A concerned Port Vale fan has written an open letter to Port Vale co-owner Carol Shanahan asking the club to listen to the concerns of supporters and undergo a thorough recruitment process when appointing managers.
The club owners are under pressure to act following the club’s poor performance under Darren Moore, criticism of the club’s lack of communication and the player and managerial recruitment processes.
The letter, which was originally posted on the OVF forum, is reproduced in full below.
Dear Carol,
I’m writing this because I hope that, by setting things out clearly, you’ll understand why so many of us believe real change is needed in how Port Vale is being run on the football side.
First, thank you. You rescued this club when we were on our knees. The previous regime nearly finished us off, and your work in the community has been exceptional. The awards you and the club have received show how much good you’ve done, and we are genuinely grateful.
But while the off-field progress has been strong, the footballing decisions have repeatedly held us back.
The problems began the season after we were promoted under Darrell Clarke. That summer’s recruitment was poor and unbalanced, and many supporters recognised it straight away. Clarke was effectively working with his hands tied. He didn’t get the players or structure he needed, and the results reflected that.
Since then, the same pattern has repeated. We’ve appointed managers without proper due diligence or any real search of the wider market. Recruitment has been consistently weak, and even last summer – when we actually had a budget bigger than many around us – the significant investment only led to a limping promotion rather than a clear step forward. Season after season, the same structural issues have been allowed to continue, with no clear football leadership in place to break the cycle. Decisions are taken far too late to be effective.
After Clarke’s departure, Andy Crosby was given the job without a proper interview process, despite the poor performances under him as Interim. He then oversaw the worst opening-day result in our history and the longest winless run the club has ever endured.
When Crosby finally left, the club moved straight to Darren Moore – once again interviewing only one candidate. His recent record and the feedback from supporters of his previous clubs made the concerns obvious from day one. The football has been dull, the results have been worse, and we now find ourselves with yet another unwelcome record: six games without a goal for the first time in Port Vale’s history.
During this period, fans have repeatedly voiced concerns about how the football side is being run. Instead of open dialogue, we received an open letter that dismissed legitimate worries and treated us like naughty school children, followed by a post-match speech in the sponsors lounge secretly filmed assuring us we wouldn’t be relegated because you had spoken to the families of the coaching staff. That moment summed up the disconnect many supporters felt.
Promotion back to League One was welcome, but the football remained uninspiring and the recruitment this summer has again lacked clarity and purpose. Players have been signed then replaced within the same window, senior decisions have been inconsistent, and we continue to hear empty buzzwords instead of a clear plan.
Football fans can be demanding, but most of us aren’t asking for miracles. We want a club we can be proud of. One that listens, communicates honestly and shows that lessons have been learned. The fanbase has never connected with Darren Moore, and most worked that out at the end of the relegation season from league one.
So when Moore does eventually leave – hopefully before you even read this – I’m asking for something simple:
Please approach this appointment differently.
We’re not asking for huge spending or a big-name manager. What we want is a proper, thorough recruitment process. Speak to people inside the game. Do real due diligence. Look for a manager supporters can connect with and who can rebuild identity, belief and purpose.
This next appointment matters. Not just for staying in League One now, but for restoring pride and reconnecting the club with its supporters in the long term.
We don’t expect perfection. We just want to feel proud to be Port Vale supporters again.
Yours sincerely
A concerned supporter
What do you think of these thoughts? Agree or disagree? Post a comment below.
Well said LISTEN to the FANS .
What game did DM watch we were trying I’ll give the players that nobody sets out to be useless but Vale definitely were couldn’t give any player above rating of 1 (and that was for putting their boots & strips on)tactics team selection woeful just don’t know where next goal or clean sheet will come from & that includes Bristol Rovers cup tie come on lads prove me wrong UTV
Well said. I’m sure every supporter will agree with the content. I await a reply from the ostriches., but not holding my breath.
I remember twice during John Rudges time at the helm we went 19 games without winning. Perhaps Carol should talk to John Rudge and ask him to help.
