Opinion: like many fans I’m shocked and surprised by the club’s Clarke decision

The OVF editor gives his thoughts on the news that Darrell Clarke has been dismissed by Port Vale and says it smacks of a “kneejerk” decision.

Rob Fielding writes…

First things first, the Shanahans have invested millions into Port Vale and have done a lot of positive things for the Valiants. That gives them the right to be respected and for them to make decisions that they think are the right ones for Port Vale FC. However, it does not absolve them of being the subject of constructive criticism.

For me, the decision to remove Darrell Clarke with four games left and a day before their next first-team game, is an oddly timed and potentially highly damaging move…

For me, the decision to remove Darrell Clarke with four games left and a day before their next first-team game, is an oddly timed and potentially highly damaging move.

As one fan posted in the forum, it’s the sort of thing that “basketcase” clubs like Watford (always chopping and changing their managers) would do. There’s a lot to be said for continuity in football and there was every chance that, despite this awful run, Clarke could still have guided the club to safety and rebuilt the squad in the summer.

The club statement mentions discussions with “senior players” before the decision and that could be seen as a worrying development. With four red cards in recent games, many fans would argue it is the players letting the side down at the moment, not the manager.  If that’s the case then why should they have a say in his future?

There’s also the question of Director of Football David Flitcroft. He’s in charge of all footballing matters and that includes the club’s poor January transfer window which arguably made Clarke’s task a lot harder. Does the responsibility fall on the man at the top or the manager?

To many fans, the removal of Clarke will be seen as the departure of a scapegoat. After all, Clarke wasn’t directly responsible for the poor transfer window or for individual errors by players. However, undoubtedly the superb job done by assistant Andy Crosby last season also influenced the decision.

Crosby galvanised the squad during Clarke’s compassionate leave and arguably his ability to get the best out of the team helped the Vale into the play-offs. It looks like the Vale owners are hoping Crosby can do a similar job in a higher division. In the immediate term that looks a very tough ask with four players suspended for the game at Ipswich and the whole move looks to be something of a gamble.

Hindsight is a great advantage and in future years, this move may be seen as a masterstroke but right now with the news still raw it looks to be rash and kneejerk decision to remove someone a) not wholly responsible for the Vale’s problems right now and b) someone who could resolve them in time for next season.

In closing, I’d like to add my personal thanks to Darrell Clarke for his time at Vale Park. I never met him but he came across as someone with honesty, passion and drive for his job and someone who always gave 100%. His departure could be Vale’s loss and another club’s gain.