“the worst of both worlds” – a review of how Port Vale’s loaned out players are faring

Port Vale have six senior players (we’re not including loans for the youth team) out on loan. We take a look at how their spells have gone so far.

It’s fair to say the results are a mixed bag with some players getting valuable game time, others hamstrung through injury and others struggling to get into the matchday squad.

Here’s our review.

Sam Hart (joined Falkirk on loan in September 2025)

The left wingback has struggled for gametime in Scotland. He was unluckily sidelined for eight weeks through concussion and on his return, he has struggled to make the starting eleven.

• Verdict: a failure due to injury
• Appearances: 2 starts, 5 sub appearances
• What the future holds: Hart is highly likely to be released when his Vale contract expires

Jesse Debrah (joined Bromley on loan in January 2026)

The powerful defender seems to have landed on his feet, swapping Vale’s relegation fight for a promotion charge with relative newcomers Bromley. League Two seems to suit Debrah well and he could be on target for a second successive promotion. Not only that but should Bromley go up, out of contract Debrah could potentially be a summer signing and thus swap divisions with his former Vale colleagues.

• Verdict: a personal success for the player
• Appearances: 11 starts
• What the future holds: out of contract in the summer, Debrah could end up a permanent Bromley player

Marko Marosi (joined Tranmere Rovers for two emergency loan spells)

Marosi’s career at Vale Park has looked doomed since the first quarter of the season. However, he’s had a stroke of luck with injuries to two Tranmere keepers allowing him some rare first-team football. The veteran has now made more appearances for Rovers than he has for his parent club and we can imagine he’s probably delighted to be back on the pitch.

• Verdict: a good move for Vale and the player
• Appearances: 10 starts
• What the future holds: difficult to predict, Marosi is still under contract for another year. Will Jon Brady keep hold or move on, perhaps on loan?

Ruari Paton (loaned to St Johnstone in January 2026)

The Irish striker’s spell at Vale Park has been a real mixed bag. He still has another year on his contract but with two spells in Scotland, his future looks decidedly unsure. Paton has looked accomplished at Championship level with St Johnstone, clocking up regular appearances and scoring twice. It’s possible that should the club win promotion they make a permanent move for the forward and Paton’s mixed spell in Burslem comes to an end. If they don’t the future for the 25 year-old looks much less uncertain.

• Verdict: a good move for Paton
• Appearances: 8 starts, 2 sub appearances, 2 goals
• What the future holds: a permanent move to St Johnstone looks a strong possibility

Rico Richards (loaned to Walsall in September 2025)

It’s fair to say this has been a weird season for the youngster all round. He initially signed a two-year deal with Vale and it was a shock to then see him head out to Walsall on a season-long loan. Even if it was a success, he would then have just one year to prove himself enough to earn a new Vale deal. However, fans did at least expect Rico to get significant gametime at Walsall and that has proved to not be the case – thus meaning the worst of both worlds for the playmaker. Richards has made just one League start all campaign. With Jon Brady having replaced Darren Moore, his future at the club is up in the air.

• Verdict: a disaster of a season
• Appearances: 5 starts (just one in the League) and 8 sub appearances, 2 goals
• What the future holds: difficult to predict it depends a lot on Jon Brady’s assessment

Mitch Clark (loaned to Fleetwood in January 2026)

The wingback’s move to League Two was one of the more controversial as Clark had his fans among Vale supporters. Some argued he was the strongest option on the right flank and should have been maintained while rumours circled about the reasons for the move. Whatever the reason, Clark has bedded down comfortably at Fleetwood. Out of contract in the summer, it seems highly likely he will exit the Valiants in the summer.

• Verdict: a good move for the player, some controversy among the fanbase
• Appearances: 7 starts and 3 sub appearances
• What the future holds: highly likely to be released in the summer

What do you think will be the fate of the Port Vale players out on loan? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.