Martin Foyle Departs As Manager

A sad but inevitable day today as Vale parted company with Martin Foyle as manager after a string of bad results left Vale at their lowest league position for over 4 years. Martin will always be remembered as a Vale legend, and had great success as a player for the Valiants.
The second-highest scorer in the history of the club with 107 goals in 356 appearances. Foyle was signed for a then club record fee of £375,000 from Oxford United and was leading scorer in 1991-1992, 1993-1994 and 1998-1999. He was also voted Player of the Year on two occasions. Foyle was a member of the Autoglass Trophy winning side, the 1993-1994 promotion winning team and scored famous FA Cup goals against Stoke City and Liverpool. After retiring he became a coach and then Vale manager. Unfortunately he could not emulate his success as a player into being manager.

Bill Bratt Official Club Press Release

" It is with regret that the Club wish to announce that they have parted company with Martin Foyle by mutual consent. Martin has been a great servant to the club as a player under John Rudge, when he joined as a player from Oxford United, as a Youth Coach and finally as Manager - a total of some sixteen years.

During his time as manager his actions in the transfer market with players who had progressed from his youth squad have helped stabilise the Club since Valiant 2000 took over in 2003. No-one could have worked harder or longer to try and bring success to this club. Everyone at the club wishes Martin all the very best for the future and he will always be welcome at Vale Park "

Martin Foyle's Press Release

" I would like to thank the Chairman, Bill Bratt, and Vice Chairman, Peter Jackson, for giving me the opportunity to manage the Club I care so much about. We have had an excellent working relationship and they have both been very supportive in anything I have asked to do. I have been in charge for 3 1/2 years and have enjoyed the management role and have learnt so much in such a short space of time. The time is now right by going our own ways.

The club has progressed so much after coming out of administration and that credit is due to everyone at the Club. They have put in a lot of hours without getting their just rewards. A big thank you to my close friends and loyal staff who have backed me 100% in everything I did or said and I hop I have helped them individually to have a long career in football. I wish the players well and I hope they get the results for the hard work they have put in. They have been a credit to work with and with the support from everyone they will soon be back in the top half of the table.

Lastly I would like to thank the supporters who have been great to me over 16 years continued service at the Club. I know they have appreciated my loyalty which is very rare in football today. I have received some lovely letters an e-mails recently and I will be replying to them asap.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone at Port Vale."

Vale have put the vacant managers job up for grabs now, and no doubt rumours will be flying round about who will take over. For now Foyle's assistant Dean Glover will take temporary charge of team affairs for the match against Southend on Saturday. So far it has been rumoured that Glover may take over the job, or possibly Andy Porter, but both are inexperienced. Also rumored to be up for the post are Mike Newall, ex Luton boss, Martin Allen ex Brentford and Lou Macari ex Stoke manager, all of whom have managed successfully at this level. I personally feel if Vale want to progress then one of these must be in the frame, although I would not be apposed to Vale trying for another ex player Neil Aspin taking over at the helm. He has done an excellent job at Harrogate in the last couple of years and would be a favourite with the fans and has had experience of working with a small budget.

Foyle will be missed for his loyalty to the team as a player, coach and manager, and it is disappointing that his departure ended with sections of the crowd calling for his head, but football is an ever changing sport, and we are not the only club to depart with a hero. I wish Martin all the best in whatever he decides to do in the future and as a final tribute here are some of his greatest moments to remember him by.

Luton Town Vs Port Vale Saturday 22nd September 2007

Port Vale's bad run continued as they slumped to defeat at Kenilworth Road on Saturday. The pressure on Foyle now was increased as the teams performance left a lot to be desired by the travelling supporters, who let their frustrations be heard at the end of the game, yet again calling for Foyle's head. As it happens Vale should not of expected a result at Luton, the last time they won there was 1898, so the odds were against them from the start.

Foyle bowed to the crowd and started with Luke Rodgers alongside Callum Willock with McGoldrick playing just behind them in a three pronged attack, leaving Tudor on the bench. But the lack of width played into Luton's hand's, and Vale were run ragged from start to finish. To add to Foyle's despair his best player from recent weeks was sent off, leaving the next few week's looking increasingly difficult to see us picking points up from.

