David Flitcroft has left Port Vale. Picture by Pete Stonier/The SentinelHello and welcome to a special Friday morning edition of The Valiant for March 22. The newsletter has been moved from our usual Thursday evening slot to give us chance to properly cover David Flitcroft’s exit and last night’s Supporters’ Club meeting at which chief executive Matt Hancock answered questions from the floor. We’ve made this a free edition, available to non-subscribers, as a way of promoting how we cover the Vale. We’ve been thrilled with the feedback, and the numbers who have signed up, since we launched at the start of October. So, we thought making this one edition free would give us a chance to show everyone what we do. Today’s edition, number 95 since we launched, also has talking points from Darren Moore’s press conference. We’ve also got a scouting report on Saturday’s opponents Burton Albion, a look at Baylee Dipepa’s England debut, a preview of a big game for Port Vale FC Women plus lots more news, analysis and opinion about the Vale on and off the pitch. Just a bit about us, we’ll be covering the Vale with at least 150 editions a year from the day you sign up, but your subscription also gives you access to all previous editions in our archive. There’s currently an offer of £20 (50% off) for your first year’s subscription which will work out at around 13p an edition over the next 12 months. If you are a subscriber then thank you for your support and for making our coverage possible. If you are taking a look at tonight’s free edition just to see what we are all about then please read on to see what you think. Mike Subscribe now Chief exec answers questions after David Flitcroft’s exit Port Vale chief executive Matt Hancock fielded questions at a no-holds-barred Supporters’ Club meeting last night as fans had their say about the season – and news that director of football David Flitcroft has left the club. Port Vale chief executive Matt Hancock answers questions at the Vale Supporters’ Club. Pic by Pete Stonier/The SentinelFlitcroft’s departure by mutual consent was announced at 7pm, bringing to an end his three years at Vale Park in which the club won promotion from League Two in 2021/22 but now find themselves second from bottom of League One with just nine games to play. Here are key points from the packed meeting at Tommy Cheadle’s as we digested news of Flitcroft’s departure following growing criticism of results and recruitment. A tough decision Owner Carol Shanahan had backed Flitcroft in an open letter to supporters six weeks ago and Matt Hancock made clear the decision to part company with him was a difficult one. Port Vale owner Carol Shanahan. Pic by Pete Stonier/The SentinelHe said: “In my experience, the Shanahans make decisions that are best for Port Vale. I have seen that since the day I arrived 15 months ago. This would have been difficult. I know the way the Carol and the family operate is to make sure it is the right decision. They will have done it thoroughly. “I am sure there will be questions about why now but, knowing the Shanahans, they have listened and gone through every conversation they needed to, and then the decision has been made. “Carol has made the decision and Carol has delivered the decision. In terms of where things go from here. It has happened an hour ago and the focus for the football club is Saturday and Burton Albion.” What happens with manager Darren Moore? David Flitcroft played a major role in recruiting the manager but Hancock made clear that Moore retains the full backing of the club’s owners and hierarchy. Port Vale manager Darren Moore. Pic by ShutterstockHe said: “Darren Moore has the full support of everyone and, from working with him for a short time already, he is fully committed on this season and also what is going to happen at Port Vale moving forward.” Will the club be back to ‘square one’ if they are relegated back to League Two this season? That suggestion was made by a supporter but Hancock argued that wouldn’t be the case because, thanks to the Shanahans’ ownership, they would be a more stable, financially secure club than the owners bought in May 2019 after a 20th-placed finish and a threat of administration. He said: “I don’t agree that we are going back to where we were in 2019. We have the commitment of the Shanahans. Our owners are ones that a hell of a lot of clubs up and down the country would die for. Port Vale fans at last night’s Supporters’ Club meeting. Pic by Pete Stonier/The Sentinel“From everything I have been in, Carol and Kevin’s commitment to the football club is unwavering, that is financially. We need and want a successful club, of course winning games, but the stability and the commitment of the Shanahans gives me, and hopefully supporters, the confidence that, God forbid, we are in League Two….I agree the odds are against us staying up but I know there is a commitment from the Shanahans to make that work. “We don’t want to be a League Two