I KNEW MY TIME WAS UP AT VALE SAYS MICKY

MICKY ADAMS believes he has left Port Vale in a stronger position than where he found them after stepping down as manager following six straight defeats.

A 3-0 defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday proved to be the final straw that drew an end to his second spell at the club, after he left briefly in 2010 to become Sheffield United boss.

Adams said:“It is with great sadness that I have decided to leave Port Vale but I believe I am leaving the club in a stronger position than when I joined.”

Adams, who returned to Vale Park in 2011, led the side to promotion from League Two last season.

The 52-year-old admitted one of the reasons he has decided to leave the club was because he did not want to tarnish his relationship with Vale fans.

He added: “This has not been an easy decision to make, which has been made even more difficult by the strong relationships I have forged during my time at the club.

“I didn’t want to sour the relationship I had with the majority of supporters.

“From a selfish and financial point of view I could have stayed on, but I didn’t want to do that when I believed my time was up.”

Adams decided to resign after extensive talks with chairman Norman Smurthwaite. He parted company with the club on good terms and praised Smurthwaite for his support, while recommending he appoints his assistant Rob Page as his replacement.