Luton started the better side and almost scored in the third minute after Goodall met Bell's corner, but Anyon saved well from the header. Goodall was a constant thorn in Vales side, and his through ball on 25 minutes had Anyon working again, when a through ball to Spring forced another save from the Vale keeper. Vale's only effort of the first half came when McGoldrick cut in and shot from 25 yards out, but his effort flew wide of the post. Vale fell behind on 29 minutes when veteran Paul Furlong n=met a cross from Bell and he volleyed home from 8 yards out leaving Anyon no chance.

Vale almost fell further behind when a Bell free kick was sent across the Vale goal line before Morgan blasted over the bar. But worse was to come for Vale on 43 minutes. Referee gave Vale a free kick for a foul on Whitaker, but Vale were prevented from taking it quickly. Westwood took it upon himself to dispute the decision by the ref as her gestured to the referee, but the ref was not amused, and sent the player off for foul and abusive language.

Westwood stood his ground to argue the decision, but that only made things worse as tempers both on and off the pitch flared, but this left the Vale with a mighty uphill task. Harsley switched to right back as McGregor went to center half in an attempt to fill the gap, but the second half was going to be a long one as the players trudged off to the away fans chants of 'Foyle Out'!

Half Time Score Luton Town 1 - 0 Port Vale

The second half saw not much change from the first half, with Vale on the back foot from the off. Harsley was replaced by Miller on 53 minutes as Luton began to show their dominance over Vale's 10 men. Furlong and Morgan continued to pressure the Vale back line, and Anyon had to scramble to save a weak header from Furlong. Vale then had a spot of luck when the referee disallowed what would of been Furlong and Luton's second goal for a foul in the area, Furlong disputed and was booked for his comments, funny how Westwood was sent off for his. Vale the brought on Richards for Willock on 61 minutes to try and give McGoldrick and Rodgers some help. Rodgers again had looked the only Vale player likely to score and his 20 yard shot was Vale's first of the half on 68 minutes. But it was again Luton who looked more dangerous, and efforts from Spring and Edwards were both saved well from Anyon. Tudor replaced McGoldrick on 71 minutes, but Vale were still looking more likely to concede than score themselves. The inevitable happened on 85 minutes when a sweeping move met Bell 25 yards out, and his shot fired passed Anyon into the goal off the post. Late on Vale got their first corner of the match on 90 minutes, and Tudors fine ball was met by Rodgers and headed past the keeper from close range for his fourth goal of the season. Vale threw everything forward in injury time but it was too little to late for the Valiant's.

Final Score Luton Town 2 - 1 Port Vale

Port Vale Line Up

1. Joe Anyon
2. George Pilkington
3. Mark McGregor
4. Ashley Westwood Sent Off 43 minutes
5. Paul Edwards
6. Paul Harsley (Justin Miller 53)
7. Craig Rocastle
8. Danny Whitaker
9. Callum Willock (Marc Richards 64 Booked 74)
10. Luke Rodgers
11. David McGoldrick (Shane Tudor 77)

Subs Not Used

• Robin Hulbert
• Jason Talbot

Today's Attendance: 6,084

Man Of The Match: George Pilkington

League One Standings

22. Millwall Pl 7 W 1 D 2 L 4 GF 3 GA 8 Pts 5

23. Port Vale Pl 7 W 1 D 2 L 4 GF 3 GA 8 Pts 5

24. Walsall Pl 7 W 1 D 2 L 4 GA 5 GA 11 Pts 5

After the game came a shock for the Vale fans who had called for Foyles head throughout the game, when keeper Joe Anyon was called over by a group of disgruntled Vale fans. But their comments fell on deaf ears as Anyon, one of Vales best players in recent weeks and a target for several Premiership clubs defended his under fire boss. Anyon said " The fans were shouting Foyle out and this that and the other and I shouldn't of got sucked in to it but I wanted to get mine and the players point across. They should try and do his job and see how hard it is working with what he has got. Its not like we are like the Forest's of this league who can go out and buy players. Forest were below us and underachieving and have players earning £7000 a week. We have players on £700 and £800 so its a totally different ball game. The manager has tried to bring players in, but you can only work with what you have got at a club like Vale "

