ASKEY: I’D LOVE TO BE VALE BOSS
League Two club seek new manager...
BOOKIES’ favourite John Askey has confirmed he would love the chance to take the reins at Port Vale, describing it as a ‘perfect fit’.
Former manager Neil Aspin brought the curtain down on his 15-month reign when he resigned on Wednesday, the day after a 0-0 draw at Newport.
Ex-Macclesfield and Shrewsbury boss Askey was quickly installed as favourite for the job, so much so that bookies suspended the betting for a time.
Part of the reason why Askey has been so heavily linked with the Valiants is because of his connections with the club. His father Colin spent a big part of his playing career with Port Vale, while John was on the club’s books as a youngster.
Difficult
Askey led unfancied Macclesfield to the National League title last season, but then left for League One Shrewsbury in the summer. However, he was sacked after just five months in charge.
The Port Vale job could be the ideal chance for him to return to EFL management.
The 54-year-old, who has been interviewed, told The FLP: “It’s a job that I would love to get – and it would be a perfect fit for me. I’m from the area, my dad played for the club and I was there as a youngster.
“I know the area and I have a feeling for the club – it’s a club dear to my heart. I know people who work there and I have great respect for the CEO Colin Garlick. I have known him for 20 years.”
Vale legend Aspin fell on his sword in midweek after mounting pressure in recent weeks. He arrived in October 2017 with Vale in the lower reaches of League Two and kept them up.
However, they have failed to spark this season and were 18th in the table heading into the weekend, six points above the drop zone.
In a statement, he said: “I inherited a very difficult job with the club staring relegation in the face. I am very proud of the job we did in keeping the club in League Two and we leave the club in a better place on and off the pitch.
“I fully accept results from December have been poor. We expected to be higher up the table and I know the players are capable of doing that.
“The one thing I haven’t had since I’ve been at the club is a bit of luck which is what every manager needs. Hopefully a change of manager will bring this.”
Meanwhile, Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite has responded to the news that fedup fans, who are unhappy with his management of the club, are planning to hold a protest against him at the home game against Morecambe on February 16.
Signings
He said in a statement: “For my part it is a democratic right for people to protest and I fully support that…
“(But) I have a genuine concern of the impact the negative press is having on the club. Commercially we have already seen examples of sponsors cancelling attendance at fixtures due to fears of being caught up in what is seen as an unpleasant protest and time of uncertainty at the club.
“The morale of the players is also affected at a time they need your full support as they look to turn things around.”
Smurthwaite also referred to the managerial situation.
“In due course the club will be appointing a new manager and backroom staff. It is no secret that (midfielder) Danny Pugh is working with the team until the appointment of a new manager is finalised,” he said.
On the playing side, Vale made four signings, three on loan, on transfer deadline day. The loan trio are West Brom defender Kyle Howkins, 22, Manchester United midfielder Callum Whelan, 20, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Toby Edser, 19. Midfielder Daniel Trickett-Smith, 23, has joined until 2021 from Leek Town, but will be loaned back to them for the rest of the season.