ASSISTANT CROSBY FULLY DESERVED TO LEAD VALE OUT FOR FINAL, SAYS CLARKE
DARRELL Clarke asked Andy Crosby to lead Port Vale out at Wembley as recognition for his impact on the team in unimaginable circumstances.
Assistant Crosby was thrust into the Vale hot seat in February after Clarke was rocked by the sudden death of his daughter Ellie, aged 18.
That support has not gone unappreciated. “I thought it was the right decision,” said Clarke. “We build the club on ‘we’ not ‘I’. That’s what we’re about, coming from the owners, the Shanahan family, Carol and Kevin and the whole family. That’s what we build.
“Andy took over in the hardest circumstances imaginable with the group of players and did a fantastic job. I thought it was fitting for him to lead the team out. We’re a team here.
“There’s no personal accolades for me, it’s all about what we do as a group.”
Clarke and Crosby then stood together in the technical area wondering if they were dreaming the first half.
Mansfield gave them an early scare when there was a mix-up between Aidan Stone and James Gibbons but two goals in four minutes from Kian Harratt - whose dad whipped off his top in celebration in the stands - and James Wilson put Vale firmly in command.
Clarke said: “Two goals in four minutes certainly helps, doesn’t it? Two good finishes as well. We did hit the post just beforehand which I thought was in. It’s nice to get that but it’s the play-off final, anything can happen. I thought we were superb. I thought the boys brought their A game.”
It was soon 2-0 against 10 men after Oli Hawkins was sent off for two yellow card offences... but 2-0 against 10 men with 45 minutes to go wasn’t game over, insisted the manager.
He said: “Certainly (there is a danger of complacency). We played against Bristol Rovers earlier in the season and we were 2-0 up and I think they went down to nine men. But they got it back to 2-1 and we were very poor. That was reminded to them at half-time.
“We did a professional job in the second half. We had one or two goals chalked off for offside but we got the third in the end and it was less nervy, which was nice.”
Clarke has now headed on holiday with his wife and family.
He said: “We’re going to Greece for a week, the phone will be off. I won’t do interviews. We just want to go away and mend the family. That’s the plan.
“The players will enjoy it but one is getting married (on Sunday)! They’re on holidays! It’s been 49 weeks of the season.
“It’ll have to all be put on hold. We might have a get together when we get back for pre-season in about eight days. Only kidding.
“We’ll crack on, League One next year. I’m delighted.”