Football Club was, and always will be, a proud achievement.
“After joining the club just over three years ago as Assistant Manager, my journey has been incredibly rewarding, from winning eight consecutive games and ensuring the club’s League Two survival to beating Mansfield Town in the 2021-2022 Play-Off Final.
“Prior to that momentous day, I was asked to take over on an interim basis. Defeating Swindon Town on penalties in the semi-final of the EFL League Two Play-Offs and leading the team out at Wembley are achievements that, with the players and the club, I will always be proud of.
“I would like to thank owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan, Director of Football David Flitcroft, and the Board for giving me the opportunity to become permanent manager in May last year. Our plan was to evolve the playing style and recruit from ‘category one’ clubs, whilst also creating a pathway for Port Vale academy players to progress into the first team.
“To say the opening game against Barnsley was a difficult start would be a slight understatement! However, the players, staff and fans all responded as one and we collected 16 points from our next six games, propelling us to second in the table. Sadly, we could not maintain that form. Injuries began to hit us hard and, despite being competitive against the powerhouses of League One, we found it challenging throughout October and November.
“Nonetheless, those injuries did provide an opportunity for some promising academy scholars, with the likes of James Plant (who by then had become a first team regular), Reece Walters, Jack Shorrock and Baylee Dipepa all making their first senior appearances. In all, we gave debuts to ten academy players and continued to provide a fantastic and promising pathway for players to grow and develop.
“We also advanced to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup for the first time in the club’s 127 year history. Alfie Devine, who we had brought in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, scored the winning goal in front of a packed away end at Mansfield. In December, we collected ten points from five games, which meant we were on track to meet our internal points target, sitting 14th in the League One table heading into the New Year.
“I would like to offer my thanks to the players, staff, owners and fans for their amazing support, hard work and enthusiasm during my time at the football club and wish the club all the best for the remainder of the season. I will use this period away from the game to improve my knowledge, skills and network of contacts and reflect on my time as Manager of Port Vale Football Club.
“I very much look forward to the next opportunity that lies ahead.”
Good man , good manager,
What a waste
A real gent who was dealt a poor hand through dire recruitment. A fall guy for Flitcroft who deserved better
A top honest man, the injuries did not help in his riegn at Port Vale,I firmly believe he was the scapegoat, for Dave Flitcroft, and also had a effect on the players, in his departure, I wish Andy all the best in the future.
Set up to fail by flitcroft. Vale will probably go down still. The owners have been blind sided for years by Flitcroft. We can’t say we were never warned.
I agree with the others hope he does well in the future
Crosby’s sacking seemed unjust at the time, given his overall record at the club as interim and permanent Manager. Dismissed yes, but there’s no way he will go down in the annals of the Vale’s history as a bad Manager. Injuries to key players and the early return of the England U21 loan players yanked the rug from beneath his feet, only then to be broadsided by Flitcroft’s failure to stand by him. Crosby is a very decent hard working man, whose reputation will stand the test of time with sympathetic supporters.
A decent man and excellent coach. Flitcroft ruined the Clarke and Crosby combination. Succes would’ve come had that idiot not had his way with his disastrous decisions. Good luck to AC!
Someway off recruiting from “Catergory One Clubs”
He was possibly promised that but Flitcroft let him down massively and without the fans would have continued with his disastrous “Process”. Woke nonsense, the New Training facilities will take over the intended Campus!
Good luck Andy unfortunately you were there when the Lunatic took over the asylum.
Clearly not as bad as made out. He was never, aside from the opening day, in the LG1 relegation zone as manager and has managed as much as the highly regarded Moore and his group of expensive support staff.
God knows why he gets most of the stick, as Carol hired Flitcroft and was responsible for the dire budget spent on the players we have.
Yep I agree with most of the comments a great coach and a gentleman, BUT, I am sorry he was no manager.He will get back into football as he knows where is talent lies.As for Flitcroft nobody will touch him with a barge pole, as for Carol, oh dear oh dear, I think you would,fall fort the DOF TRICK AGAIN, Flitcroft has set us back years, there are still fans staying away fro games, still Carol will be there telling us to buy a season tick , a shirt,a scalf.
All the best Andy in your next position which I have no doubt will be soon, you stepped up to help the club and that will not be forgotten. Thanks for all your efforts. A great sign off statement.
I am confident we would be in a better position now if ANDY CROSBY had stayed than we find ourselves in without him. When the lad arrived Clarke had taken only1pt from 8 games and Vale were heading to the national league. Our promotion season was to me down totally to ANDY CROSBY after we lost Clarke for personal reasons. Then last season when Vale couldn’t buy a win ANDY CROSBY stepped in to get us over the line. As for this season the damage was done before the first ball had been kicked, the squad wasn’t good enough for league two, yet he managed to get us up to second in league one. We had no forwards and he lost his entire midfield Ojo, Garrity, Devine and Arblaster through injuries and recalls when the wheels finally came off. In Carols open letter attempting to support and justify Flitcroft’s position at the club, every achievement and target met she claimed Flitcroft had masterminded, ANDY CROSBY was either assisting or at the helm. Yet his reward was to be sacked, only to be replaced with a manager with a worse record. The mind boggles ! If and when the Vale are relegated the buck lies firmly at the feet of Carol.