club. I don’t believe Port Vale is a League Two club. So, there is a commitment from the club that, if we go down, we have to win games quickly. Port Vale owners Kevin and Carol Shanahan. Pic by Leanne Bagnall/The Sentinel “There are budget conversations at the moment, as you would expect, about League One and League Two. It is a financial hit that the club can take but ultimately the Shanahans have to bear the brunt of that hit. They are clear on what they are able to commit to. “I know that is more than enough, and some, to make sure we are competitive in League Two and/or League One. “We are also reliant on every supporter. We need people to come and support the club and we know the club has to give you a team you want to support and you can see is fighting for Port Vale. He added: “There are a lot of clubs that, if they went into League Two, it would be a disaster financially. We have owners that, although it would be tough and we would have to make decisions, the club would be strong in League Two.” However, he also made clear that doesn’t mean the club is relaxed about being relegated. He said: “No one wants relegation. Relegation for the football club, for so many different reasons, is awful.” What’s happening with season tickets? They are usually on sale by now but the club hasn’t announced anything yet. Hancock was frank about that, saying the club decided not to launch them while the team was on their current poor run. He added: “From a cash-flow point of view, the earlier we put season tickets on sale the better. But the decision was the supporter feeling, where we are at on the pitch, what was going on and the conversations we were all in, we have not felt it was the right time at all to be asking supporters to commit again for next season. Vale are deciding when to put their 2024/25 season tickets on sale. Pic by Pete Stonier/The Sentinel“I am sure there will be another discussion tomorrow or early next week now this decision has been made (about David Flitcroft) about when we release our season tickets. “We have looked at prices and have a couple of different pricing models on season tickets and will be talking to the Supporters’ Club and others beforehand. “There will still be ‘Early-bird’ and opportunities for people to still get their tickets at the cheapest possible price. Those things will still happen it is just the windows will be different.” What we don’t know Will the club bring in another director of football or just give more responsibility to manager Darren Moore? That wasn’t clear but, to be fair to Matt Hancock, the decision to part company with David Flitcroft had only just been announced and it was tricky for him to answer a multitude of questions when some things may not have been decided yet. How the news went down Although last night’s meeting was heated at times, there was also respect for Hancock for attending and answering questions from the floor and then in conversations with supporters at the end of the Q&A. I’m guessing the meeting would have been considerably more heated had Flitcroft’s departure not been announced 30 minutes before we got underway. Supporters’ Club chairman Mark Porter addresses last night’s meeting. Pic by Pete Stonier/The SentinelSupporters had chanted at games for him to go, chants that had grown in volume as the club sank further into relegation trouble. Talking to supporters last night, the general view was they didn’t want to celebrate someone losing their job, but they did feel his position had become untenable because he was responsible for all things football. Flitcroft did oversee that 2021/22 promotion, improvements in the pitch and also developments in the academy, in fact he was at St George’s Park on Wednesday to see Baylee Dipepa make his debut for England under-17s. But fans voiced their concerns about recruitment at the start of the season and had turned the spotlight on Flitcroft after Vale came out of the January window weaker and plummeted down the table. In announcing his departure, the club said: “Port Vale Football Club can confirm that David Flitcroft has left his role as the club’s Director of Football. “The decision has been made mutually and we thank Dave for the time he has spent at Vale Park. ”A further update will be made in due course but our collective focus now remains on retaining our League One status, as we prepare for this weekend's match against Burton Albion.” Leave a comment Talking points from Darren Moore’s press conferenceTom Sang and Jensen Weir Port Vale’s on-loan Brighton midfielder Jensen Weir. Pic by Tom GreenLet’s get straight on with the injury news. On-loan midfielder Weir and right-sided defender Sang both missed the Oxford defeat through injury so how are they getting on? Over to Darren Moore…. “Both of them are 50/50 at the moment for the game on Saturday. They have done some work today on the pitch but we have to assess them over the next 48 hours.” Uche Ikpeazu The striker is back in training following