Port Vale

Collins and Brammer sign for Vale
Port Vale have completed the permanent signings of Lee Collins and Dave Brammer in time for this weekend's game at home to Shrewsbury Town. Collins, 20, has signed from Wolves on a two-and-a-half-year contract, while 33-year-old Brammer has signed until the end of the season. Manager Dean Glover told Radio Stoke: "They're good acquisitions. It's good to get them on board. "Dave's experience is vital to us. He will help the younger players." Brammer, who was released from his Millwall contract this week, returns to the club for a second time after playing 83 games for the Valiants between 1999 and 2001. The one-time player of the year joined Crewe for £350,000 before spells at Stoke City and lastly Millwall. Collins will turn out for the first time as a fully-fledged Vale player on Saturday against Shrewsbury. And he will hope for a better personal outcome than this season's first meeting. He was sent off for a foul on Shrewsbury's Kelvin Langmead, a second bookable offence, in the dying minutes, just after the home side had equalised. But, with 10 men, Vale responded by going up the other end to hit the winner through Marc Richards and earn Dean Glover his first victory as manager.

Owen demanding Port Vale upturn
Port Vale defender Gareth Owen has called for an instant improvement from the Valiants in order to halt their poor run of form. Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Notts County means Vale have won just one of their last seven League Two matches. Owen told Radio Stoke: "There's no easy way around it, we have to take responsibility for our performances. "Once the performances improve then hopefully the results will come and we will climb the table." The 26-year-old sealed a permanent move to the Burslem club last week after spending time on loan at Vale Park from Stockport County earlier this season. The defeat at Meadow Lane was his first since completing his move to Vale and Owen said he hopes to bring some much needed solidity to the Valiants' defence. "You can say that some of our attacking football is good but I do raise questions about our ability to play as a solid unit," Owen said. "We have to work harder at the ugly side of football - getting behind the ball and putting tackles in. "Everyone who goes out there has a responsibility to Port Vale to give everything they can and, sometimes, I don't think we do that," he added.

Vale chairman faces huge losses
Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt will lose his life savings if the club goes into administration for a second time, reports Radio Stoke. The League Two club have been in financial difficulty since a supporters' group, headed by Bratt, saved the club from extinction in 2003. "I would lose my life savings to start off with, because that's all gone into the club anyway," said Bratt. "Everybody would have to put £50,000 to £100,000 in to cover their guarantees." Bratt also said offers of investment have been made to help the club out of financial trouble, but that those offers have been unsuitable. He added: "You can't spend money you haven't got, and we haven't got any more money to put in. "The that have come into the club previously haven't either, because when you ask for proof of funding, it hasn't been forthcoming." Vale went into administration in 2003, but were saved from receivership by supporters' group Valiant 2001 after a lengthy takeover bid. After their relegation to League Two, the club were boosted by the sale of 6,500 season tickets at reduced prices. However, Bratt does not think he will be able to offer the same deal - an adult season ticket cost £183 in 2008/09 - again for the 2009/10 season. "I'd love to offer the same deal to the supporters but we need to sell 5,000 because we need to get the same amount of money that we have in the last couple of seasons through the gate," said the Vale chairman. "To let them have it at that price, it's got to be 5,000 minimum." Earlier this season, the club avoided what could have become a long and expensive court battle with former manager Lee Sinnott. Sinnott, who was sacked in September 2008, began legal proceedings against Vale claiming his settlement payment had not been made in full within 28 days of his dismissal. The club agreed an out-of-court settlement with Sinnott in February. Also last month, Bratt announced that the club's majority shareholder, pop star Robbie Williams, would not be making any more investment in Port Vale. On the pitch, things have gone little better for the team - they have rarely looked like mounting a promotion challenge in their first campaign in League Two. At least 200 supporters protested against the board and manager Dean Glover after their last home match, a 3-1 defeat against Luton on 28 February.

Jarrett wants fresh start at Vale
Jason Jarrett has said he is hoping to resurrect his career at Port Vale after signing a short-term contract. The 30-year-old will stay at Vale Park until 28 December and told Radio Stoke that he wants to take his chance. "The last three or four years have been a real low point for me and I've spent too long sulking about it," said the former Wigan and Preston midfielder. "I just want to resurrect my career and see where it takes me. Hopefully this is the platform to show what I can do." Jarrett played under Micky Adams during his time at Brighton and he said the Vale manager helped sell the club to him. "I get on with him and I know I can trust him," said Jarrett. "His door's always open and he's always been honest with me, and that's why I think that Port Vale is an ideal place for me to come and play." Jarrett is poised to make his Vale debut on Saturday, when the League Two leaders Bournemouth are the visitors to Vale Park.

Vale's Geoff Horsfield may consider retirement
Port Vale assistant manager Geoff Horsfield admits that he may retire from football at the end of the season, if his injury record does not improve. The 36-year-old has managed just one start and 10 substitute appearances since his arrival at Vale Park in July. Horsfield told Radio Stoke: "I keep picking niggling injuries up. "I'll be working towards playing next season, but I'll review it at the end of the season. If I keep picking those injuries up, I'll call it a day." Former Fulham, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion striker Horsfield has made almost 400 appearances, scoring 126 goals, since making his name by firing Halifax Town back into the Football League in 1998 at the age of 25. He is currently on the verge of full fitness after another six weeks out of action with a torn hamstring. And Horsfield, who beat cancer to return to league football with Vale last summer, hopes to be involved when Macclesfield visit Vale Park on 23 January. "With not having any games, I've been able to get my fitness work in," said Horsfield, "not on the training pitch but in the gym. "Hopefully I'll not be too far away when that game comes."

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