Robbie Earle: Let's pray Vale's latest saviour really means business
I'M KEEPING my fingers crossed that a knight in shining armour really did ride into Burslem this week.
The 3-0 win over Oxford on Monday was great news, especially as it kept Port Vale second in the League Two table.
But Tuesday's developments could be infinitely more important for Vale's long-term future after Paul Wildes' bid to become the club's new owner was endorsed by administrators.
Before we proclaim the building of a new empire, we mustn't forget that Vale have already been courted by several would-be emperors with no clothes.
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However, Wildes, a baby-faced millionaire who controls a diverse group of businesses, is making all the right noises.
I must admit, I've have been encouraged by the 36-year-old's understated demeanour.
He looks like a serious businessman who is talking sense rather than promising the earth.
His insistence that he will use some of his everyday business practices to help knock Vale into shape certainly adds up.
I also like the way he has stressed the importance of turning the football club into a viable business utilising his commercial acumen.
Vale Park is one of the biggest football sites in the country and has plenty of potential that has never been realised.
Of course, what happens on the pitch is also crucial, and Wildes must be aware of the sterling job Micky Adams has done on a relative shoestring budget.
In recognition of that, Wildes would do well to secure the services of his under-rated manager on a long-term basis.
That would help ensure he's not poached on the cheap again, as he was by Sheffield United two years ago.
With Vale just three points behind leaders Gillingham, Adams has done magnificently to achieve what he has with such a threadbare squad.
But we are approaching the time of year when injuries and suspensions can start to have an impact on a team's ambitions.
The demands of the winter months during a gruelling 46-match season have a big bearing on a club's ability to stay the course, and Vale will be aware of that.
So Micky will hopefully be given the financial support to recruit one or two players to help ensure this great start is not wasted.
I also hope it wasn't just clever PR speak when Wildes said he was keen to involve Vale's long-suffering fans in his plans.
They have seen some seriously dark days in recent years as their club has twice slipped into administration.
All this while the club from the red and white half of the city has gone from strength to strength.
However, Stoke's City's success has never deterred the real Vale fans from supporting their club.
So Wildes is taking on a tremendously loyal, committed bunch of supporters who just want to see their club run in the right manner.
Of course there will be differences of opinion from time to time between chairman and fans. That's just the nature of the business.
I just hope the possibility of this takeover doesn't produce a collective sigh of relief before the team and club start to lose focus.
That said, everyone involved at Port Vale, including the administrators, should take a huge sense of pride from the club's current position and standing in the game. There are plenty of people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep this great little club going.
It would be criminal to allow all that hard work go to waste at a time when there is so much to look forward to.
I have not even had time to properly do justice to the work of Adams, Mark Grew and Robert Page.
Or the form of a team who boast seven wins two draws and just one defeat in their last 10 games
Or the goalscoring phenomenon that is local boy Tom Pope, his 13 goals from 15 games making him the quickest Vale player to reach double figures in a season since the second world war.
But right now the security of the club's future is my priority. I just pray it's not another false dawn.
Comments
by laythevale
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:28PM
“by Vale_For_Real
Thursday, October 18 2012, 4:18PM
"When Micky was brought back to the club in May 2011 he was given a three-year contract which I think must go up to 30 June 2014 most football contracts end in June. Valiant 2001 deserve some credit for that long contract because Micky and his staff, together with nearly all of the club's admin staff, have been a shining light for Vale during a time when some around the club (including Valiant 2001 in other areas) and quite a few on the terraces and messageboards have really not covered themselves in glory."
Steady on youth. Better put your tin hat on with comments like that. After several months of keeping a low profile in case it all went pear shaped and someone blamed them - the mob are now sticking their heads up above the parapet to claim all the credit! They know where the new guy lives, have stock-piled some moisture resistant jiffy bags and feel bullish enough to start re-writing history in their favour (their favourite pastime)
The Fabulous Baker Boys. What heroes they are!”
by Vale_For_Real
Thursday, October 18 2012, 4:18PM
“Robbie said
"Of course, what happens on the pitch is also crucial, and Wildes must be aware of the sterling job Micky Adams has done on a relative shoestring budget.
In recognition of that, Wildes would do well to secure the services of his under-rated manager on a long-term basis."
When Micky was brought back to the club in May 2011 he was given a three-year contract which I think must go up to 30 June 2014 most football contracts end in June.
Valiant 2001 deserve some credit for that long contract because Micky and his staff, together with nearly all of the club's admin staff, have been a shining light for Vale during a time when some around the club (including Valiant 2001 in other areas) and quite a few on the terraces and messageboards have really not covered themselves in glory.
That long contract does give Mr Wildes some breathing space to get his feet under the desk.
He seems like a shrewd man so I'm sure he will have his own views when to offer Micky an extension beyond June 2014.
But you would think he would want it done well before the end of this season because if Micky can lead us to promotion then that is bound to generate interest from other clubs.
If Mr Wildes has looked at the history of the Vale he will know how hard it was after John Rudge to find a manager who really fits well at the Vale like everyone would agree Micky does.”
by wattomadeley
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:53PM
“A good article from Robbie and post from Algy7. Other clubs can sniff all they like but if Paul Wildes is serious about building for the future it is going to take one hell of an offer to buy any of our players. I don't think the bond between Micky and his staff / players will be easily broken.”
by algy7
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:43AM
“A good article Robbie, you have said what a good many people are thinking. One of the better things that are happening is that the players are now back on their original contracts, the next thing is to extend those contracts of players that end next year, to save any player being poached away from the club for peanuts. There is a rumour about that quite a few Championship clubs are sniffing around hoping to pick up a bargain; if the club wants to achieve promotion next may, then these clubs need to be told to "go-away" in no uncertain terms. The bond that Micky Adams, and his staff has generated within these players will soon disappear if any of them are allowed to leave before the job is done.
If the Vale do achieve promotion, and I certainly hope they do, then Micky and his staff should be given extensions to their contracts as a reward for their sterling efforts this season, in the face of such frustration that they have had to put up with.
I am beginning to warm to Mr. Wildes, now that I've read about what he intends to do at/to the club, I would like him to look into match day pricing to see if he can come up with some ideas to get more "bums on seats", 5,000+ average may be good for the league we are in, but if we do achieve promotion next year, then we need to attract another 2,000+ for league1, and that will not be easy. but here's hoping, KEEP THE FAITH.”