DEAN GLOVER

Age: 44

Born: Birmingham

Vale playing record: 430 games, 20 goals

Background: Popular, classy defender joined Vale for a club record £200,000 from Middlesbrough in February 1989. Won promotions with Vale in 1989-90 and 1993-94, as well as captaining the side which won the Autoglass Trophy in 1993. Given free transfer in 1998, but after short spell at Kidderminster, he re-joined club as youth-team coach. After a spell as director of football at Stone Dominoes, he returned as assistant manager to Martin Foyle in February 2004.

Managerial experience: Assistant manager since February 2004, bar an eight-game spell from September to November 2007 when he was caretaker manager following Martin Foyle's dismissal. Won two and lost six.

ANDY PORTER

Age: 40

Born: Congleton

Vale playing record: 447 games, 26 goals

Background: Popular, battling midfielder who came through Vale's YTS scheme. Won promotions with the club in 1988-1989 and 1993-1994, and the 1993 Autoglass Trophy. Joined Wigan on a free transfer in 1998, but returned to Vale to coach in the youth team in 2003.

Managerial experience: Had a brief spell in charge of Kidsgrove five years ago before joining the Vale youth set-up. Has been in charge of the youth side since February 2004. The highlight was leading the side to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last season, defeating Tottenham on the way. Has also managed the reserve team for the last two years.