the shoulder injury he suffered in the home defeat to Portsmouth on January 27. However, he didn’t feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Wolves this week so we’ll have to wait and see whether Saturday’s Burton game is too soon. Moore said: “He didn’t play at Wolves but he has been training, it’s been wonderful for him to be back in training. “He is a wonderful character, he has a wonderful presence about him and it is great to have him back, especially at this time. He is another leader in the dressing room, the players look up to him.” Vale striker Uche Ikpeazu. Getty Images So, it seems a case of the manager getting the balance right between not rushing Ikpeazu back and risking further injury, but also calling on a striker who was an important player before the injury. Moore added: “In terms of where we are, it is needs must really. Every single game is so important for us, and the next one is on Saturday. “So all the players I have mentioned - Jensen, Sangy and Uche – will all be in taken into consideration for Saturday.” Mitch Clark Not an injury but a question about how the right back is doing after a pretty tough time on Saturday against Oxford winger Josh Murphy. Clark, who has been out with a knee injury, was making his first league start since September but was substituted five minutes before the break. Moore said: “We had a chat on Saturday. It is just with the injury lay-off he had, he has to build up his volume (of fitness). With the injury to Sangy, and playing Mitch at the time, it was probably just the speed and physicality of the game. “It is nothing to do with his ability, it is just the volume in training. He maybe just needs that little bit more time to get up to speed. “He will have benefitted on Saturday because he will have picked up and felt the demands of the game. So, though it may seem disappointing that he came off, I think from a learning perspective it would have been good because he will have felt it physically and mentally and certainly know the levels he will want to get to next time.” Rhys Walters The 18-year-old hasn’t signed a professional contract yet and so could move on at the end of the season. However, Darren Moore made clear that Walters’ absence from the first-team squad of late has been to give him more game-time with the under-18s rather than because of any contract stand-off. Vale midfielder Rhys Walters. Pic by Paul Greenwood/ShutterstockHe said: “At the turn of the year he hadn’t played many games so, behind the scenes, we have given him a lot of games in the under-18s to get him up to match level. He has missed a lot of game-time since December and so, since coming in and seeing his attributes, we have dropped him into the under-18s just to get him some match minutes. But you will see him back involved with the first-team fold now. “That’s good for him. He has had his game time. He played in the week at Wolves, amongst his under18s games. “As regards his contract, we want him to sign, we want him to stay with us. We see him having a good future with us, we want him to sign and we have made that quite clear. “We understand the situation and he still has a part to play. We will look to continue to work with Rhys and develop with him because he has a lot of positives and attributes. But we also know parts of his game that we want to develop with him being so young.” Trialists decisions Vale have been looking at three free-agent players on trial but have decided against offering deals to any of them because they are not up to the match-fitness levels needed and, with only five weeks left of the season, there isn’t enough time for them to make that up. Darren Moore said: “We had spoken about looking at the free-transfer market and we had three players in who have been training with us for two or three weeks. We played them in a behind-closed doors friendly at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Port Vale boss Darren Moore. Pic by Pete Stonier“It was a wonderful work out for us and gave one or two players, who are on the fringe, minutes under their belt. That was needed, we are coming into a busy schedule so it is essential to give the players some match minutes. “We also had a good look at the trialists. Will we be going forward with the three players? We won’t be, the reason being that we don’t feel at this stage they would contribute much to us in terms of the physicality. “We have been training all season so, when these lads come in on trial, so much needs to be asked of them to pick up the physicality of the game. After looking at them at Wolves, we just didn’t feel they would contribute much. So, as a staff, we didn’t feel it would be right. “It is no reflection on the players, it is just the level and the demands of the game.” Leave a comment Scouting report on Burton AlbionPort Vale are at Burton Albion on Saturday. Getty ImagesPort Vale return to action on Saturday with the short trip to a Burton Albion side managed by former