Under-fire boss Foyle said after the match " We worked really hard in training all week but when we got on the pitch we just froze. We know what we want to do but it's just not happening for us at the moment. One or two didn't do the job's they were told too, but the referee didn't help matters. We have had some terrible ref's this season, but you can't talk to them as it's a waste of time. He sent Ashley off for saying something and if you appeal he may get a five match ban instead of three, so it's not worth it. The game changed after the sending off and we had a mountain to climb. "

This leaves Vale in 23rd spot in the league and deep in relegation trouble. This has been Vale's lowest league place since Foyle and Bratt took over three and a half years ago. Although only seven matches into the season, Vale have not once looked like getting anything out of the games they have lost, so the defeats were from poor performances, not from trying but being unlucky. The manager is quick to blame the players for their lack of 'carrying out his instructions' but if his instruction are bad then they will be playing poorly to his tactics. Anyon was right to defend his boss, all good players will do that. But his comments about the lack of funds being to blame baffle me! Foyle brings in the players with his limited budget, but when done and said all it his him that has signed them, so if they are not good enough then he is to blame. I feel for Foyle as he is loyal to the Vale and was a true hero as a player, but not all players make good managers, and Foyle's tactics are confusing enough for the fans let alone the players. Chairman Bill Bratt has got to take the lead in this matter, as if we slip into League Two then the gate's will drop to less than they are now, with no Forest or Leeds turning up to boost the attendances. This club is better than the position it is in, and the player's are suffering from stage fright it seems. I think if the fans got behind them on Saturday against Southend they would respond, but if not they will falter as they did against Forest. If we lose again, then Bratt should consider showing Foyle the door and maybe bringing in somebody like Mike Newell to try and get us out of the bottom half of the table. A well known manager may attract better players in rather that a fading fans favorite.

Port Vale Vs Notts Forest Saturday 15th September 2007

Poor, boring, incompetent, useless, unattractive, lack of passion, lack of guidance, inept, terrible. All good words that could describe all of Vale's home performances so far this season. One point from a possible nine and exit from the League Cup to a League Two side and all for the tidy sum of £71.00 if you were unfortunate enough to of had to of paid to get in. And are there any bright sparks on the horizon, well not from where I was sitting on Saturday. I cannot think of another club that starts it's top scorer from the bench, while the forward line put on the pitch would have a problem hitting a barn door with a very large target painted on it! And to top it all off we were out sang by a travelling support in the region of 2,500 (Don't believe The Sentinel there were more than 2,000 in Hamil End) which actually looked to have more fan's in than home fans! There is a deep crisis at the club at the moment. The manager looks clueless, but doesn't help himself with ludicrous team selection's. One of our best players has left, leaving a huge gap to be filled. The club is rife with takeover rumours. And the new signings have been on the whole appalling.

Forest were, on the whole, no better than Vale on the day. In the Forest line up was Neil Lennon, who clearly looks overweight and over the hill, and Kris Commons, the ex-Stokie who always plays well against Vale, started from the bench. The big named visitors have had as shaky start to the season as Vale have had, and were still looking for their first win of the campaign. They didn't have to wait long to get on top in this match. An early corner taken by Cohen was flicked on by Holt only to be blasted into his own net by Edwards in an attempt to clear the ball. They were unlucky to not be two ahead on five minutes when Agogo crossed in a ball which was met by Holt, whose fine header was saved by Anyon.
Vale were rocked by the early goal, but got there rhythm back as the half progressed. A chip from Danny Whitaker over the stranded Forest keeper landed on the roof of the net on nineteen minute's. McGoldrick then ran on into the box but his tame effort was knocked away by a Forest defender. Vale started the game with a change of partnership at the back, with Lowe coming in alongside Pilkinton, and Westwood moving to right back after Miller picked up a knock in training. This seemed to unsettle Pilkington, and Forest played on this throughout the half. Cohen easily beat Lowe, leaving Pilkington stranded, but in his eagerness to score, he dwelled on the ball to long and Westwood got back to clear up the danger.
Foyle was forced into a change when Lowe picked up an injury mid way through the half. This meant McGregor coming on as right back and Westwood slotting back in at his preferred center half position (Should of started the game with this back four Mr Foyle!). The change seemed to settle the Vale and they did start to push on towards the end of the half.

