Port Vale FC have announced that long-serving defender Nathan Smith will leave the club in the summer.
The 29 year-old, who has twice won promotion with the side departs in seventh place in the club’s all-time appearances list with 428 appearances.
Smith was largely missing for the first-half of the season but bounced back to become a regular in the second part of the promotion campaign, his return coinciding with Vale’s improved form.
Vale manager, Darren Moore, said: “Nathan Smith has been an incredible servant to this football club and leaves with our very best wishes. I’m sure I speak on behalf of every Vale supporter when I say he will forever be part of the club.
“It’s hard for us all to say goodbye to such a top player and important character, but we feel this is the right time for Smudge to take on a new challenge.
“For this season to end in promotion is fitting, and we’re all delighted for him that he’s departing on the back of such a fantastic achievement for the club.”
Nathan Smith Factfile
Local lad Nathan Smith progressed through the youth ranks to earn a professional contract. In October 2014, he was loaned to Stafford Rangers to gain first-team experience.
In the summer of 2015 he agreed a new two-year contract with the club and was loaned to Torquay United for the whole of the 2015-16 season. After an outstanding loan spell he was named the Torquay player of the year.
He made his full debut in the 0-0 draw with Bradford City in August 2016 and scored his first goal in the 1-0 win over Rochdale later that month. He was nominated for the August League One player of the month award and in September 2016 the club announced that he had agreed a new three-year deal.
At the end of his first full season he won six awards at the player of the year awards including both the player and young player of the season awards. Smith then became a regular in the side from 2016 to 2020.
In the summer of 2020 there was speculation that an out of contract Smith would move to a higher placed club but he showed his faith in the Valiants by agreeing a new two-year deal in July 2020.
After playing a key role in helping the club to promotion in 2022, Smith’s contract was extended by a further year as he passed 300 appearances for the club.
He was yet again a consistent and reassuring presence at the back in 2022-23 and signed a contract extension at the end of the season. Named captain for the 2023-24 season, he passed 400 appearances for the club towards the end of the campaign.
He finished his Vale career by completing a second promotion in 2025. He departs with 428 appearances in a Vale shirt.
Gobsmacked best defender on the books hope we’ve got a nice surprise coming with top class replacement somebody like Saliba or him from Liverpool
I think that you are making a big mistake by letting smithie go he is a character for any forward player he could come up to any and he would do any player Big or Small in the air He has done mistakes like any player he is only human even the better players like Virgil van dijk can make mistakes just give another contract
Well i would to wish Nathan Smith all the best were ever he plays his football at any level
I’ve made no bones about my feelings on Darren Moore. Starting with the way we were relegated under him. He wasn’t set an impossible task, alls he needed to do was match the points gained by four of the teams below us, which he failed to do miserably. As for last season he had the backing and the squad to walk out of a poor league two, and at times did his very best to cock it up. If we loose both Smith and Chislett, two players who would have walked into any other league two team and a lot of league one teams, he needs his head looking at. Out of the four central defenders, 3 are identical with only Smith capable of doing a man to man marking job. He has proven his worth time and time again over the years in both league one and two. Smith does lack pace so you don’t leave him where he’s exposed, but regardless of how much the chips were down the one person you could rely on for a full blooded committed performance was Smithy. At 29 and the fact that he was always available the lad could easily had another 5 or 6 seasons in him. Personally I can’t wait for Moore to go !
For the people who might want to say I just have a personal dislike for Moore, can I just say I’ve never met the guy and I really wouldn’t care if Mr Blobby was our manager as long as he was doing in my mind a good job. To let Smithy go after his performances and possibly let Chislett go with his record is just weakening the squad, and as I say it’s just ridiculous!
An absolute legend this goes to prove that you get nothing for loyalty in football
I’m astonished at the Vale doing this to “ one of our own “
Nobody like playing against Smith and everyone says that
Good luck Nathan some club will be lucky to have you
Poor show Vale !!!!
Nathan Smith was a favourite of mine especially as a homegrown player. I would have thought he’d make a good squad player but Darren Moore is the manager and is paid to make key decisions. If he can bring in someone who is an improvement then fair play. If he doesn’t then he can expect criticism. Regardless, thanks Smudge for the hard work and memories and best of luck!
Smudge has been a great servant for the Vale over the years but the way the game has evolved he has been found out.
His bravery and courage cannot be questioned but his lack of pace is obvious to all. Many a time when we have wanted a fast break instead of playing the ball forwards he resorted to being a Chuckle Brother with the from me to you to me to you routine. So frustrating.
Like I say he has been a great servant but is time to go. He will get a contract somewhere pretty quick I should imagine.
Great lad great loyalty and does his job better than most you will be missed and I genuinely mean that !! BUT As a club we have to move forward and keep rebuilding we need more pace in the side let’s see who he brings in then we can judge they all must be proven at league one but any ambition in the club we need championship players to push on
I’d rather have Nathan Smith in our club than Darren Moore. A sad day for Port Vale. Hopefully Smudge will be back once DM is gone.
The most reliable and consistent player we’ve had in the first team over nine seasons released- senseless!
Hope Nathan gets a good offer from another club quickly. All the best Nathan.
A bit disappointing that Both Smithy and EC are leaving. We all know what Smithy brings to the club despite his pace issues. DM seemed reluctant to play Chislet who certainly looked good enough when we were in League 1. Let us hope there is some money under the bed and that it will be spent wisely.
I hope to god we get a decent replacement and we start the new season on a high.
If we start poor and start conceding a few goals Moore will get slated for letting Smith leave.
I just hope the lad gets a testimonial because it still leaves a nasty taste in the mouth that Popey didn’t get one for all he did for this club.
The more you think about this decision to release Smith, the more difficult it is to fathom. For footballing reasons, the only aspect mentioned is his apparent lack of pace. But, he’s only 29 ! His legs haven’t gone yet, and he’s still the same player who held his own in League 1 previously. What he lacks in natural acceleration and sprint pace, he makes up for with experienced positioning gained from over 400 games for the club. Perhaps there’s an element of mutual consent to his release. At 29 Smith surely wants regular first team starts, but Moore can’t guarantee it because he wants extra pace in his back line. Pity, because Smith will do a fine job in League 1 or 2 for another club for years to come. Is there a better free transfer defensive signing for those divisions right now ?
Chislett, Smith discarded and Ojo and others retained who are not up to scratch. Byers also retained and about as mobile as I am at 78″. Makes me wonder who comes in during the summer to improve on Smudge and Chizzy. Paton should be a starter alongside Stockley and Tolaj, and we must keep hold of Garrity and the likes of Walters, Shorrock, Debrah, Headley who are the future of the club.
Big mistake Moore he will be very difficult to replace don’t bring some stiff you have dug up in like some of your other signing thanks Nathan top man
I am heart broken to see nathan smith released from the vale. Surly he deserved another year at the vale. Good luck for the future Nathan, Darren Moore has just made a very big mistake.
Sad day for “The Family Club”
Oh Carol!
All the best no nonsense Nathan 😉 What a service to Port Vale and personally I for one will miss you lad and wish you all the very best in the remaing years of your football career. Thank you. I know smudge reads these too lol 😉 Any truth in the rumours your linked to Shrewsbury pal 😉