BOOKIES HAVE SAY ON VALIANTS’ CHANCES OF SEALING TROPHY GLORY
PORT Vale have been made ninth favourites to win the Papa John’s Trophy ahead of next week’s round of 32 tie at home to Barnsley. The game has been arranged for next Wednesday, November 23, with a 7.30pm kick off. Vale made something of a statement in their group, winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal to guarantee a home tie in the knockout stages as group winners.
The competition has certainly proved useful for Darrell Clarke who made 11 changes from his league side for two of those matches, using the Trophy games as a way of keeping players involved if they haven’t been getting regular minutes in the league.
Clarke’s tendency to make multiple changes for league games means plenty of the players have been kept involved anyway but performances in the Trophy have illustrated the strength in depth in the squad at Vale Park.
The Vale won this trophy under John Rudge, in 1993, and Brian Horton in 2001, and made clear from the opening group game that they would like to go far in this year’s competition. The bookies clearly feel they have a chance, albeit an outside one at 25/1. The competition favourites are Ipswich, followed by Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Bolton, Charlton, Barnsley and MK Dons.
· FORMER Port Vale manager John Askey has lost his job at York City, the club has announced. Askey, from Milton, led the Minstermen to promotion from the National League North last season and departs with them 12th in the National League.
So, he’s unlikely to be short of offers having also got a promotion to the Football League with Macclesfield on his CV, having led them to the National League title in 2017/18.
Askey, aged 58, was appointed York manager last November and guided them to promotion via the play-offs to end their fiveyear stay in the National League North.
He then reportedly turned down the chance to move to League Two Rochdale in the summer.
His exit has caused something of a stir, with even some of the club’s own players condemning the decision to let him go. The York Press reports: “Commenting on York’s confirmation of the news on Instagram, City defender Michael Duckworth slammed the move as an “outrageous decision”. Fellow right-back Ryan Fallowfield described the sacking as “madness.” York confirmed his departure on Wednesday, saying they understand fans may be upset about the decision: “Following a number of discussions between the board and John Askey in recent weeks, York City Football Club has today decided to part company by ending his contract of employment. “Given John’s popularity and his incredible success last season, we understand that many fans may be upset and confused by this decision. “However, after taking numerous factors into consideration the board are confident that it is in the best interests of the football club. “Recruitment of a new manager will commence immediately, and we aim to make an appointment by the end of the month. An interim manager will be appointed from within the club’s existing staff, with a further announcement due shortly.
“We are eternally grateful to John for his efforts to help us gain promotion last season and wish him the very best of luck in his future career.”
Askey managed Vale from 2019 to 2021 and is the son of Vale legend Colin Askey who was a member of the 1953/54 side that reached the FA Cup semifinals.
Colin celebrated his 90th birthday last month. · FORMER Vale keeper Scott Brown has left Exeter City to join Rotherham United.
The 37-year-old, who was Exeter’s goalkeeper coach as well as being a registered player, is following manager Matt Taylor who left the Grecians for the Millers Brown made 144 appearances for Vale, from 2018 to 2021, after being recruited by Neil Aspin, and was also named player of the year.
Brown will link with the Millers on their training camp in Cyprus as the Championship takes a break.