interesting post.

Working with a few lardies there was great excitement that they had achieved something wonderful by reaching a semi final last week.

In that said semi final they were outplayed by Sunderland, in essence kids from a 3rd division team.

As others have said they would get pelters and mens football is a totally different concept. As well as us thrashing them they were beaten by Morecambe in the Paint pot. It's a big NO from me.

Was Paul Maguire from Stoke or did he have somewhere in between ? 

1 hour ago, MiketheValiant said:

Didn't Paul Maguire come directly from Stoke or had he been in the States for a while?

Paul Maguire disliked us and John Rudge.  He told me we were the only club he played for where his own fans booed him 

Edited May 26, 20215 yr by WV

No.

Edited May 26, 20215 yr by Joe B

Their current crop of Academy kids would have to be a lot better than the ones who got schooled in the Checkatrade before we entertain the idea of signing any of them.

I can definitely see the logic, but for the reasons above it's probably a non-starter.

Definitely sensible to stay relatively local for loan signings though - obviously we have a good existing relationship with Forest, and Derby U23s are up with the best in the country (finished 6th in Prem 2, 2pts behind Spurs in 3rd), so definitely should be looking at them. Villa won the youth cup, with West Brom getting to the semis, plus Brum have had some good youngsters through in recent years and tend to bring them through quicker (so could be players on the fringes of their squad, rather than U23). Then for Academy cast-offs it's always also worth keeping an eye on the Manchester clubs; obviously Scott didn't work out, but worth persisting with as a policy for bringing in young 'uns as back-up or development squad.

When we are in L1 we will be able to attract better loan players.

Paul Maguire disliked us and John Rudge.  He told me we were the only club he played for where his own fans booed him 

I didn't boo him. I make a point of not booing any player, and certainly none in a Vale shirt. However, in spite of his relative success at Vale and very decent goal return, I never really rated him. I always got the impression that he was going through the motions a bit.

I don't care were a player has played if they can do a job for us.

6 minutes ago, MiketheValiant said:

1 hour ago, WV said:

Paul Maguire disliked us and John Rudge.  He told me we were the only club he played for where his own fans booed him 

I didn't boo him. I make a point of not booing any player, and certainly none in a Vale shirt. However, in spite of his relative success at Vale and very decent goal return, I never really rated him. I always got the impression that he was going through the motions a bit.

but he could take a mean corner!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Bithell

Well done to anyone who remembered Brian Bithell. Far as I can tell the only player ever to join Port Vale on loan from Stoke City.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Harrison_(footballer)

Mark Harrison went the other way on loan because Stoke needed a goalkeeper for a youth tournament.

RIP the Stoke - Vale loan era: 1977-1981

No. I'd rather we went out of business.

1 hour ago, Wrex said:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Bithell

Well done to anyone who remembered Brian Bithell. Far as I can tell the only player ever to join Port Vale on loan from Stoke City.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Harrison_(footballer)

Mark Harrison went the other way on loan because Stoke needed a goalkeeper for a youth tournament.

RIP the Stoke - Vale loan era: 1977-1981

One hell of a spot! 

Paul Maguire signed from the US.

No thank you.

59 minutes ago, JRC said:

One hell of a spot! 

Paul Maguire signed from the US.

Stoke to America to Burslem. Will Ryan Shawcross make the same journey?

Didn’t we have John Lumsden ,and I think John Ruggiero on loan from Stoke 70s/80s ?