Totally agree what’s been said and put over really well. I said from the start he has brought in to many players, and most of them are div 2 at best. We get done down the flanks and just outside the d of our area every week due to poor defending by all. Why can’t moore see this, then up front again div 2 players except cole. The rest just not good enough for this league. So hopefully we get someone in sort this out before it’s to late and off load most what we have, and get in a better footballer
Well said that man everything is spot on.
Unfortunately I don’t think they have any intention of change.
Ideally we need a new manager in before the January transfer window.
A new manager could assess the squad and make the changes needed.
I do think under the right man this or most of this squad are quite capable of keeping us in league 1.
A big part of the problem is quite a few players have lost respect for darren moore mainly due to dropping players and playing them out of position.
Let’s just hope carol sees what’s happening and listens to the supporters.
Moan,moan,moan,heard and seen it all before,nowt new,after all this is VALE,,DM,is the man for the job,and he will KEEP US UP,and prove all the moaners WRONG,,,,,BUT thats my oppinion,a supporter of over 60 years GET BEHIND THEM,INSTEAD OF KNOCKING THEM,STARTING,,,,TUESDAY
The league table tells it all. If we had another eight points we would be in position of 20th. Just out of the relegation bottom four. The team just keeps on failing to score a goal and against Lincoln last Saturday only had one shot on target. Relegation now seems unescapable unless a new manager can instil some confidence into the players with better attacking idea’s and different tactical play.
No surprise the owners are taking the heat with the club rock bottom after no goals in 6 consecutive games. Clearly they regard Moore as having “credit in the bank” after gaining promotion. In essence I agree with the letter, with reservations. Was Moore really appointed without due diligence? His poor Huddersfield record was well known, but did Carol focus on his win rates at WBA, Doncaster, and his Sheffield Wednesday League 1 promotion to decide he’s our man ? The mistake was allowing Moore to stockpile too many players last summer, creating surplus and an unbalanced squad. But, some signings have been very good, including Cole brought in to replace Tolaj. While most of us agree that Moore should be replaced, I haven’t read a single post to even suggest who should replace him. I’m not sure who it should be, although if Ian Evatt hadn’t recently been snapped up by Blackpool I would have backed his appointment. I think the squad is good enough to steer clear of relegation, and hope supporters vociferously get behind the team to encourage improvement in results.
I think as a fan, I was happy we got us back to league one. So yes I did connect with him I was intrigued to see how he will do this season. However he is definitely out of his depth and there is definitely something wrong with players not performing. I have been hearing that we don’t have the players. If we didn’t have the players then Arsenal would have scored more against us. Thats my argument. I agree Darren Moore is a great guy but he needs to go not because I hate him but because we need a manger who will get the players fighting for survival.
Paul Cook is the man to replace Moore. Mark my words.
We all agree with the contents of the letter,please please now do something about it show us your teeth
Well Rob, thanks for printing the letter it covers everything true vale fans think about the current situation. Carol and family have been a true life saver for the club and we would probably playing non league football had they not stepped in. But it does seem they are unable to see the bigger picture regarding the football side of the club. The current has a long contract and he knows that, constantly bigging up the players and using every excuse under the sun. We all the love the vale and its sad to see us heading back to league 2.UTV
Vale fans must really be the most miserable in the Football League. The alternative to boycotting cup games or ‘I’m not going until Moore’s gone’ is actually getting behind THE FOOTBALL CLUB and trying to MAKE something happen on the pitch. Get behind them. Support them. Too many people turn up for home games and just sit there like it’s a funeral instead of creating anything resembling an atmosphere. I understand about playing for professional pride but good grief, give them something to feed off. Can you imagine turning up for home games to be greeted by what they are given? And this isn’t a ‘this season issue’.
People having a pop at Carol, she’s not perfect but she’s backed the manager. Who do people think pays George Byers wages for example? Do you think it’s the 6 or 7000 people who can be bothered turn up when we’re not on the verge of winning promotion? Anyone can turn up and pay a tenner get in when we’re virtually up but how about people backing them when we’re up against it? And when I say it against it, I mean 4 points from safety in a better league than last season. Do you think whoever comes next will have the club at heart more than Carol? Not much chance. Who’s going subsidise the club like her, and then write off what money she will have lost? I’m pretty sure the vast majority would have chosen the name Darren Moore when the list of potential replacements for Crosby were doing the rounds. So she went out and got him. 5 year contract in hindsight was too much, but maybe she needed do that to attract him. And if he’d done well and we all loved him then we’d have been protected cos he’d have been under contract. It’s looking like a mistake at the moment but that’s the roll of the dice.