Rocastle , who has started to settle into the center midfield role, won the ball in the middle and threaded a ball to Harsley, but his low shot drifted wide of the post. Wilson then clattered into McGoldrick on the edge of the Forest box and from the resulting free kick Vale produced their best effort of the half. The ball was swung in by Harsley, and only a superb reflex save from the Forest keeper Smith denied Westwood equalising for the Vale.

Half Time Score Port Vale 0 - 1 Notts Forest

Vale had ended the first half well, and built on that almost from the start of the second half, when Whitaker missed another golden opportunity to equalise. McGoldrick won the ball and raced goalwards slipping the ball through to Whitaker, whose 20 yard shot was parried away by another great stop from the Forest keeper. As the goal drought looked far from over, Foyle decided to listed to the fan's and bring on Luke Rodgers on 52 minutes. He was involved almost straight away when he latched onto a Rocastle pass and curled his shot just wide. The pair were involved again when a neat one-two left Tudor in space, but his shot went tamely wide.

Forest appeared to be feeling the pressure a bit as Vale pushed on, and Calderwood brought on Kris Commons on 69 minutes to a chorus of boos from the Vale fans. As the half wore on Vale seemed to loose their grip on the game and Foyle decided to bring on Willock to add a bit of height to the forward line. But it was Forest who again went closest on 73 minutes when Holt shot just over the bar. In a final push Vale again threatened when a Tudor corner was met by the impressive Westwood, whose header was claimed by the keeper.

The final few minutes found Forest having the better of the chances. The first came on 85 when Cohen crossed and Holt headed into the path of McGregor, who cleared the ball. But with three minutes left on the clock they got a second goal when Commons crossed in and Chambers was unmarked to give Anyon no chance from eight yards with a fine downward header. Vale had the final chance of the game when McGoldrick chested down Tudors cross but could only find the keepers legs with his tame effort on goal.

Final Score Port Vale 0 - 2 Notts Forest

After the game Foyle blasted the team for their efforts in what should of been one of the biggest home games of the season. He criticised the lack of quality passes to the front pairing of McGoldrick and Richards and inexplicably blamed Edwards for the first goal, even though it was an own goal he was not that bad on the day, and ended up one of the better players on the pitch. Foyle will have to reconsider starting Rodgers from the bench, as he is our only scorer this season, and is the only player who seems to know where the goal is. It will be a tough away trip next week to Luton, and they will start heavy favourites. Foyle needs to pick his strongest eleven every week, and not the players on the biggest wage of transfer fee. Only when Lowe went off did the confidence get better at the back, and he was as much to blame for the first goal as Edwards, as his poor marking allowed the header in the first place. The fans all seem to think Rodgers can score the goals this term to get us up the league, but he is continued to start from the subs bench. He is a much better prospect than Richards, but Foyle persists with his " Main Man " Richards despite him rarely having a shot on goal let alone on target. Big changes are required and fast, or Vale will be in deep relegation trouble, and Foyle could well be on the management scrapheap. As a fan I hate to see one on my heroes struggle as Foyle appears to be doing, but the good of the club is at stake, and we cannot go on playing this way and not getting results. Forest were no better than us, but they created two clear chances and scored them both. Out finishing was woeful in the final third of the pitch, and Foyle tactics and team selection leaves a lot to be desired.

Port Vale Line Up

1. Joe Anyon
2. George Pilkington
3. Ashley Westwood
4. Keith Lowe (Mark McGregor 26)
5. Paul Edwards
6. Paul Harsley
7. Shane Tudor
8. Craig Rocastle
9. Marc Richards (Luke Rodgers 52)
10. David McGoldrick
11. Danny Whitaker (Callum Willock 71)

Subs Not Used

• Robin Hulbert
• Jason Talbot

Today's Attendance: 6,521

Man Of The Match: Ashley Westwood

League One Standings

20. Walsall Pl 6 W 1 D 2 L 3 F 5 A 8 Pts 5

21. Port Vale Pl 6 W 1 D 2 L 3 F 2 A 6 Pts 5

22. Millwall Pl 6 W 1 D 1 L 4 F 3 A 8 Pts 4

Johnsons Paint Trophy Second Round Draw

Port Vale's only realistic chance of a shot at Wembley this year looked like getting a tough start as the draw for the Second Round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy was made this week. Vale received a bye in the first round, and would of hoped for a home tie in the tough Northern section, where they are in with the big boys such as Leeds United and Huddersfield, but they got a tough away tie at League Two Newcomers Morecambe, manager by former Man Utd favourite Sammy McIlroy. The ties are to be played week commencing October 8th. The full second round draw is as follows.

