Chislett determined to play his part in helping Vale to recover

ETHAN Chislett was relegated from League One with AFC Wimbledon in 2022 in the summer when Port Vale were promoted. Now the talented Vale midfielder wants to help the club back up next season after experiencing the drop for the second time in three years.

The 25-year-old has had a good first season with the club, having enjoyed a superb spell under Andy Crosby in the early part of the campaign, although he did drop off at the start of this year.

Chislett, whose form in League Two for The Dons earned him his move to Vale Park, has been showing something of his best play of late and will want to sign off this season on a high.

Ahead of the last game of the season, at home to Cambridge United today, he was asked how he felt in the last few days on the realisation of another relegation he said: “I think we have had a couple of days to run it over, and I’ve done a lot of reflecting in those couple of days. Mostly on myself, because that is the first thing you should look at, I think.

“We go up as a team, we get relegated as a team. The bottom line is this year we haven’t scored enough goals as a team and we have conceded too many. That has led us to be in the position we’re in.”

Dealing with the low, and wanting to come back fresh after a break, Chislett added: “In football, generally speaking there are probably more downs than there are ups. You ride the downs and that makes the ups even better.

“I don’t think anything comes from negativity or negative energy. I am big believer in positive thinking and I think this club will bounce back from this season.

“As footballers, it’s a stressful game. You have to enjoy your off time, with your family and stuff like that. You need that break to come back and attack the new season because we have been relegated from League One, and our only thought process should be how are we going to bounce back into this league.”

Chislett, pictured, is not thinking about his contract situation – he has a year to go – and is only focused on giving his best.

“As soon as I put the shirt on, I want to perform for the badge,” he said. “Not just for myself. It’s not about your contract length or anything. The fans pay to watch you play and you should be playing for that and the love of the game. I don’t think worrying about contract situations and stuff like that is a help. That leads to short-term success but doesn’t help in terms of your long-term targets.”

Chislett loves it at Vale and, born in Durban, South Africa, he added: “I see a few South African flags pop up every now and again so for me personally it’s been amazing.

“Looking back, pre-christmas, we were at our best, we had that good run of form.

“Looking back at those days it was so positive. Hopefully next year will be very similar to that period.

“I hit double figures with my goals but that doesn’t just come from you on the pitch. The club have taken care of me massively, both gaffers [Andy Crosby and Darren Moore]. I have a lot of respect for them and the club.”