Popey Signs New Deal

[valiant steve]

The best possible news. He is the best player in this division by some distance. His all round game, skill with his head, chest and both feet and his vision and footballing brain make him comparable to some of the best we've had.

If he played up front with players like Guppy, McCarthy, Bogie, etc feeding him he'd score a hatrick every game.

[Danish Valiant]

Saw the interview with Norman. What are the terms for getting a testimonial?

[jockyboy]

he must have been the only professional striker in England not on a goal bonus

[Conrad]

Saw the interview with Norman. What are the terms for getting a testimonial?

 

10 years continuous service for one club.

[Walka003]

Where can we put his statue when he breaks the Club's scoring record which he will surely do over the next few months. Come on Tom give us a hat trick tomorrow to celebrate and see your 'ton' up?

I think both him and rudge should be in the running for a statue, maybe one outsidev Tommys and one by the club shop

[Beza]

I've witnessed some legends along the many years (1961) and this guy sits at the top of the tree. Vale in the blood and would bust a gut to wear that Port Vale top. And may I had , Tom Pope will become a top Manager.

[Paul6754]

That's my Christmas prezzie, told the wife she can save the socks for next year.

 

Great news, top guy.

[Danish Valiant]

10 years continuous service for one club.

Cheers 😊

[bookworm]

very good news.

[Gungho_ED]

Great news!

One of us. Cheers Popey. Nice one

[bycars rob]

Genuine question. If Tom finishes his career at Port Vale, given that he's been the goalscoring hero for a while now, and based on the fact that he's also a passionate fan of the club from early childhood, just how high will his standing be in the pantheon of Port Vale players throughout history? Any opinions?

 

Like all our players with our supporters, he`s only two bad games from being a waste of space.

[Bycarsbill]

Really good, welcome news and fantastic timing to give us all a boost prior to the busy Xmas/New Year fixtures--well done everyone involved! Merry Christmas to all!

[PV1973]

Like all our players with our supporters, he`s only two bad games from being a waste of space.

As many as 2. I thought it was less than that.

[RailwayRowdy]

Pope has certainly done well in his time at the Vale. That is beyond doubt.

 

But a legend ?

 

Did he not leave us for Bury when Smurfthwaite halved his wages? If he was not a Vale fan, I doubt that he would hold the fans’ status that he does.

 

Let’s not forget that he has only played for us in the bottom two divisions. To me, he comes no where near the quality of Naylor and Foyle to name but two of the recent players.

 

The word “legend” is banded around too easily. If he wasn’t local and, more importantly not a Vale fan, I doubt that his credibility would be so high.

 

Sometimes we need to separate the fact that he is “one of us” from his actual quality.

 

I, like most on this forum, affirm his contribution to a lower league Vale, but he cannot possibly compare to players who have competed at a higher level on a regular basis.

[Santa]

It's interesting that Pope hasn't managed to form any sort of partnership in the 18 months or so since he came back. Not a criticism of him but it does point to something being wrong somewhere,