Vale striker Martin Paterson. So, what sort of challenge can they expect from a Brewers side who are two places above the relegation zone, but only six points clear of Vale having played a game more? We’re grateful to Colston Crawford, Burton Albion reporter for the Burton Mail, for this scouting report. What's been the story of Burton's season so far? “The story of Burton's season so far, annoyingly for club and supporters alike, is very similar to each of the last three. “Optimism, tempered by the reality of not being among the biggest spenders in the division, has given way to frustration and a fight to stay above the relegation places. “The roots of it are the post-Covid season when Jake Buxton was thrust into the manager's job with the departure of Nigel Clough, before he was really ready, he would later admit. The Brewers were rescued from the bottom of the table mid-season by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and his assistant Dino Maamria. “In Hasselbaink's second full season, it went wrong for him, too, and Maamria stepped in with the rescue. Then, with Maamria struggling, Martin Paterson stepped into the breach in January. Burton Albion manager Martin Paterson. Getty Images“A run of five defeats in six now sees Burton closer to the drop zone at this point than they have been in the other seasons and in need of an upturn in form. “With money spent in the summer on strikers who did not work out - notably Cole Stockton, now on loan with Barrow - Paterson had to reconstruct a strike force from inexperienced loanees who have struggled. The most experienced, Jonathan Leko, was injured and out for the season within two minutes of coming on for his debut, which has not helped, so Burton are up against it.” Who are the dangermen for Port Vale to watch? “It would seem off not to name a forward when talking of dangermen but, with Burton often relying on being strong from set-pieces, it is the defenders who have been having more goal attempts of late. John Brayford scored against Portsmouth and thundered the bar with a shot in the 1-0 defeat to Exeter City last time out. That's with his feet and he is still adept at getting his head to corners and free kicks. He is as big a threat as anyone. Burton’s attacking midfielder Mark Helm celebrates scoring against Bolton. Getty Images“Other than that, when on song, attacking midfielder Mark Helm threatens, while winger Bobby Kamwa has shown nice touches in recent week.” What style/formation does Martin Paterson usually play and what's your best guess for the XI on Saturday? “Whether 3-5-2 is a back three with wing-backs or a back five depends on your perception. Critics says it is an ultra-defensive back five. In theory, it's three at the back with the ball, five without. It's unlikely, barring injuries forcing his hand, that Paterson will depart from that on Saturday. Against possession-based sides, Burton will concede possession in what are perceived to be non-dangerous areas. “Potentially, the XI would be: Crocombe; Hamer, Brayford, Sweeney; Caprice, Harper, Powell, Oshilaja, Seddon; Helm, Hugill.” Subscribe now A proud day for Vale as Baylee Dipepa shines for EnglandIt seemed only right that Phil Sherwin should be at St George’s Park this week as Baylee Dipepa made his debut for England under-17s in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland. After all, as club historian, Phil can put Baylee’s call up and two-goal debut into some context. England took on Northern Ireland under-17s at St George’s Park. Getty ImagesBesides, 18 months ago, Phil rang me from a Staffs Senior Cup tie at Foley Meir to say he’d just seen a young lad called Baylee Dipepa score a wonder-goal for Vale. “He stood out then,” recalls Phil. “The ball came over and he thundered a sort of overhead kick that flew into the net before anybody could move. I thought, ‘he’s one to watch out for!’ “He would have only been 15 at the time.” Dipepa’s career has moved on since then with 19-first team appearances and a goal at home to Shrewsbury a fortnight ago that, just two months after his 17th birthday, made him the second-youngest goalscorer in the club’s history after Jack Shorrock. Baylee Dipepa celebrates scoring for Vale against Shrewsbury. Pic by Tom GreenThe striker, from Blythe Bridge, was called into the England under-17 squad for three games at St George’s Park starting with Wednesday’s match against Northern Ireland. To put that into context, of the 18 players in the matchday squad on Wednesday, 13 were with Premier League clubs, three with clubs from the Championship, one in the MLS...and then Baylee was flying the flag for Vale and League One. It’s fair to say he made an impression after he came off the bench. Over to Phil…. “I think there were quite a few of Baylee’s family and friends there. When he came on there was a bit of a roar and clapping so you could tell he had support there which was great. “He came on in the 58th minute it was 1-1…and 11 minutes