Northern Section

Wrexham/Macclesfield v Stockport

Carlisle v Chester

Morecambe v Port Vale

Rochdale v Bury

Doncaster v Oldham

Darlington v Leeds

Lincoln City v Hartlepool

Rotherham v Grimsby

Southern Section

Hereford v Yeovil

Bristol Rovers v Bournemouth

Swindon v Cheltenham

Swansea v Wycombe

Milton Keynes Dons v Peterborough

Brighton v Barnet

Leyton Orient v Dagenham & Redbridge

Gillingham v Luton

Walsall Vs Port Vale Saturday 8th September 2007

Port Vale hoped to make it back to back wins in this early afternoon kick off at Walsall today. The home side have had a poor start to the season, as have Vale, and would of also looked to gain all three points against a team who has not won at Walsall for sixty years. The home side included former Vale favourite Danny Sonner and ex loan player Rhys Weston, who both joined Walsall in the summer after their promotion last year.

Vale started unchanged from last weeks win at Bournemouth, with striker Luke Rodgers again starting from the bench. The Pilkington - Westwood partnership was continued, and has started to leave the back line looking very strong. Both side's exchanged half chances throughout the first half, and Joe Anyon again showed why several Premiership clubs have been looking at the young keeper in the last few weeks. Sonner was of course the target of abuse by the Vale traveling support after his departure on not so good terms in the summer, and this seemed to fire him up as he created and had Walsall's best chances in the first half. A Sonner corner on 12 minutes created the first real chance, when Dann volleyed well over from 10 yards out. McGoldrick again looked lively up front for Vale, and his shot was saved by Ince after a good run past two defenders. Vale pressed on again and Paul Edwards again impressed at left back, whipping in a cross which Whitaker met, but sent his 25 yard effort wide. The game almost went Vale's way on 25 minutes when a throw launched into the area by Miller was met by Pilkington, but his effort went just past the post. Sonner then had Walsall's best effort of the half from a free kick, awarded when Harsley handballed just outside the area. Sonner bent the ball over the wall towards the bottom corner but Anyon got down well and tipped the ball around the post.

Neither side really looked like breaking the deadlock, but an effort from Wrackmon 44 minutes nearly put the home side in front at the break. A great ball from Hall put Wrack in and he rounded Anyon but was pushed out to wide, giving Edwards time to get back and block the resulting shot and clearing the danger.

Half Time Score Walsall 0 - 0 Port Vale

Walsall came out of the blocks first at the start of the half. Anyon spilled a cross from Weston and was bundled into by Roper, but his shot went wide and the Vale's call for a free kick fell on deaf ears. McGoldrick then played a neat exchange of passes with Richards at the other end. Richards turned on the edge of the area and shot, but his effort just clipped the crossbar and went over.

Vale continued the pressure and both McGoldrick and Richards went close again. Shane Tudor was again impressive, and his jinking runs had Roper twisting and turning all afternoon. Vale decided to bring on Rodgers on 70 minutes to see if he could snatch a winner as he did last week. This time he attempted to be provider, as he slipped an inch perfect pass to Richards, who shot over from close range. Foyle then brought on Hulbert for Whitaker, and Talbot for the tiring Miller, who was lucky to of played after being ill before the kick off. Neither side really threatened again, and both seemed happy with a point and a clean sheet. The result meant Vale had their second consecutive clean sheet on the road and had gained four points from six in two games they clearly were not favourites in pre kick off, maybe a corner had been turned from Foyle's men.

