The Port Vale board of Directors have released a statement to fans saying they “understand and share the frustration and disappointment” that supporters are feeling following relegation.
After a disastrous season, relegation was confirmed following a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City and Port Vale will start next season back in League Two.
The full statement is reproduced below.
Dear Valiants,
Before we speak publicly, we want to speak to you directly and openly about where the club is and what you can expect going forwards.
First and foremost, we want to say that we understand and share the frustration and disappointment you’re feeling, after our relegation from League One was confirmed last night. All season, home and away, you’ve continued to show outstanding support and, put simply, we haven’t matched that often enough with our league performances on the pitch.
It hasn’t been the season any of us wanted or expected, and we take responsibility for that.
There’s a lot that remains strong within our football club, but we know that on the pitch, we have ultimately fallen short and have to improve. Our promise to you is that we will work to improve the club’s football structure and long-term plan; that’s our priority, and that is what we’re already focusing on ahead of next season.
That work has not been driven by this week’s outcome alone, but by recognising that we need to change things in order to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for the future.
We have already spent time reviewing the operations of our football department and we will provide a full update that outlines the changes in due course. We will also give you further information on the significant investment into infrastructure to support the first-team, including the installation of a SIS pitch.
In the immediate term, our focus is on ensuring we have the right football structure in place to support better decision-making, finalising a thorough review of recruitment processes and squad development, and resetting standards and expectations across all areas of the football side of the club.
We’re determined to respond in the right way and understand that words alone won’t change how you feel today, but felt it was important to let you know how we’ll be tackling the challenge ahead going into next season.
We remain as committed as ever, and our responsibility now is to deliver through actions.
Jon Brady has already given us a renewed sense of purpose and belief since joining the club, and he will receive our full backing this summer to deliver a new era for Port Vale.
Thank you, Valiants, for your continued support. We’re extremely grateful to each and every one of you, and look forward to sharing more with you soon.
The Board of Directors
OK let’s see what you do for the football, that’s FOOTBALL CLUB. Talk is cheap, I as a Vale fan will give it a go and hope you keep your side of the bargain. UTV.
Let’s tell the mugs what WE think they want to hear !!! Then just carry on in the same old way with our heads buried in the sand!
Ian before a ball is kicked next season we the supporters, the backbone of the club,will know if the board has kept its word, there needs to be a complete refit of the team.Not one penny of my money will enter that club if there are no changes and I mean big changes and no Carol I will not be spending £50 on a shirt, yes all the prices will go up, I just hope Vale do as well
Do we have a board I thought it was Carol and office staff that ran the club nothing against Carol or family.
Same old same old platitudes it has taken until relegation for anything to come from the club Too Little Too Late We all know the problem was the arrogant useless manager DM but the football under out of work cheap and cheerful Jon Brady hasn’t really changed and that is the problem some of the worst football l’ve seen in 60 + years and we’ve seen some rubbish over the years but this was one of the most clueless bunch. The supporters want money on the pitch not money spent buying land for an SIS potch whatever that is? What has happened to all the money from cup runs transfers shirt sales and higher season ticket sales? If nothing alters in 2 years we could have the best ground and training pitches in non league!
Like i said months ago! Sadly after 50 years of supporting and proud to be a life long supporter, sadly you cannot blur the lines. It is a team made up of over the hill freebies who clubs don’t want. Whoever decided to take on forwards who cannot hit a barn door. Our club has sadly stopped at the midfield stage. Our forward line has been absolutely shocking. I am well and truly out, my shirt is in the drawer, my well earned money will no longer be spent on PVFC!!!
The imperatives over the close season are appoint an experienced Director of Football I have no idea who we should be targeting but somebody with plenty of experience like John ,Darren Ferguson or Steve Evan’s (probably missed out on him now) . Fix the pitch already in hand but get it right this time, if we haven’t already done so negotiate a good shirt sponsorship deal, sign two forwards capable of getting between 10 & 15 goals in a season, a creative midfielder, big center half, and a goalkeeper .
This is not an exhaustive list but Hopefully this would lead us to strongly challengeing for promotion next season