later it was 4-1! “We scored to go 2-1 up just after he came on and then he had been on for eight minutes when England full back Leo Shahar, of Newcastle United, crossed and Baylee headed it over the Irish keeper from around 12 or 15 yards. It was a looping header to make it 3-1 on 66 minutes. “Just as we were settling down from his first goal, three minutes later he scored again. The ball was cut back to him in the area and he drilled it first time to give the keeper no chance. “It was a surreal moment really. He played as a central striker and did well, as well as his goals, but didn’t get a real chance for his hat-trick because nothing else fell to him.” So, Baylee joins a select club of players to have represented England while on the books at Vale, rather than here on loan. Phil added: “The last one was Brian Mills in 1991, he played in the World Youth Championships. A few had done it before but as far as I can see, none had scored, so Baylee is the first to score one never mind two. “Other Vale players who have represented England include Mark Chamberlain who played for England youth and then went on to play for the full England team, but he had gone to Stoke by then. Vale’s Mark Chamberlain pictured with his England schoolboys cap in June 1977. Picture by The Sentinel“There is also our goalkeeper Ray King who played for England B in the 1950s. Ken Higgs, who also played cricket for England, was a Vale player who played football for England youth in the 1950s. Also, Alan Bennett played for England youth in the 1940s.” Baylee joined Vale at under-9s level when Sevvy Aslam was in charge of the academy. He’s come through the system and made further progress under Will Ryder, who has been academy director for the last three years. Port Vale’s academy director Will Ryder. Pic by Tom GreenIn fact, he’s just one of several youth team players to play for the first team this season after progress under Ryder and his coaches. Jack Shorrock, Ben Lomax and Rhys Walters have also played in league games while Liam Brazier, Andrew Buah, Dan Mahaffy and Logan Cousins have played in Trophy matches. Dipepa signed his first professional contract with Vale in January, a deal that runs at least until the summer of 2026. And with an England debut, it’s been quite a start to his career. Phil Sherwin added: “It is pride when a local player represents the Vale at that level because we haven’t been blessed with too many England call ups over the years. “He’s only just 17 now and he is top scorer for the youth team this season, with 13, even though he hasn’t played for them for ages because he is with the first team. “England have two more games at St George’s, on Saturday and Tuesday, and then if they get through that group, they are in the final tournament which is in Cyprus at the end of May. Hopefully he will be involved in that as well.” Subscribe now Burton tickets Vale will have a strong following at Burton despite their poor run of results. The club had sold around 850 tickets by yesterday afternoon. Fixtures The international break has left just three League One fixtures still standing this weekend. So, with none of their relegation rivals playing, Vale know they would move up two places and be within three points of safety if they can win at Burton. Burton v Port Vale; Carlisle v Stevenage, Northampton v Derby. What the bookies sayVale really will have to upset the odds if they are to get out of relegation trouble. From what I can see, the bookies have stopped taking bets on bottom-placed Carlisle to go down. That’s understandable considering they are 16 points from safety. Fleetwood are 1/6 for the drop, followed by Vale at 1/4, Cheltenham at 5/6, Burton at 15/8, Cambridge at 7/4 and Reading at 10/3. International debut for Tom ConlonFormer Vale captain Tom Conlon made his debut for England C on Tuesday night as he played the first half of their 1-0 defeat to their Welsh counterparts in Llanelli. The C teams are made up of players from the non-league structure and Tom qualifies having moved to National League Oldham in January. Fixture changeVale’s final game of the season, at home to Cambridge United on Saturday April 27, has been brought forward to a 12.30pm kick off along with all the League One games. Your viewsThanks to everyone who had their say in Monday’s edition as we reflected on the defeat at home to Oxford and assessed the Vale on and off the pitch with Adam Yates. This is just a selection of your views which are available in full with Monday’s edition. Port Vale were beaten 2-0 at home to Oxford. Pic by Tom GreenDavid Filcher said: “This was a great read but by god the situation is depressing. I think if we go down, we are going to be fighting relegation again with the players we have under contract, unless the club has been smart and they inserted relegation-release clause in all the new players’ contracts.” One possibility we discussed was putting young players into the team to give them experience particularly