Patience Pays Off As Aspin Returns

RETURNING to Port Vale as manager is a dream come true for Neil Aspin – and he intends to do everything in his power to turn their fortunes around.

- John Lyons

Defender Aspin spent a decade at the Valiants as a player, making more than 400 appearances, and became a fans’ favourite. The bulk of that time Vale featured in the second tier, but they have fallen on hard times since then.

Relegation from League One last term was a hammer blow and this season has started in disastrous fashion. Following an opening day win at Crawley, Vale had failed to win any of their next ten League Two games heading into yesterday’s home match against Grimsby.

Disastrous

Boss Michael Brown departed after a 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers last month and Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has plumped for Aspin to get them back on track – pre-weekend Vale were 22nd, above bottom two Forest Green and Chesterfield on goal difference.

Aspin’s former Vale manager John Rudge has also returned, taking the position of director of football.