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Will preface this by saying I consider Pope a legend, and the only one of my lifetime. Poor words, not that I'm surprised. He seems unable to comprehend that he went from captain to not playing at all as he just wasn't doing much on the pitch anymore (pre-injury). He would play and have negligible positive impact, being completely immobile and having lost the spring and aggression that characterised his prime. His goal return was average-poor, with him scoring in two league matches last season and four the season prior. He scored in six league games out of fifty one, and has given an interview absolutely BAFFLED that he wasn't playing anymore, ascribing it to a lack of loyalty from his employers forking out good money for a poor return on investment. He seems to think that he was delivering but, due to a lack of 'loyalty', was dropped. No, Tom. You didn't really do enough to out-compete the likes of Cullen, Bennett, or Rodney over the last two seasons. Nine league goals in two seasons isn't good enough. Scoring in five out of fifty one games isn't good enough. For him to completely brush over bringing the club into international disrepute by spending his nights on alt-right conspiracy theory videos and then, with a huge platform, decide to regurgitate them onto social media at 1am, and not think that maybe he has to look at himself for his decline, is a really poor look for him. Did he really think that was the actions of a captain? And that maybe that had a role to play in him not being captain anymore, as he'd been warned several times by Carol and the FA prior to his ban? Does he feel owed something? He played well and earned good money, as football works. We didn't owe him anything. He was well remunerated for his services and chose to leave, of his own accord, to be even better remunerated at Bury. We didn't start kicking off in the press, lambasting a lack of loyalty. Tom Pope didn't owe us anything and Port Vale FC didn't owe him anything. He wasn't an EFL standard player anymore, hence being barely used then released. That's how it works. Nothing to do with loyalty or honesty I'm sure I'll get stick for this as his contributions on the pitch will be remembered for a long time, but Tom has managed to absolve himself of any responsibility for his diminishing minutes and eventual release, despite an FA ban, several warnings from the club for his awful use of social media, and being, at best, an average League 2 striker at this stage of his career. None of this is his fault - it's somehow the club's fault for not being 'loyal'. He's absolutely deluded in this 'I can still do a job' mentality, as he outright failed to do so for 12 months. Obviously, this has wound me up. He's presented the club in a poor, unrepresentative light. A sour end to a great Port Vale career. He seems to think that it's everyone else's fault he got released. Hope he gets his testimonial and the sendoff he warrants, and maybe is more careful with his words in future and looks a bit closer to home when ascribing blame, not that he's shown any aptitude for that to this point in his career.

The time had come for Tom and Vale to part ways, I've got no doubt about that. But comments like "found his level," you must be joking surely? Tom's gone there because its local, he's around lads he knows and he can carry on despite that injury. I can't fault him one bit. As I say, the time was right, but it's just outright disrespectful to have a sly pop at a genuine club legend to come out with comments like that. The guy is our post war record goalscorer and, despite losing some of his presence on the field over the last couple of years of his career, gave his absolute all for the vale in every game. Why stick the boot in? Just don't get it.

Quite sad really that the first thing in some people’s minds is to come on here and gloat that a player that did so much for us is now playing non league and also to have a dig at other fans who thought he’d be worth another years deal. All because they think it vindicates their opinion to not renew him. As already stated the “found his level” comments are nothing but disrespectful and unnecessary. Well done lads 👏

He’s found the level where it doesn’t need a medical on a shoulder injury that happened playing for our club where in the game it happened he played on with a very serious injury that has ended his pro career

A bit rich coming from one of Clarke's biggest critics. I am not slagging him off, I thought it was relevant as Hartlepool are in our league and he's on trial there. You obviously didn't click on the story as the Hartlepool manager criticised most of the trialists but not by name. You carry on slagging off our recruitment instead and your doom and gloom outlook on our manager. Laughable reply which incredibly got 3 likes.