if or when relegation is confirmed. Paul Bloor said: “I disagree re letting the youngsters have a go, as I think that has been part of the issue this season. IMO the club took a massive gamble maybe due to financial reasons, or maybe not, by trying to build a squad on loans and up and coming academy players that are not ready for this level, with the exception of Devine and Blaster.” Leave a comment Port Vale FC Women aim to take step towards promotionVale’s promotion hopes face another test on Sunday when they make the short trip to Newcastle Town. The Vale are unbeaten in the league, and just three points behind leaders Telford with two games in hand, so have plenty to play for with only one promotion spot available from the 11-club West Midlands Division One North. Vale have been building towards this tilt at promotion from the sixth tier of the national game for the last couple of seasons, and showed no sign of letting go of that ambition when they beat Darlaston Town 4-0 last weekend. That game was also significant for captain Meg Baldwin whose appearance off the bench was her first game time for 17 months having suffered a major ACL knee injury that required surgery. Captain Meg Baldwin in the warm up before Vale’s win over Darlaston. Pic by Gerard Austin Meg, now in her fifth year with the club, is thrilled to be back but the frustration of having to watch from the sidelines has been tempered by watching the team make strides on and off the pitch. She said: “I signed back in the summer of 2019 and we have evolved over the past few years. “When I first started it was almost a feel of, they had a women’s team because it was frowned on to not have one at that point so they kept the ‘ladies team’ at the time ticking over. There wasn’t really much input into it. “In my first game I had an extra large shirt that came past my elbows and knees and absolutely drowned me. Those sort of small details over time have been part of the professional development within Port Vale Women. “Those are the little changes that have been made but the work ethic that has gone in has been unbelievable.” Those changes include an agreement to use Kidsgrove Athletic’s stadium as the home venue from this season, giving Vale better facilities for players and spectators. Baldwin added: “It has been a massive step towards the professionalism we want. We were playing our home games at Bradeley which is a perfectly fine pitch most of the year when there is not too much rain. “But it has been quite important because it helps to support the women’s game by bringing in revenue. It is a stadium itself rather than turning up on a field where we could have to pick up dog poo. “We can make a bit more of an event of it and it has more of a professional feel and environment.” The team has risen to the occasion, winning nine of their ten league games so far, the only exception being a draw at leaders Telford who Vale then beat back on home turf. Manager Henry Knight left last month to take up a coaching offer in the United States so Jack Day, who heads the women’s and girls’ section at the Port Vale Foundation, has stepped up to become manager for the last two league wins. Henry Knight has taken up a coaching job in the United States. Pic by Tom Green Next up is a Newcastle side who are fifth but, like Vale, have games in hand on the rest of the leading teams. In fact, Newcastle’s defeat at Vale earlier in the campaign was the only match they have lost in the league. Baldwin added: “There is a bit of a rivalry. Newcastle came on to the scene with a bit of a bang when they started last season. They had really good recruitment, got players from Crewe, Leek Town and from a wide area and came straight into our league after a good season in the County League. “We did beat them earlier in the season on our own pitch. We’re looking forward to the fixture, it’s an exciting one.” Vale’s recruitment over the last couple of seasons is also paying dividends, but having the experienced captain back also helps. She added: “When I came off the bench after 75 minutes on Sunday it was first time I have entered the field of play since the day I did my knee. “It was amazing. I think I have been mentally prepared since the day after my surgery. It felt good to come back on, and get an assist as well. The girls have been super supportive. “They have been willing me on and the management team alongside them.” Please check the Vale and Newcastle Town social media sites for confirmation of venue and kick off time for Sunday’s game. RIP Billy KellockOur condolences to the family and friends of former Vale player Billy Kellock following his death, aged 70. Billy Kellock, pictured at Cardiff City, would go on to join Port Vale. Getty Images The attacking midfielder was brought to Vale Park from Southend United by John Rudge in December 1984 and would score four goals in 13 games, including two on his debut in a 5-1 win at home to Exeter City in the old Division Four. The