Port Vale: Horsfield appointed as assistant
by Michael Baggaley
PORT Vale have this morning appointed striker Geoff Horsfield as their new assistant manager.
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The 35-year-old hit man will also be available to play for the Valiants and aims to feature in the majority of their matches next season.
Horsfield retired after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last October, but has made a full recovery and finished last season with Lincoln.
The former bricklayer, who began his career playing part-time for Scarborough, has scored 126 goals in close to 400 appearances. His former clubs include Fulham, Birmingham, and West Brom.
As a player, the target man offers the Valiants an alternative to Marc Richards, and can pass on his experience to Vale’s young strikers, Danny Glover, James Lawrie and Steve
Thompson.
Horsfield starts work immediately for Adams, who has been working without an assistant since starting work on July 1.
He approached former Hull striker Dean Windass about the job and also offered the job to Chesterfield defender Robert Page, who served as his captain during his time as Coventry boss.
Former Vale star Gareth Ainsworth was also under consideration.
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by Dave, Bucknall
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 6:33PM
“what a fantastic appointment, universally admired & respected by suppporters of all his previous clubs & fans of football in general, great leadership qualities & still a good striker, well done Mickey Adams & well done Vale”
by bill, Spain
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 6:02PM
“Micky wants in your face football now he has perfect leader for team.
Great News
Booking my flights now to see Vale this season.
Vale forever”
by Philip, Trentham
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 3:56PM
“An interesting appointment Micky, made with forsight and understanding. Just what Vale have been lacking of late, Some brilliant lateral thinking Micky, to get in two appointments for the cost of one - are you watching Bratty ?
Horsefield's apointment will bring to the Vale three vital ingredients sadly lacking in recent years: Guile, Strength, and Enthusiasm, the likes of which some past custodians of the forward line had in abundance; e.g. the likes of Bernie Wright, Bob Newton, and Ron Futcher. These sort of players play an old fashioned type of football whereby their actions not only raise the temperature of a game, but also the temperature of the crowd - and what we need is a crowd thats behing the Vale all the way.
The aforementioned went down in Vale folklore history and were prepared to give their all in the cause; Rudgie called it 'steel' (Jim Steel... there's another one), not just physical steel, but also mental (no inference intended to Bob Newton there). What have all of the above players got in common; they all played in successful Vale sides, most winning promotion too !
At 35, big Geoff may not be a 90 minute/46 game man, but if he can pass on a little of what he has to our current crop (Richards, Glover, Lawrie, Thomson, and not forgetting the young Gary Lineker'esque Dodds), then this will turn out to be money well spent !
Well done Micky, and welcome Geoff.”
by Steve, Ottawa
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 3:31PM
“Great signing, lots experience, great character, been there done that and will bring tons of grit to the team..
Whats happened on the investment front!!! gotta give Mickey a bit of money!! and he'll have a strong team then”
by Adam, London
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 2:39PM
“I'm in enemy territory here as I'm a Stoke fan but a great appointment for the Vale. A good player with a great attitude and work ethic. Good luck to Horsfield and the Vale this year.”