Another of our regular transfer round-ups featuring former Vale players and a former manager. This edition contains news on John Askey, Alex Hurst, Danny Whitehead, Zak Mills and Rhys Browne…
Truro unveil Askey as manager
Former Port Vale manager John Askey has a new managerial role after being appointed the new manager of National League South side Truro City.
It gives Askey the chance to complete a rare treble – having won promotion from the National League North and the National League, he now has chance of earning promotion from National League South.
Askey was in charge of the Valiants for two years, winning 33 of his 91 games.
Leek Town seal Hurst move
Newly promoted Northern Premier League Premier side Leek Town have confirmed the signing of Alex Hurst. The left winger joins after being released by Macclesfield. Hurst, 24, made 29 appearances for Port Vale in three seasons, including 20 League 2 appearances in the 2020/21 season while he has also made 38 National League appearances for York City. Leek Town host a friendly against the Valiants on 10th July.
Whitehead returns to Macclesfield
Macclesfield have confirmed that Danny Whitehead has returned to the club for the 2024/25 season. The 30-year-old midfielder has featured on loan multiple times throughout his career for Macclesfield Town. A former Stockport County, Salford City and Port Vale player, he was most recently at National League North side AFC Fylde, making over 82 appearances and scoring six times for the Coasters since joining in 2022.
Mills stays with Boston
Former Port Vale defender Zak Mills has signed a new contract with Boston United and will feature in the National League next season. Boston won promotion from National League North through the play-offs last season. Mills, who had a short spell with the Valiants in 2020 has now made 63 appearances for United.
Browne moves to Barnet
Former Valiants winger Rhys Browne has joined National League side Barnet on a two-year deal. Browne joined the Valiants in 2019 but left the club for family reasons and returned to the South East. He joins Barnet after scoring seventeen times in 53 games for Woking.
Rhys Browne was just beginning to click when he left.
Whitehead and Mills hideous and Hurst didn’t really do a lot but at least showed glimpses.
Agree with the above Browne has done well at least at NL level since he left, not surprised he’s gone to side like Barnet who perhaps have their eyes on getting back in the league a bit more than Woking/Wealdstone.
Whitehead and Mills were honestly two of the worst players I’ve ever seen and probably wouldn’t be far off an all time rubbish Vale eleven(or at least the bench). Sadly I can’t erase them from my memory! Hurst I always felt had promise surprised he hasn’t perhaps made more of a go of it in the national league. I actually didn’t realise he originated from north staffs, thought he was from yorkshire as we signed him from Bradford PA and then sold him to York. Good luck to him
Askey has about found his level of management. Perhaps he could sign Conlon who was woefully short of being a league one player. Previous Truro manager went to Torquay in the same league so a few good South West derbies coming up….yawn.
Pleased to see that John Askey is back in management. I was disappointed when the Vale dismissed him, but he followed that up with a brilliant promotion season at York City. One if the best National League managers around.
Yeah nice to see John Askey still involved in football wish him well and thought Rhyse Browne was unlucky that he had to move when he did