Final Score Walsall 0 - 0 Port Vale

After the game manager Martin Foyle had this to say " I thought Pilkington, Westwood and Anyon were outstanding today, but one or two players looked a bit jaded. We have been training hard this week and some may be feeling the effects of it today. Our retention of the ball was very poor this afternoon. We knew this would be a difficult place to come and get a result. Our track record here is not that good and we rode our luck at times but we did create some good openings. A draw was probably a fair result but we need to create more chances at the right times "

Port Vale Line Up

1. Joe Anyon
2. George Pilkington
3. Justin Miller (Jason Talbot 79)
4. Ashley Westwood
5. Paul Edwards
6. Paul Harsley
7. Shane Tudor (Luke Rodgers 69)
8. Craig Rocastle
9. Marc Richards
10. David McGoldrick
11. Danny Whitaker (Robin Hulbert 74)

Subs Not Used

• Keith Lowe
• Callum Willock

Today's Attendance: 4,967

Man Of The Match: Joe Anyon

League One Standings

13. Northampton Pl 5 W 1 D 2 L 2 Pts 5

14. Port Vale Pl 5 W 1 D 2 L 2 Pts 5

15. Swansea Pl 4 W 1 D 1 L 2 Pts 4

AFC Bournemouth Vs Port Vale 1st September 2007

With the loss of Akpo Sodje this week Martin Foyle was looking for a big ask from his players to dig deep and grind out a result at Dean Court today, and the team responded with a hard fought, but well deserved first win of the season. Foyle must of been fearing that his job may of been on the line if today's result had gone against him, but the new signings of McGoldrick and Westwood after Sodje's departure filled the gap left by the big man and give Vale's season the kick start it so badly needed. Vale have had good fortune in recent time's here on the south coast, with a 2 - 1 win in 2005 and last seasons 4 - 0 hammering of Bournemouth in a one sided display in December.

The first 45 minute's were dominated by a rampant Vale side, and they could of been four clear by the break. All of the early pressure was in Bournemouths half. Craig Rocastle finally found some form as he raced into the box on 3 minutes only to have his shot saved by a stunning interception from a Bournemouth defender. Vale seemed to have been working on their passing in training this week, as they were more fluid, and the ball seemed to find its target on every occasion. Danny Whitaker seemed to benefit from this the most with several great chances in the first half. His first effort from 20 yards just sailed past the post on 4 minutes, but his next effort almost put the Vale ahead. Paul Edwards started today in the left back position, and played a great cross into the path of Marc Richards. He played the ball across the area, and Whitaker timed his run to perfection, but was denied by a fantastic reflex save from Begovic. Ex-England star Darren Anderton now plies his trade here at Dean Court, and he produced a bit of magic that almost gave the home side a shock lead. His whipped in cross was about to be met by Jo Kuffour, but a smart piece of goalkeeping from Anyon and a great clearance from new boy Westwood kept the scores level.

Vale's other new boy was equally impressive at the other end of the pitch. Whitakers superb through ball on 29 minutes was met by McGoldrick but his shot was bundled away by Begovic. Bournemouth rallied towards the end of the half with a series of corners and free kicks, but Vale stood firm at the back and the scores remained level at half time. All that was missing from Vale's hard work was a goal.

Half Time Bournemouth 0 - 0 Port Vale

Vale started the second half in the same dominant mood as the first, but Bournemouth grew in confidence too as a great diving save from Anyon kept the first effort of the half out. Vale responded again at the other end with McGoldrick going close again from 12 yards out. The home side had a penalty appeal turned down on 54 minutes, when Kuffour was bundled over by Pilkington when trying to reach a cross by Gradel, but the Vale skipper got enough of the ball and ref Andy D'Urso waved play on. Shane Tudor picked up his first card of the season after a 58th minute foul on Cummings. This led to Bournemouth's only spell of sustained pressure on the Vale goal in the match. Bradbury and Kuffour were both denied by brilliant saves from Anyon.