What a cracking career he has had. Some ups and some downs but he has done us proud. HE IS A VALE LAD who has given his all for the Vale. If Rodney, Wilson etc give us half the commitment Tom gave us i will be happy. If they score half the goals i will be happy but that remains to be seen and i have my doubts. It was time to go for Tom. We cant do anything about that Good luck Popey lad. Go on playing as long as you possibly can, so long as you still enjoy the buzz of the game. You started as a young kid in a mans game, hope you now finish as an owd man in a mans game. Move in to management if thats your wish and whatever level you are at, ENJOY Thanks for everything Tom

Think hes signed for them from what ive heard, wish the lad well never got a sniff at vale rumours never confirmed to be true i think he just didnt fit in for whatever reason that is. Got no hard feelings towards McKirdy personally

Alright Glenn

Why would you want to be slagging off Cullen when he is not our player anymore and it is probably not him?

It's August 2035. Vale have just beaten Charlton 2-0 at home, at the new redeveloped Vale Park. Tom Conlon is the manager. Phil manages to find some way to steer the post match thread towards the subject of Tom Pope, who has been retired for 12 years.

Another thing he's not very good at.

No one, absolutely no one, is bigger than the club Sorry TP Thanks for the memories

I'm not going but seems to be a general shambles around the sale. No online sales? Are we in the 20th century? The whole concept of traipsing down to VP is nice for some who have the time I guess, but an absolute faff/inconceivable for a lot. Assume it's to get people to turn up for the away kit thing. Queuing 1 hour+ for tickets for a League 2 game is daft. I was hoping I'd never have to do it again after Salford in 19/20. That's not to mention an hour's notice on a weekday and not enough people on the phones. Classic Vale. Get online ticket buying set up, ideally with a loyalty scheme points system for ST holders + regular buyers (as has been mooted for ages); hire staff to focus on phone sales for obviously busy games; give several days notice for when sales will open so people can play ahead.

I wouldn't swop our current situation for a vanity project like Wrexham.

Popey is an absolute Vale legend. His ability, footballing brain and all those goals, and the fact that he's got black and white blood and a Valiant heart put him right up there with the very best that have played for The Vale! The goals, the celebrations, the promotion, the awards, the tweets... Tom Pope will never be forgotten. His terrible injury that night, the circumstances of how he played on, speak volumes about how much the club means to him. A cushy little retirement job down the road at Congleton is a nice way to end his career, playing for RD and alongside GR. I'll be making the effort to go and see him play again when I get the chance. A testimonial from The Vale should be given so we can all thank him properly and give him a great send-off! UTV!

I was already undecided whether I would attend a testimonial for TP - which I thought he deserved. But, at no time after he was released did he turn round and thank the fans, and the club for supporting him through his ban, and injury and his obviously declining form, over the last 2 years. Now - with this vile outburst - he has dumped on all those who supported him...because of their loyalty to him. So, definitely, not a penny more from me goes to his pocket, and the most recent memories of his time at the Vale are not great!

With this interview Tom has confirmed that his brains are in his feet.

He had clubs after him, he took advice , he’s honest and took the advice, it’s you who pedals vindictive unsubstatsntiated crap

If the injury was that bad, wouldn't he get paid out by his insurance? Yet he came back and played against Grimsby and Mansfield despite it ending his pro career ? Some people won't let go will they. His time was up it was as straightforward as that

Which one of your names you having then? You’ve had so many 😂

I've lost a family member very soon after taking the vaccine, admittedly elderly but she was on medication to control seizures. The seizures came back closely followed by a stroke from which she didn't recover. I appreciate the vaccine may have saved lives and covid is dangerous to some but you'll perhaps forgive me for being sceptical of how it reacts with other medications people might be on. I won't say anymore on the matter as we'll probably have to agree to disagree, but everyone should have a choice when it comes to issues like this.

Smith or gibbons on the back?

Why is he daft if he has a medical condition and doesn't know how it might react with medication he's already on? Plenty of other people in his shoes I'd imagine, I don't blame him.

