STATEMENT RELEASED ON BEHALF OF ANDY CROSBY:
“To have been appointed as Manager of Port Vale Football Club was, and always will be, a proud achievement.
“After joining the club just over three years ago as Assistant Manager, my journey has been incredibly rewarding, from winning eight consecutive games and ensuring the club’s League Two survival to beating Mansfield Town in the 2021-2022 Play-Off Final.
“Prior to that momentous day, I was asked to take over on an interim basis. Defeating Swindon Town on penalties in the semi-final of the EFL League Two Play-Offs and leading the team out at Wembley are achievements that, with the players and the club, I will always be proud of.
“I would like to thank owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan, Director of Football David Flitcroft, and the Board for giving me the opportunity to become permanent manager in May last year. Our plan was to evolve the playing style and recruit from ‘category one’ clubs, whilst also creating a pathway for Port Vale academy players to progress into the first team.
“To say the opening game against Barnsley was a difficult start would be a slight understatement! However, the players, staff and fans all responded as one and we collected 16 points from our next six games, propelling us to second in the table. Sadly, we could not maintain that form. Injuries began to hit us hard and, despite being competitive against the powerhouses of League One, we found it challenging throughout October and November.
“Nonetheless, those injuries did provide an opportunity for some promising academy scholars, with the likes of James Plant (who by then had become a first team regular), Reece Walters, Jack Shorrock and Baylee Dipepa all making their first senior appearances. In all, we gave debuts to ten academy players and continued to provide a fantastic and promising pathway for players to grow and develop.
“We also advanced to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup for the first time in the club’s 127 year history. Alfie Devine, who we had brought in on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, scored the winning goal in front of a packed away end at Mansfield. In December, we collected ten points from five games, which meant we were on track to meet our internal points target, sitting 14th in the League One table heading into the New Year.
“I would like to offer my thanks to the players, staff, owners and fans for their amazing support, hard work and enthusiasm during my time at the football club and wish the club all the best for the remainder of the season. I will use this period away from the game to improve my knowledge, skills and network of contacts and reflect on my time as Manager of Port Vale Football Club.
“I very much look forward to the next opportunity that lies ahead.”