Are they underachieving? In my opinion yes. Is Moore the right man for the job? I’m inclined towards thinking no. Are we dead and buried? No we are not.
We can either get down there and back them, back THE FOOTBALL CLUB, or we can roll over, not turn up and whinge. I know which one I would like it to be but also know which one it will be, and it’s pathetic. I love my club, it’s where I’m from and what I’m all about, so I know what I’ll be doing and shame on you if you don’t.
A lot of assumptions by a lot of people on a lot of subjects they have absolutely no insight on, the letter was written from one point of view, with the same pre meditated opinion of a section within the fan base, that was held before a ball was kicked this season. Now, that said, it is a result based business and from that stand point, legitimate questions should be asked about the managers future.
I think problems go deeer than people think, I have heard that Carol and s having to put considerable amounts of money into the club, I seriously think that DM had insisted that if sacked he will want his ridiculous contract paying up god knows how much that would be, so if we were to get a new manager I cannot see that he would get money to rebuild without getting rid of any number of players and let’s face it if they are not good enough for us who will want them. Other things that are puzzling, if you go on Port Vale on match days in the last few weeks we can now no longer get the line ups or match stats, also the ongoing dispute with the Sentinel on line this is not othe case with our neighbours, also you cannot listen to local radio via the internet on smart speakers that most people use? By the way I am a supporter of over 60 years and have see every high and low (Not enough highs) I cannot remember the club being pulled apart like this. As I’ve said before I have only admiration for the Directors and realise it cannot be easy to run two businesses, but I think that they have been badly advised it’s time to apply the same principles that made them successful businesses people l know that I n my working life if I’d have done as badly as DM I’d have been down the road. I don’t think DM will resign as this is probably his last chance saloon as other clubs won’t employ anyone else with his actual record and disregard and disdain for supporters who he seems to think don’t understand Football. PS you can get the stats on the BBC site they make interesting reading especially shots on target 0!
Spot on tbh
Unfortunately the only way that fans can properly protest is to vote with their feet and I think this will happen.Apart from a few moments the football has been dull and uninspiring-slow sideways passing then a hoof upfield to no one in particular.Are Steve Evans or Neil Warnock available-at least they would get some fight and aggression out of the Vale-something sadly lacking at oresent
Bob, can you enlighten me on why voting with their feet is better than turning up and directing any anger etc at the relevant people?
Please listen carol to the fans. The best thing you can do for the fans and the club is move forward without Darren
Going down again
Who picks the team looks like out off a hat
It’s not the only way to protest Bob….
Fans could have a sit protest at the end of the game.
They could not get to their seats until 5 minutes into the game for example (as in the 5 year contract).
Anything at all other than abandoning them, surely.
There is only one opinion, that of the public consensus.
She either listens and takes what is obvious to 99% of fans, or the demise of PVFC follows in the next year’s of this inadequate manager.
If we get a new manager if he’s out of work you wonder why. i can’t see a manager having a successful season so far wanting to leave and come to a struggling team.we don’t want a young up and coming manager we need experience so who is there out there
This is our 150th anniversary year and if we carry on with the same approach, we will go down. We need change and we need it now. I’ve been supportive of Darren Moore’s approach until now but I’m now tired of a different lineup most weeks, tactics that see us passing side to side without moving forward and pressing incisively and substitutions that leave many fans baffled. It also has a demoralising effect on the players which shows on the pitch. We need change, real and urgent change and we need it now or we’ll be miserably relegated in what should be a season of celebration. I don’t care if it’s a new manager or a complete change in Darren Moore’s approach. Either way, Carol needs to get a grip of this and do it now.