Agreed. He could have expressed disappointment but shown his ‘gratitude’ to the fans, yet he can’t even pay lip service to those who have helped swell his sizeable pay packet. It’s taken him 3 months to come out with this bitter rant without a word of thanks. if many of his performances over the last 2 years had been delivered by Barnett, Quigley, Bennett, Guthrie, Robinson there would have been page after page of dogs abuse, but it was largely forgiven because it was Tom. He was a regular during the bad run that led to Askeys sacking, and if this was his attitude no doubt a big part of any dressing room disruption that was part and parcel of this. Leaves a very sour taste from a bitter player who was way past his sell by date. Norm left us saddled with a contract a year too long, Carol could have sacked him for his Twitter antics, and yet he has had no loyalty! Delusional and self centred. And yet some still believe the club could have progressed with him involved with his very jaundiced views!

And to think some actually thought he would be a good character in the dressing room as 3rd/4th choice striker! Would have done wonders for team morale/bonding (not) with his poisoned/distorted reality that everything should still be ‘All about Tom Pope’ when his contribution has been negligible at best, and woefully inadequate in reality if it wasn’t been delivered by Tom Pope, but by another striker. What ‘job’ did he think he was delivering? Fancy being expected to train all week as a professional footballer? Fancy squad players being expected to stay fit to keep the tempo in training up / influence matches when called upon / put pressure on others to perform to their best, but support and pass on knowledge for the greater good of the club? What does he think all his teammates have done for all these years? And to think they are expected to do this for a miserly £100k per annum! Over his 9 years at the Vale alone I assume he has taken away well in excess of £1m, as the Wilde’s contract was far more remunerative. On this occasion he cannot even put it down to a heat of the moment tweet, as this has no doubt been simmering for a long time. If it was that bad under Askey then you could have moved on. Tremendous parting shot Tom - really shown your true class there, unlike Monty / Brown / Joyce and Cullen, who have less of a tie to the club but parting statements were quality. Hit yourself in the pocket there pal - testimonial numbers will be down, and rightly so as you still haven’t thanked the fans for their support (and in turn paying your sizeable wages).

The thing that I liked about Cullen was the fact that he didn’t just wait up top to get the ball he’d drop off just in front of midfield, holding the ball and linking up play, at the same time drawing a defender out. In the long term thought Mark didn’t offer us value for money. Good luck to him.

I think I follow what you're saying but if our highest profile players from last year have gone to Exeter as a coach, Fylde and Congleton, I think it vindicates our decision to release the lot. Not sure if McKirdy has signed or if he's on trial.

Wish we could make a signing, to much drivel on this thread

Not daft at all, he makes a fair point, scientists have hardly covered themselves in glory throughout any of this. It also says in the splurge a fever can heighten the risk of a seizure. It may be a small risk but if generally he is fit and well, why would you potentially bring that upon yourself when like most people his age he's extremely low risk to Covid?

Just read this. Embarrassing from a club “legend” not a surprise though given his previous antics on Twitter. Comes across as a right ****. I found it odd that players like Joyce, brown and Monty thanked the club and can manage to come out and thank the club, fans ect after just a couple of years and pope, supposedly a club legend didn’t say anything what so ever. It’s extremely bitter and really poor from him. Not read the rest of the thread yet but imagine the usual suspects have been leaping to his defence again. Embarrassing comments from a very bitter Man! Will give any testimonial a miss. This guy has had more support than any other player I can think of. If he was <ovf censored> for 20 games In a row he would still be backed by the masses and have ‘feed the pope and he will score’ and he can’t even say thank you. As above it really Dosent surprise me considering his other Twitter posts. I find his loyal posts extremely disrespectful. He could have been dealt with much harsher by the club for his comments and he’s also been injured for a fair period so no idea what he’s getting at there. The club stuck by him through injury and through his <ovf censored> comments, and even his poor performances for the last two years and he can’t even say thank you. lost a lot of respect. Just lacks any kind of class what so ever. Think we’ve found the potential issue in the changing room!!!!

