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.
No comments:
Post a Comment