Vale Management Stays Sky Blue (For Now)

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Rob Page Tie3 x

Rob (right) presented with his official Association tie by CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard last September

Manager- Adams, M (Micky)

Micky as Manager 2005

Until recently a pair of former Sky Blues players (and CCFPA members) formed the managerial partnership at Vale Park but on Thursday 18th September 2014 the link was broken.  Micky Adams (who also, of couse managed the Sky Blues) decided to step down from his role as gaffer of the Potteries club the day before yesterday and for the time being his assistant, also a former CCFC defender, Rob Page will act as caretaker manager as confirmed by Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite (who also happens to be a ‘Coventry kid’ himself). Smurthwaite told BBC Radio Stoke: ‘If a new manager does come in, they’ll have to work with Rob Page – that’s the deal and it is part of my plan.

The Potteries based club had been on a string of poor results and Micky Adams evidently decided it was best for the club that he stepped aside. He told the Vale’s official club website “It is with great sadness that I have decided to leave Port Vale but I believe I am leaving the club in a stronger position than when I joined. I have spent five years in Burslem (punctuated by a spell at Sheffield United) … although the role of a football manager brings with it a roller-coaster of emotions, I will never forget my time at Vale and the many happy memories I will take away with me. This has not been an easy decision to make, which has been made even more difficult by the strong relationships I have forged during my time at the club. I believe now is the time for another manager to take the helm and I would like to thank Norman Smurthwaite and his wife Lorraine for their fantastic support. I wish the club every success for this season and the future.”

Adams, M (Micky) 1987

Micky as Player 1987

25. Robert Page

Rob as Player

Micky spent four seasons (1983-87) at Highfield Road with the Sky Blues clocking up 108 appearances for the Sky Blues (scoring 10  times) before moving to Leeds United during the very season the Sky Blues won the F.A.Cup (and losing to them with the Elland Road outfit in a memorable F.A.Cup semi final at Hillsborough). He beacame Sky Blues new gaffer in January 2005 but lasted barely 24 months at the Ricoh as he paid the price for not lifting CCFC out of the Championship. A Welsh international, Rob was one of Micky’s early purchases in 2005. Rob eventually  became captain and made 70 league appearances for us before moving to Huddersfield Town in 2008. They were reunited when Micky brought Rob to Vale Park in 2011 first as youth coach, then assistant manager. Both Micky and Rob joined the Association last September being signed up by CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard.

Rob will be pleased to hear his place at Vale Park is secure (and actually has undertaken the caretaker role there briefly when Micky was temporarily absent recovering from an hip operation last year). We are sure Micky will not have too long to wait before finding a new position and wish both former Sky Blues well and hope to see them back at the Ricoh before too long.

 

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