by Steve Shaw

PORT VALE joint-vice chairman Dave Smith will step down from the club's board before the start of the new season.

The 53-year-old says he is no longer able to devote sufficient time to the role while also being a director of Burslem-based contract publishers Smith Davis Press Ltd.

Smith has been a Vale director since May 2003, when the club was bought out of administration by fans' group Valiant 2001.

He was made joint-vice chairman a year later, alongside fellow director Peter Jackson.

However, the lifelong Valiants fan feels he is now unable to devote enough time to the role he juggles with being a director of Burslem-based contract publishers Smith Davis Press Ltd.

While it is understood Smith has been ready to step down for a number of months his resignation was only confirmed in the past fortnight.

He is expected to leave the board before Vale's 2009/10 League Two campaign kicks off on August 8.

Smith explained: "I became involved financially during the dark days when Vale were in administration and I accepted (Vale chairman) Bill Bratt's invitation to join the new board for six months until the club was on an even keel. It has been a long six months.

"Business commitments are making it difficult to give the time I would like to being a director and I believe it is best for me to stand down.

"I will continue to support the team from the terraces, which I have done since I was nine-years-old, and I will do what I can to help the club as a season ticket-holder and shareholder."

At this stage it is not clear whether Smith's position on the board will be filled.

He played his part in ensuring Vale's survival in 2003 by buying £25,000 worth of shares when Valiant 2001 took the club out of administration.

Despite his resignation, the former Sentinel journalist insists he has no plans to cash in on his shares.

Smith is credited with helping to attract crucial funds to the club during his six-year tenure, while he has also been influential in boosting the club's public relations profile.

More recently, he gave his backing to Micky Adams as the club's new manager.

"I believe Micky Adams is an excellent appointment and I feel optimism that Vale will soon be on the way up again," Smith added.

He added: "I wish Bill Bratt and the rest of the board good luck in their endeavours to progress the club – for the sake of our loyal supporters."

YOUTH graduate Paul Dixon, aged 18, has rejected the club's offer of one-year contract deal.