BILL Bratt has defended his record as Vale's chairman and chief executive as he prepares to ease his workload, writes Steve Shaw.

The 64-year-old, pictured right, announced earlier this week he was stepping down as chief executive, but he will remain as chairman until at least the end of the season.

Bratt was appointed chief executive in May 2006, three years after being installed as chairman in the aftermath of Valiant 2001 rescuing the club from administration.

"The club's board have taken the club more than seven years down the line despite some people saying we'd go bust in three months," said Bratt.

"Every year some people have said we'd go into administration, but that hasn't happened because we've fought hard.

"Vale Park is massively different compared to when we took it on.

"We're proud to have created the Enterprise and Children's Centres over the past two years.

"We've also got the multi-sports hall which is 90 per cent complete."

Bratt has been forced to navigate Vale through choppy financial waters during his tenure, a task which has been made more difficult by the general economic downturn.

Vale lost around £400,000 last season and their current debts are believed to exceed £2m.

But Vale have paid off around £300,000 of the £2.25m loan from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The club have only been required to pay the interest on the loan since last year, but will resume making capital repayments next season.

"We've raised the profile of the club and we've put ourselves on a fairly sound financial footing," added Bratt. "Compared to other clubs, our financial situation is very good – our level of debt is manageable."

Bratt was awarded an MBE last November for his services to sport, which recognised his work at Vale and with amateur side Stone Town.

The lifelong Vale fan will always be credited for working tirelessly behind the scenes to help keep the club afloat.

Bratt's achievements include attracting investment from pop star Robbie Williams, loans from the city council and overseeing the redevelopment of Vale Park into a community facility. But he has also received criticism from the club's fans over issues such as the board's failure to secure significant new investment.

Last month the club's eight directors came under close scrutiny for rejecting a £500,000 investment offer from New York-based hedge-fund trader Mike Newton.

"It's been an extremely hard job – a lot harder than I ever thought it would be," admitted Bratt.

"I take things to heart, so some of the criticism has hurt me.

"But some fans don't realise what has to be done at a football club. They criticise from afar, but they're not prepared to stand in the firing line.

"But the majority of them have been great to me and know I've tried my best for the club."

In recent seasons, Vale's fortunes on the pitch have declined, which culminated in relegation from League One and an 18th-placed finish in the bottom tier in 2008/2009.

But current boss Micky Adams has already gone some way to reversing their fortunes since replacing Dean Glover in June last year.

"Despite appointing different managers, it hasn't gone very well for us on the pitch," admitted Bratt.

"Getting things right there is the most important thing and that has been our main priority.

"We've made mistakes, but they've been honest mistakes and we've always held our hands up to those.

"I'd like to think we can achieve promotion this season. But if I knew what was going to happen I'd win the pools every week."

Bratt will remain as chief executive for the next two months while the club search for his permanent successor.

Fellow director Graham Mudie will perform the role on a temporary basis if the club fail to make an appointment after two months.

"Being chief executive has been an interesting ride because I've met people from all walks of life," said Bratt.

"The board have done a good job and all we have ever wanted is to make sure the club survives for future generations."