PHIL BOWERS

@ philjbowers

Last season was emotional: fans being back at Vale Park played a massive part in promotion. There was huge backing for manager Darrell Clarke, who went through a close personal bereavement and then returned for the last four games, ending in a play- off final win. This season will be different because

Vale will be competing with some real heavyweights. We were one of the big clubs in League Two and our quality at key times saw off promotion rivals. This year we’ll no longer be one of the big fish, and we’ll have to dig deep.

Our key player will be James Wilson, after a career- best 15 goals. He’s found a home, eight years after scoring on his first start for Manchester United.

Our most underrated player is Tom Pett, consistently in the top two for successful tackles in League Two last term. He gets on with minimum fuss. The opposition player who grinds my

gears would have been ex- Vale striker Harry Mckirdy after his social media antics between the two play- off semi- finals against Swindon – but he may well be forgiven after his missed penalty helped send us to Wembley.

Fans think our owner is one of the best. Carol Shanahan [ below] has made fans feel part of the club once more, after several years of feeling disenfranchised by previous owners. I’m least looking forward to playing

Sheffield Wednesday. Though it’s an away trip to look forward to, they’re big promotion favourites and will be smarting after their play- off defeat. The opposition player I’d love here is

Plymouth’s Danny Mayor. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is overwhelmingly positive. Clarke is decisive and adapts tactically to deal with different challenges. Promotion after seasons of disappointment will stick in the supporters’ memories. If he left, he should be replaced by his assistant Andy Crosby, who led the team on a phenomenal run when he stepped up in Clarke’s absence. The pantomime villain will be

Charlton boss Ben Garner, last season of Swindon, who claimed that the Vale Park pitch hadn’t been watered before May’s play- off semi- final. We’ll finish 14th.

FFT VERDICT

23RD

Vale’s front- foot 3- 5- 2 sustained pressure superbly in League Two, but the defence isn’t the quickest. While Wilson and Jamie Proctor might cause damage at one end, Clarke’s side could get picked off at the other by better opponents who can be more ruthless on the break.