Vale weathered the storm well as the back line stood firm, and this paid off with them regaining the upper hand as the Bournemouth rally died out. Tudors run into the area almost got Vale a penalty when he was felled by Cummings. Whitaker and Rocastle both went close as Vale went in search of a winner. Foyle had a trump card on the bench with Luke Rodgers,who he brought on for Richards on 73 minutes. The little man looked as eager as ever, and Vale started to look more and more dangerous. A great through ball from Whitaker to Rodgers almost had him scoring from his first touch, but his shot just went wide. He made no such mistake with his second effort on 82 minutes. Rodgers jumped on a loose ball on the edge of the area, held off his marker and sent a blistering shot over the head of stranded keeper Begovic. Vale made two changes to eat up the remaining time, bringing on Lowe and Willock as Bournemouth threw everyone up to try and get an equaliser, but the Vale held out the remaining time to get their first win of the season.

Final Score Bournemouth 0 - 1 Port Vale

Martin Foyle was obviously delighted after the match, and had this to say about his super sub Rodgers. " Luke is a bundle of energy. We have changed the side around a lot to try and get the right mix, and Luke has come on with a point to prove and I like that in a player. I have seen too many player's happy to sit it out on the bench but Luke is not like that. Our tempo has been good in training and its been hard to transfer that into matches, but today it all came good. We defended confidently today, and definitely deserved all three point's "

Port Vale Line Up

1. Joe Anyon
2. George Pilkington
3. Justin Miller
4. Ashley Westwood
5. Paul Edwards
6. Paul Harsley
7. Shane Tudor (Keith Lowe 88)
8. Craig Rocastle
9. Marc Richards (Luke Rodgers 73)
10. David McGoldrick (Callum Willock 85)
11. Danny Whitaker

Subs Not Used

• Robin Hulbert
• Jason Talbot

Today's Attendance: 5,444

Man Of The Match: Paul Edwards

Sodje Departs For Pastures New

Port Vale have today reluctantly had to sell star player Akpo Sodje to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday for £250,000 rising to £300,000. The player handed in a transfer request after wanting to play at a higher level, and who can blame him for bettering himself. Sodje did not disgrace himself like a certain Mr Constantine did last season, and had nothing but praise for Vale and manager Martin Foyle for developing him as a player after his move from Darlington last season. Despite his short time at Vale, Sodje's tireless displays established him as a fans' favourite, and he was named player of the year at the end of last season.

Sodje said "I'm very confident the club will get through this spell. Everyone says there's a lot of pressure, but Martin is a very good manager. As a former striker himself, he helped me throughout my time at the club to improve. I really hope the fans can give him a chance this season. He has done a lot for the club and hopefully the fans will be patient. I still think he can get the team into the play-offs. It would have been ideal to play in the Championship with Vale, but I didn't have time to wait when there was an opportunity to join Sheffield Wednesday."

Of Sodje's highlights at Vale, few fans will forget his superb four-goal haul in the 5-1 defeat of Rotherham in March - a feat which equalled a 114-year-old club record. But the imposing front man says he will look back on his whole Vale career with fondness. He said: "I loved every minute of it, from the day I arrived to the day I left. There are so many great memories for me and I can't pick one out. I just want to thank the manager and the chairman for the opportunity they gave me, and also the fans. I'm leaving on good terms and it's sad for me because I had a great time. In the end, I had to follow my dream of playing at a higher level. I'd like to think, though, that the club is getting a good deal for me and that will help them in the future."

I would like to wish Akpo all the best for the future, and I hope he has a great career ahead of him at Sheffield, I'm sure the fan's there will love him as much as we have here at the Vale. He has proved to be as much a gentleman off the pitch as on it, and he will be missed by everyone at the club.

As one door closes another one opens, and with Akpo's departure Foyle dipped into the transfer market to add two new faces to his squad. David McGoldrick has joined on loan from Southampton until Christmas and Ashley Westwood has join on a short term deal after being released from Northampton. Joe Cardle has also gone out an load to Scottish side Clyde to gain some vital first team experience.

Ashley Westwood

David McGoldrick

Port Vale Vs Hartlepool United 25th August 2007

The drawing board put up by Martin Foyle needs a damn good clean today after this drab performance by Vale in their second consecutive defeat of the season. The sunshine that covered Vale Park this afternoon was the only bright spark in today's fixture as Hartlepool took advantage of some poor play by Vale to gain their third win in a row, and give Foyle food for thought after his 'drastic changes need to be made' speech after the Yeovil and Wrexham defeats. It seems the changes may have o be more drastic than he first thought, as this defeat heaped pressure on the manager with sections of the crowd already calling for his resignation after only three games.

