Port Vale

I'm here for promotion - Stockley
New Port Vale signing Sam Stockley says anything less than reaching the League Two play-offs would be a disappointing season for the Valiants. The former Wycombe Wanderers defender told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm here for promotion. It's a big club with the potential to be an even bigger club. "Anything less than the play-offs would be an upsetting season." The 30-year-old former Southampton trainee joined the Valiants on a free transfer in May. Vale begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly at Farsley Celtic on Tuesday evening, but Stockley says he will not be paying much attention to results until the first competitive game of the season. "For me, pre-season is purely about fitness," he said. "I'm sure the gaffer will try lots of different things before the first game of the season which is obviously the most important." Stockley is an experienced leader having captained both Wycombe and Colchester United and says it would be an honour to be given the armband at Vale Park. "It's down to the gaffer" said Stockley. "I won't change how I play whether I am skipper or not but of course it would be an honour be captain of the Vale."

Sinnott chases two new signings
Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott is chasing the signatures of Leicester City's Louis Dodds and Simon Heslop from Barnsley, reports Radio Stoke. 21-year-old midfielder Dodds is a product of the Foxes academy and spent time on loan with Lincoln last season. Heslop is also a 21-year-old midfielder, who joined Barnsley from Kidderminster Harriers in 2006. Sinnott has not travelled with the Vale squad to their pre-season training camp in Uxbridge to preside over the deals.

Richards signs new Vale contract
Port Vale striker Marc Richards has signed a one-year contract extension that commits him to the Valiants until the summer of 2010. The 26-year-old forward has turned down a move to Cheltenham Town in order to extend his stay at Vale Park. Manager Lee Sinnott told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's great news because Marc has made the decision for himself. "He's a valuable part of the team, not just his goalscoring but the way he brings other players into the game."

Sinnott hopes to avoid departures
Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott has said he hopes to avoid selling any players before Monday's transfer deadline. Sinnott has brought eight new faces into Vale Park over the summer but the Valiants' financial situation means any offers for players would be considered. He told Radio Stoke: "I've known about the financial situation at the club since I came here. "I can't stop people picking up the phone because actions have to be taken with the budget in mind."

Results cost Sinnott job - Bratt
Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt has confirmed that the decision to sack Lee Sinnott was based on poor results. In his first interview since relieving Sinnott of his duties, Bratt told BBC Radio Stoke: "This game is results led and we weren't getting the results. "I'm sure Lee will do an excellent job at another club in the future and we wish him well." As expected, Dean Glover and Andy Porter have been put in temporary charge of first-team affairs. After arriving from Farsley Celtic on Bonfire Night 2007 to replace Martin Foyle, Black Country-born Sinnott spent just 323 days in charge at Vale Park. The former Watford defender joined the Valiants with a highly successful record in non-league football, having led Farsley to three promotions. But the already misfiring team he inherited from Foyle failed to respond. Vale picked up just 11 points out of a possible 60 from Sinnott's first four months in charge, as well as being dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Chasetown. And when they did briefly show signs of a revival with four victories in six games, they were already by then bound for relegation to League Two and it was too little too late. Vale only lost two of last season's final 10 league games. But more crucial has been their failure to fire this term in the basement division. Despite an opening day win at Luton, they have won just once more in eight league and cup games. And Saturday's late capitulation at home to Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield Town, letting in three goals in the final quarter hour to lose 4-1, was the final straw. Bratt admits that appointing someone with no experience of management in the Football League was a gamble that has not paid off. "We took a chance," he said. "We thought he could do the job and he certainly talked the talk. "This job has been a learning curve for him, but we can't afford learning curves, we need results. "As a football club we have gone backwards on the pitch."

Glover named new Port Vale boss
Ex-caretaker boss Dean Glover has been appointed as Port Vale's new manager. The 44-year-old replaces Lee Sinnott who was sacked in September after less than a year in charge at Vale Park He told Radio Stoke: "I'm very honoured and proud to have the opportunity to manage the club where I had a great time as a player. "I've been here a long time and I'm obviously concerned about the way things are at the moment. I'll be striving to turn things around." Youth-team coach Andy Porter was also in the running for the manager's job at Vale Park after chairman Bill Bratt said the Valiants would be forced to appoint from within. However Bratt has now confirmed that the Vale board of directors voted unanimously in favour of handing the job to Glover. "It is important the club unite behind Dean Glover," said Bratt. "We will give him as much support as possible to turn matters around on the pitch and to get our season back on track." Glover has been given licence to appoint his own backroom staff, with Porter and Mark Grew vying for the job of assistant manager.

Davis plays down link to Vale job
Nantwich Town manager Steve Davis has distanced himself from rumours linking him to the assistant manager's job at League Two side Port Vale. Vale boss Dean Glover has been without an assistant since replacing sacked Lee Sinnott on 6 October. Davis, 43, told Radio Stoke: "I've not heard a thing from Dean or Port Vale, as long as that's the case I'll carry on what I'm doing at Nantwich. "I'm happy where I am, I'll only think about leaving when the time is right." The former Crewe, Burnley, Barnsley and Oxford defender took over the Dabbers in 2004 and guided them to FA Vase victory and two successive promotions to the Unibond Premier Division.

