I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF MY TIME AT VALE, SAYS OYELEKE
MANNY Oyeleke says he will only have fond memories of his time at Port Vale after leaving the club to take on a new challenge.
The 28-year-old midfielder brought an end to his spell at Vale Park earlier this week by signing a twoyear deal with National League side Chesterfield.
Oyeleke joined the Valiants in the summer of 2018 and proved to be an instant hit in the middle of midfield.
Injuries affected his time at Vale, although he made 63 appearances for the club and scored five goals.
Arguably his best strike in a Valiants shirt was a stunning longrange injury-time equaliser at Lincoln City on New Year’s Day 2019.
Oyeleke, who was out of contract at the end of the campaign, played 23 times this season and was a regular starter in recent weeks as Vale embarked on a run of six successive wins to secure their safety in League Two.
However, he has now been reunited with Chesterfield boss James Rowe after the Spireites paid an undisclosed fee to secure Oyeleke’s services.
The midfielder had previously worked with Rowe while at Aldershot.
Oyeleke took to social media to express his gratitude for his threeyear spell in Burslem.
He said: “I’ve had a very enjoyable three years at Port Vale, not just on the pitch but off it too.
“I enjoyed every minute training and playing for this great club and made some lifelong friends along the way.
“I wish I could have been able to play more over the years, but when I look back I will only have fond memories of this club and all of the people surrounding it.
“Learnt things that I never have in London like “ayup” and calling people ‘duck’!
“But in all seriousness thank you to the fans who have been so supportive of me when I was playing well, bad or not playing at all.
“Thanks to the three managers I played under as I learned a lot from each of you and thank you to my team-mates for letting me be part of one of the best dressing room I have been in.
“I wish Port Vale all the best for the future and to leave winning six on the bounce is a great achievement. #UTV #foreveravaliant.”
Port Vale defender Leon Legge tweeted his best wishes to the departing midfielder.
He posted: “Known @ Mannyoyeleke for about 11 years now. Was a pleasure to share a changing room with this guy again, last 6 games he’s made a massive
difference in the side. Hope he goes and smashes it at @Chesterfieldfc good luck bro.”
Oyeleke was quickly handed his Chesterfield debut as he started Tuesday night’s 0-0 home draw against Boreham Wood.
The draw nudged the Spireites up to fifth in the table as they attempt to secure a play-off place in their bid to return to the Football League.
Chesterfield manager Rowe says there were glimpses of Oyeleke’s talent on his debut.
He told the club’s website: “Manny showed his quality and strength. It was a difficult game to come in, but he’s fitted in to the group.
“He’s a ball player and can mix it. He ground the opposition down with his performance and broke through near the end but got shepherded away.
“He can play as a four or an eight. It was a tough game, but he has showed his worth.
“Manny’s the right character. When you add to the group, whether that’s a player or staff, you want to add value.
“He does that with his character, experience and technical ability.”
Meanwhile, Port Vale have been named the Your Move EFL Community Club of the Year for the Midlands Region.