game was Kellock’s first in four weeks following a suspension at Southend so he said he wasn’t quite fully match fit. But he scored twice, made another one and also had a spell in defence, after Phil Sproson was sent off on 59 minutes, to help mid-table Vale to their first win in eight games. How The Sentinel reported Billy Kellock’s Vale debut against Exeter The Glaswegian was on the books at Cardiff City and impressed at Kettering before joining Peterborough where he scored 43 goals in 134 league starts. He joined Luton for £30,000 in 1982 then moved on to Wolves and helped them win promotion to the top flight in 1983 before spells at Southend, Vale, Halifax and Kettering once more. Leave a comment ‘I felt I belonged’ - Our fan in focus is Phil PottsVale fan Phil Potts with club president John RudgeTell us about yourself “I’m 67 and was born in Middleport, I went to my first game as a two year old (v Brighton, April 1958) I remember very little but being lifted over the turnstile, sitting on a Lorne St barrier, Vale being in Black & Old Gold stripes, Brighton wearing Blue & White stripes (like Huddersfield but with a red pinstripe in the white one). “I started going regularly in 1965 with a couple of mates from St Paul’s school. I remember the agonising late spring of 1968 when we were expelled from the League only to be re-elected in the June. “In the 1966/67 season my dad used to take me to Stoke so that I could see the England World Cup Winners ‘in the flesh’, the most memorable being a draw with West Ham (Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and the masterful Bobby Moore). After that he asked me if I’d rather keep going to Stoke (even though he was a Vale fan) but I chose the Vale because I felt I belonged there, at Stoke I always felt like a visitor. “More recently, I’ve been quite closely involved with the club. Colin Garlick recruited me to join the Foundation in 2017 and I served five years as a trustee. I also used to write a column for the programme about that time too, under the name of Eli Colclough, I wrote in Potteries Dialect (about all sorts of nonsense!) with a translation for those from outside ST6. “I joined the Supporters’ Club in about 2010 and got voted onto the committee in 2017 as treasurer. I’m still there! One of the perks has been getting involved with Rudgey’s Statue Fund. I’ve been privileged to spend time with ‘Sir John’ selling mugs, coasters and goodness knows what, to raise funds. John Rudge’s autobiography has raised funds for a statue to the legendary Vale manager“Especially, I’ve been involved with the launch of “To Cap it All” and myself and Dave Thorley took about a thousand pre-orders for signed copies via the website tocapitall.co.uk . “About 250 of these orders were for delivery by post – I’ve gotten to know my three local Post offices like old friends! Sir John himself is brilliant and has attended more than a dozen signing/collection sessions. We’ve sold over 1,800 so far.” What is your favourite Vale game and why? “Blimey, this is hard! “Everton, away and at home in the FA Cup – the late equaliser at Goodison was mind- blowing, the replay, well we should have had six! “Arsenal, away and at home in the FA Cup – Tony Naylor had one disallowed at Highbury. Replay, brilliant Bergkamp goal in extra time, fantastic equaliser from a young Wayne Corden, lose on pens. Ian Bogie beats Dennis Bergkamp to the ball as Vale draw 0-0 at Highbury“Stoke FA Cup replay. 3-1 win in a monsoon! First ‘proper’ victory over them in my lifetime. “Spurs away in the League Cup, led for a while and then got outclassed at the end, this is memorable for the Spurs fans who applauded us (team & fans) for what seemed ages. “Man City away, 8,000 noisy Valeites, biggest ever away following at the Etihad? Popey powering home Dave Amoo’s brilliant cross. A City fan told me he’d never heard a roar like it when that went in! “Play off semi v Swindon. Electric atmosphere (has that McKirdy penalty EVER landed?) “Play off Final v Mansfield. Needs no words from me. “I’ll have to go for the Autoglass Final in ’93. My first visit to Wembley. In ’72 I turned down free tickets to Stoke v Chelsea, I told my mate “I’m only going to Wembley to see the Vale” (bravado, not really believing it would happen). In ’93 I bought tickets straightaway but then I entered a competition in the Sentinel and won two seats in the Olympic Gallery (way up in the roof where the TV crews were). Robin van der Laan celebrates Vale’s win over Stockport in the 1993 Autoglass Trophy final at Wembley. Pic by The Sentinel “My lad was at Scout camp and couldn’t go, so I took my ex-boss Adam (a dyed-in-the wool Stokie). The seats were brilliant, we were above the main Vale contingent and the noise was such that I felt I could step out and walk on it (I didn’t!). Phenomenal. Even Adam admitted it was special. Paul Kerr and then Bernie Slaven. Wowzer!” What’s the best thing about the Vale? “It’s a family club. I’ve always felt