Thought it was only me who thought DM was a terrible decision.he needs to go.fast
you can have my spot, any time you want Jamo, I pay to be entertained by the club I’ve supported for 65 years, not to watch the. Rap that Mr Moore turns out., I know my team are not going to win every game, that’s football.I don’t pay to watch my team made to look a laughing stock, by its own manager.As for Carol she employed this man, I went along with her for a while,she was front and centre when we got promoted Now you can see her for the dust.She has got this so called manager in at Port Vale , I would say without due diligence, so She has to pick the pieces up,what happens now she sends Hancock out to talk a load of drivel, we told Carol last season what would happen with Moore, and now it’s hit the fan.Were are you Carol, YOU EMPLOYED THIS MAN WHO DOES NOT NOW HIS A%se from his Elbow.If you have a petroleum tank you don’t keep fueling it.As for actually signing footballers to do a job he has failed miserably.He was moaning that the team were not getting the ball to Cole quick enough so he could score, well he wouldn’t screw from the left flank, WHERE PLAYED HIM.I can not watch the Vale under this man, so I vote with my feet.Moore talks rubbish and his tactics are rubbish, if he wants to pay my season ticket etc then I still would not turn up to watch the none league players he has in the side.”GET SHUT OF MOORE WE WILL SUPPORT THE NEW MAN”.
I’m a bit of an old git and have been going well over 60years and I do agree with Jamo about supporters needing to stay behind the players. When I was first taken down the Vale we would regularly get gates of 12000-15000 which wasn’t much less than Stoke, and I’ve also seen them decline to below the 3000 mark. At present we have so I’m told around 6500 season ticket holders, and if Vale are to grow these fans need to stay with the club. I go every week and it’s not a pleasant watch and for me hasn’t been since Darren Moore walked through the door but it’s our club and either we want it to grow or die.
This is an incredibly patronising letter to a very successful business woman and owner of our football club.
Having read the open letter I like most agree with the majority of it but there are things I don’t. For me Crosby was basically giving no chance with the signings Flitcroft made. He was forced to start the season with no fit forwards. After not retaining the unfit Wilson, we basically resigned him days before the season started because we couldn’t afford anyone else, and he was supposed to be Crosbys main striker. We went into that season with a paper thin squad made up of injury prone strikers and kids making the numbers up. The 7-0 start was the evidence of how poor the squad was which Crosby had no say in, and to bounce back from that and keep us out of the bottom 4 was an achievement in its self. If you want to say Clarke was let down by the owners Crosby was hung out to dry before a ball was kicked. As for our owners, our financial losses are disturbing to say the least, and they continue to make mistake after mistake which add to these losses. To replace Garlick with Hancock, the Flitcroft situation allowing him to run the club, to replace Crosby with a manager who had a worse record than him (2wins in 20odd games) you couldn’t make it up. Then to finally get rid of Flitcroft and then allow Moore take total control, give me strength. The list of injury prone players he has signed or players recovering from lengthy injuries is unbelievable, that’s part of why there’s no pace in the team, he’s signed 7 forwards most of whom either have never played at this level or have no proven goal scoring record. The whole running of the football club is just ridiculous and yes it does start at the top because they are making all the decisions! I know running a football club isn’t easy but judge us on the likes of Stevenage and Lincoln to name a few. It can be done if people at the top make the right decision.
We all agree with the contents of the letter,please please now do something about it show us your teeth.All revenues will substantially reduce. Attendance,shop sales match day takings etc after building up substantially last season.All at risk if manager is retained
We should all stop moaning and get behind the management and team, does everyone in your work place boo you and be disrespetful when your having it tough no your friends and workplace try and build you up abd support you.DM should stay and things will get better we can all see the luck is not with us but we are fighting every match to turn it round. Even the big clubs struggle to. Vale fan 57 years and counting up the Vale
Inconsistency of team selection chopping abd changing .We can understand why when injuries or illness occurs ..With so many players the Vale have and far to many at that another expensive issue. Playing 29 players so far this how the hell can there be consistent it simply doesn’t happen .successful teams are pretty much the same apart from injuries suspension week in week out .Not at the Vale dose DM know what is best team is I very much doubt it.Transfer window us coming soon and Vale need to be harsh and rid of at least 8 players and bring in a couple, bring back to youngsters who are out on loan