Vale will not relax, says Glover
Port Vale manager Dean Glover has said he wants his side to build on their back-to-back victories over Shrewsbury and Chester City. Simon Richman and Marc Richards found the net as the Valiants won 2-1 at the Deva Stadium on Sunday, their second consecutive away win. Glover told Radio Stoke: "It's just a case of us getting results. "I couldn't have asked any more of the lads in the past two games. Hopefully now we have a platform to build on." The result has lifted Vale to 14th in League Two and, after previously losing five league games in a row, Glover has urged his players not to rest on their laurels. "We want 11 leaders on the pitch," he said, "with every player being vocal. "It can be crucial when you are under pressure and you are tired that leaders come to the fore. "But, for now, I have to give credit to the lads for the way they've hung in there to get the results."

Brightwell returns to Port Vale
Former Manchester City defender Ian Brightwell has joined Port Vale in a temporary coaching capacity. It is the 40-year-old's second spell at the club after joining as a player when Brian Horton was in charge. He eventually moved on to join Horton as assistant manager at Macclesfield Town, before taking over the reigns as caretaker manager. He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I am pleased to help the manager out, and we'll see how it goes."

Exeter mistake behind me - Anyon
Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon has put his mistake against Exeter behind him, and is concentrating on what he thinks can be a bright future for the club. Anyon made a string of fine saves in the 2-1 win against Morecambe on Saturday, but dropped a corner into his own net in the previous match. He told Radio Stoke: "A lot of us made mistakes on Tuesday, and mine cost us a goal, but you get on with it. "It's about how you react from it, and I think I reacted well today." Vale have not kept a clean sheet since 12 April, the day the club were relegated to League Two. New manager Dean Glover has won three of his first four games in charge at Vale Park, and Anyon thinks he has brought a fresh approach to the squad, which has seen their fortunes change. "The lads are a lot more confident on the ball and that's all come from doing more possession work in training," Anyon said. "We were lacking confidence, we had five defeats in a row, and it was hard to get the ball rolling. But now it's rolling, you get that winning feeling and you don't want it to stop."

Collins looking to stay at Vale
Port Vale defender Lee Collins has said he would be happy to extend his loan-spell with the club. The 20-year-old is set to return to Wolves at the end of December. But Collins told Radio Stoke: "I'm pretty sure if they're comfortable they would like me to stay here, there is nothing like playing first-team games." Since taking over as manager, Dean Glover has switched Collins from left-back into the centre of defence, his preferred position.

Brightwell praises Glover tactics
New Port Vale assistant Ian Brightwell has praised the decision of boss Dean Glover to play a five-man midfield in the Valiants' 1-0 win at Lincoln. Glover has won three of his opening four away games as Vale boss, each time employing five in midfield. Brightwell told Radio Stoke: "The gaffer decided to make a few changes and that this was the way to go. "Credit has to go to him for making that decision because it has worked more than once now." The Valiants managed to keep their first clean sheet since August in the victory at Sincil Bank and Brightwell has been keen to impress on the players the importance of tight defending. "We've been telling the players that if you keep a clean sheet then you will always get a result," said the former Manchester City midfielder. "And obviously, as happened against Lincoln, if you get a goal at the other end then you take all three points." Vale have now won four of their eight away games this season, but have managed just two wins from seven outings at home. Brightwell says the inconsistency is frustrating, but their is potential to improve. "We have got talent, but we have to learn how to grind results out. "Our home form hasn't been as good as it should be, but we won our last home game and that is something to build on."

McCrory may stay with Valiants
Port Vale are looking to extend the loan spell of Damien McCrory after reports that the full-back was due to return to Plymouth Argyle. The 18-year-old has been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-19 squad, ruling him out of the Valiants' League Two games with Wycombe and Barnet. It had been thought that McCrory would return to Argyle on returning from international duty. But Vale are now hopeful that McCrory's deal will be extended until January. McCrory has played five games for Vale since joining the club in October.

Valiants extend McCrory loan deal
Port Vale have extended the loan deal of Plymouth Argyle full-back Damien McCrory until 31 December. The 18-year-old Irishman first joined the Valiants in October and has made six first-team appearances. Manager Dean Glover told Radio Stoke: "He's come in and done exceptionally well. "Now we just hope there are no problems with getting the paperwork through and we are happy to be able to keep Damien until the New Year." McCrory will however miss the Valiants' next two League Two fixtures. The left-back has been called up to the Republic of Ireland under-19 squad, ruling him out of the games with Wycombe and Barnet.

Brammer considers Valiants offer
Midfielder Dave Brammer is considering the offer of a short-term contract at League Two side Port Vale. Brammer, who had been on loan at Vale Park from Millwall since October, came to agreement on Tuesday over his release from the London club. Manager Dean Glover told BBC Radio Stoke: "Now Dave has been released by Millwall I can try and entice him to stay here until the end of the season. "I'll sit down with Dave and his agent and try and negotiate something." Glover added that the financial constraints placed upon him means he cannot look much further than the end of the current campaign. "It's a building period for the club because the financial problems in the country have hit everybody," said Glover. "We have to get the players in that we can afford that we feel will improve the team. "That will probably be short-term at the moment because we need to stabilise the position we're in."

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