Foyle dropped Vales only goalscorer Luke Rodgers?, the best midfielder Danny Whitaker?, and center half Keith Lowe(one out of three isn't bad), and brought in Marc Richards, Paul Harsley and Colin Miles (big improvement then!) to try and get what should of been three points at home, but the changes brought the exact opposite, with Vale being outplayed from the off, and being lucky to keep it at 2 - 0.

It was a perfect start for Hartlepool as they went in front from their first move of the match. Brown ran through Vale's midfield unchallenged and laid the ball into the path of Matt Robson who rolled the ball past the stranded Anyon to make it 1 - 0 after six minutes. After making all the changes to the team Vale looked all at sea for the first goal and it just exploited the embarrassingly poor marking. Vale did create some half chances, with Harlsey going close on 13 minutes and Miles had a good header pushed wide from a good Edwards corner. transfer target Sodje looked jaded, and this may of hampered his shooting boots as his chances looked never likely to trouble the Hartlepool keeper. Vale's inability to score seemed to give Hartlepool the boost they needed, and Humphreys and Robson created chance after chance for Hartlepools front line duo, with only a string of good saves from Anyon keeping the score down to the single goal.

Half Time Port Vale 0 - 1 Hartlepool United

The boo's that Vale walked off too at the end of the half seemed to give them a slight lift, as they came out for the second half with more purpose than in the first. Tudor got past with a blistering run just after the break only to have his cross well cleared by Nelson. Tudor again created a good chance taking on the Hartlepool left back and whipping in a cross, only for the ball to be knocked away from danger by the Hartlepool defense. Just on the hour mark Harsley had Vale's best chance as his low shot went through a crowded box only o hit the post and go wide. Richards reacted well to the loose ball and with the goal beckoning and the keeper stranded, Antwi arrived to knock the shot out for a corner.

As the pressure from Vale started to subside in the heat, Foyle made the double change and brought on Rodgers and Whitaker to try and keep up the challenge to score after 66 minutes. Instead of lifting the team this seemed to dry up Vale's chances, and give Hartlepool the incentive to push on the tired looking Vale team. Both Brown and sub Foley went close for the visitors. Vale did push on to try and equalise, but the poor defensive work let in Hartlepool with three minutes left on the clock to score a second and kill the game off. Brown ran again unchallenged past the Vale midfield and back line to fire past Anyon to make it 2 - 0 and leave Foyle with egg on his face, and Vale with only 1 point so far this season.

Final Score Port Vale 0 - 2 Hartlepool United

This result leaves Vale with no win so far this season, and with three tough games to come, things are unlikely to improve. Transfer targets Anyon and Sodje will be a huge blow if they leave the club, and the play-offs will be about as far away as they could ever be if we lose our best players. Foyle has got to stop messing with line up changes that don't work, and negative tactics at home, to give us any real chance of progression with this squad. Too many of his summer signings are way below the standard of the players we let go, and if this continues then being a nice guy won't cut it with the fans, who pay good money (It costs more for a season ticket to watch the Vale in League One than Derby, Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland in the Premier League!) to see sub standard performances like this, against teams we should be beating. It is only three games into the season, bit we have missed out on a money making League Cup tie against Aston Villa after the cup exit and we don't look like scoring again this season if the players are going to be as edgy as this for the rest of the year. Half-fit players like Marc Richards should not be being picked above fully fit players like Luke Rodgers, especially when they miss open goals from six yards out! A lot has to improve at this club or the relegation favourite's tag may become a reality.

Port Vale Line Up

1. Joe Anyon
2. George Pilkington
3. Jason Talbot
4. Colin Miles
5. Justin Miller
6. Robin Hulbert
7. Shane Tudor
8. Paul Harsley (Danny Whitaker 66)
9. Marc Richards (Luke Rodgers 66)
10. Akpo Sodje
11. Paul Edwards (Callum Willock 77)

Subs Not Used

• Craig Rocastle
• Keith Lowe

Today's Attendance: 3,978

Man Of The Match: Shane Tudor