RETIRING YATES IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
DEFENDER Adam Yates will be given a testimonial by Port Vale after being forced to retire this week due to “life-changing” injuries suffered during a reserve game at the club’s training ground in November.
The 34-year-old suffered a fractured nose, cheekbones and eye sockets after clashing with goalkeeper Sam Hornby. He also broke his upper jaw and wrist.
Yates was the club’s longest-serving player, having joined in 2009 from Morecambe, and made 248 appearances, enjoying two promotion campaigns.
He said: “I would like to thank the club for the offer of a testimonial which will be announced in due course.
“I am now looking forward to a new chapter in my life having been given the opportunity by the Port Vale Foundation and Synectics Solutions Ltd to drive the club’s community initiatives and use the experiences during my career to create a new path.
“With the continued help of the PFA I can help use my unfortunate incident to educate fellow players on planning for life after football which is an aspect we as players don’t quite envisage.
“Football has given me over 30 years of memories, both good and bad, that will live with me for the rest of my life – from my very first games at ‘Milton lads n Dads’, playing at Wembley, my promotions, relegations and finally the subsequent news given the severity of the injury.
“The injury is both career-ending and lifechanging. However, I wouldn’t change a single moment of my journey if given the chance.”
Vale manager Neil Aspin added: “It’s a sad day when any player has to retire, but it’s a sensible choice to retire at his age with the injuries he sustained.
“Hopefully his association with the club will continue for a long time.”