at home here. We’re a bit different than other teams I feel. Our name doesn’t say where we’re from. We have all sorts of records like ‘longest term in the League without ever reaching the top flight’ (and others I’ll skip over!). “The Shanahans have made it clear that they want to use the club to strengthen the sense of community in the north of the city. They’ve done that pretty well so far haven’t they?” And what’s one thing you’d change? “Right now? Our points tally!” What’s your favourite XI from players you’ve seen? Left-back Allen Tankard makes Phil Potts’ favourite Vale XI. Pic by The Sentinel “Another tough one! I’m leaving out some absolute legends here! But I’m trying to go back in time and think of some of my early heroes… “Paul Musselwhite, Ron Wilson, Allen Tankard, Roy Sproson, Phil Sproson, Dean Glover, Ray Walker, Robbie Earle, Tommy McLaren, Martin Foyle & Tony Naylor.” Leave a comment Battling out an away win in a tough seasonThe 2008/09 season wasn’t a vintage one for the Vale but they were enjoying a highlight in this week 15 years ago. So, welcome to March 21, 2009 and Vale are taking on Bradford at Valley Parade. Dean Glover’s side were underdogs because hopes of bouncing back to League One at the first attempt following relegation had long since disappeared. A poor start to the season had seen Lee Sinnott lose his job at the end of the September after four consecutive defeats culminated in a 4-1 loss at home to Macclesfield. Former Vale manager Dean Glover. Pic by The SentinelHis assistant Glover was made caretaker for a couple of weeks before getting the job ‘permanently’ with the team 19th in League Two. Results were mixed, in fact Vale had only won two of their previous nine by the time they turned up at Valley Parade, including a 2-0 reverse at Accrington in their previous game. Bradford were pushing for the play-offs but were frustrated by a Vale side who grabbed the only goal of the game, on 49 minutes, when Dave Howland drove the ball home from 16 yards. Dave Howland, left, celebrates with Luke Prosser after scoring at Bradford. Pic by The SentinelThat continued a pattern for former Northern Ireland international Howland who had scored on the road in wins at Lincoln and in a 4-3 thriller in the FA Cup at Huddersfield in the early stages of Glover’s reign. His goal at Valley Parade was enough thanks to a solid defensive performance, helped by the decision to move Anthony Griffith back to a central midfield role having had a run in the side at right back. He slotted into a 4-5-1 formation with Howland and Paul Marshall given freedom to push up from midfield to support lone striker Marc Richards. Anthony Griffith in action for Port Vale at Bradford. Pic by The SentinelHowland had been recruited by Sinnott, initially on loan from Birmingham before the move became permanent in the summer of 2008. He would stay for two years before spending six years with Glentoran. Elsewhere in the side, left-back Paul Edwards had the better of former Manchester United and Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie who, aged 34, was making his full debut for the Bantams. The win at Bradford didn’t go down well with home supporters, some of whom threw their season tickets on to the pitch in disgust. Their manager Stuart McCall said: “Vale came with a defensive plan and scored with their only shot on target. We had the ball cleared off the line three times. It just didn’t fall for us. But we are only one point off seventh and I want to go to Wembley taking 30,000 fans with us — that’s my dream. We still have a chance of the play-offs.” Bradford did miss out on the play-offs, finishing ninth, while Vale finished in 18th. The Vale parted company with Dean Glover at the end of the season and appointed Micky Adams as his replacement. Port Vale (v Bradford): Anyon, Stockley, McCombe, Prosser, Edwards, Gall (Dodds, 69), Griffith, Howland, Marshall, Taylor (Richman, 87), Richards. Not used: Martin, Collins, Glover. Attendance: 12,436 (including 177 from Vale) Leave a comment And finally…Thanks for reading today’s edition whether you are a subscriber or just taking a look out of interest. There’s certainly been plenty to cover with David Flitcroft’s exit, last night’s supporters’ meeting, the manager’s press conference plus plenty more going on at the club. As usual, if you are a subscriber, then please do get involved with our comments section. I’ll be back for our next edition on Sunday morning when we’ll be digesting Saturday’s game at Burton with all the usual news, analysis and opinion. See you then. Up the Vale! Mike Subscribe now View the full article
The Valiants travel to Burton and once again hopes are that some points will narrow the gap between them and safety. While the departure of David Flitcroft as director of football won’t directly affect things, will his exit help unite the fans behind the team? Here’s our preview. PREAMBLE So, it has finally happened… Port […]View the full article