There are some deluded ones who will be out in force no doubt. Yet there are one helluva lot of managers at both our level and the several layers between us and Congleton who have opted not to enlist his services!

Complete and utter rubbish! We have sold 700, they have sold 300.

The fans have supported him through absolutely everything good and bad He can’t even say thank you to them Not good at all

Not loyal? He'd have been shown the door much earlier at other clubs after his persistent foolish tweeting. Also, respect is something that is confered upon you by other people,not something you can just demand. Whatever he was as a player he has no class as an individual.

That was a complete shambles by Vale. We need to get this sort of thing sorted. It's not hard. Why cant we buy online? Why cant we phone? Why just randomly decide they are on sale today? And another, why does the shop have to shut for about 3 days every time we have a new top?

Didn't the Sentinel's holding group make lots of redundancies and reporters like Baggers were left to cover several clubs (I'm sure he was doing Chester articles)? Local journalism is in the mud.

I'm hoping not Andy as Northampton is 98 miles away from Vale Park, I doubt we will see much of the action.

Great interview. Comes across as a very intelligent player and a nice bloke. No wonder he was so liked by the Torquay fans. Just hoping he does as well on the pitch.

There’s a hole in the matrix. Covolan doesn’t know what an oatcake is.

Evening chaps, your allocation should be around 8/900 behind the goal and then 3-400 if needed in the East Stand. Don’t think the pandemic should change much, Forest had 935 away fans for our friendly on Tuesday. Be worth looking to see how many Birmingham bring on Saturday as well. But definitely won’t be capped at 650

Maybe he has shown that after the Vale he wants to remain local. TBH Think your comment a bit disrespectful to a guy who is the Vale's post war record goal scorer.

I don't think people are nasty mate. I made quite a lengthy post a couple of weeks ago about Pope. I won't bore you with it but it was full of praise and great memories. However football is ruthless, his time was up. I was actually sick of seeing his name, a poster on here was obsessed with him re-signing. We move on , people aren't nasty merely realistic . I think you should be less touchy about things

Without any doubt Top Pope was a legend! did fantastic for us, I would always thank him for what he did for us and buy him a pint. Tom as with a lot of our 20/21 squad there time was up ! We move on as they do.

Pope, Roberts and Duffy. ! I'm looking for a pub in Congleton that needs a landlord. ! Good luck fellas will nip up and see you in action when I can..

There has been a lot of talk from Vale about "bridging the gap" between the world of youth team football and 1st team men's football. I think by having some of the youth players in and around the 1st team is a positive step towards this - ie showing the young players there is a pathway, having them see first hand the level the 1st team are at, getting to know the 1st team etc I guess the way we've always operated is that every now and then a manager will pluck a player or two from the youth team and throw them into the 1st team environment in a sink or swim experiment! Little things like giving the whole youth team 30 minutes against Newcastle will be amazing for their development - it's probably the first time many have played in front of a (decent) crowd which I'd imagine could be nerve-wracking at a young age. Now they've done it, it won't be as daunting the next time it happens. I think having some youth teamers in and around the 1st team over pre-season is purely to help their development, but I don't expect any to feature much once the real season kicks off.

I remember when Pope was banned and fined and publicly castigated (rightly) by the FA. The first thing Carol and the club said was that they back him and would appeal the decision. Lack of loyalty, I'm sure Tom.

No one answering the phone, no option to buy online, an hour's notice before the tickets go on sale.... Evidently no thought whatsoever for those of us who are season ticket holders but don't live in the immediate vicinity of Vale Park. 🤬

It's just the people who were adamant that 'the best striker at the Club' would have his pick of L2 sides peddling an unsubstantiated rumour that suits their purpose

I never even knew we were allowed five subs until Askey left.