Port Vale: Matt Hancock makes reassuring relegation claim | OneFootball

Port Vale fans are still fearing the worst as the club sits in the League One relegation zone, and expressed their concerns about the financial impact of relegation at a recent supporters' meeting at Vale Park.

The Burslem club has been on an upward trajectory financially since it was bought by the Shanahan family in 2019, and promotion to League One in May 2022 saw increased attendances and higher revenues.

However, with a potential return to League Two looming, there are worries that Vale might be in a worse position financially should the worst happen.

Hancock faces the Port Vale fans

However, Chief Executive Matt Hancock was keen to assuage fans' fears when he addressed a packed Tommy Cheadle's bar at Vale Park.

Responding to a question from a supporter asking if the club would be in a worse situation if they returned to League Two than when they were promoted, Hancock said, as quoted by The Valiant: "There are a lot of clubs that, if they went into League Two, it would be a disaster financially. We have owners that, although it would be tough and we would have to make decisions, the club would be strong in League Two."

Shanahans "unwavering" in their financial backing

He further backed the commitment of the Shanahans, saying: "I don’t agree that we are going back to where we were in 2019. We have the commitment of the Shanahans. Our owners are ones that a hell of a lot of clubs up and down the country would die for.

"From everything I have been in, Carol and Kevin’s commitment to the football club is unwavering, that is financially.

"We need and want a successful club, of course winning games, but the stability and the commitment of the Shanahans gives me, and hopefully supporters, the confidence that, God forbid, we are in League Two….I agree the odds are against us staying up but I know there is a commitment from the Shanahans to make that work."

However, Hancock was clear that the club wanted to avoid relegation, saying: "No one wants relegation. Relegation for the football club, for so many different reasons, is awful."

The news from Hancock will come as a relief for Vale fans, who, despite their misgivings about some of the appointments made by the owners, will no doubt be thankful to have people at the helm who have the club's best interests at heart.

It was only five years ago when Vale faced the double threat of relegation out of the Football League as well as being put into administration by rogue owner Norman Smurthwaite.

Whichever way you look at it, Port Vale have moved a long way away from that debacle, and are on a sound financial footing with the Shanahan family in control of the club.

Darren Moore and season ticket renewals addressed

Eyebrows were raised by some fans when new boss Darren Moore was handed a five-and-a-half year deal when he joined the club in February.

With the meeting taking place before his first win as Vale boss on Saturday, fans' concerns about the financial impact of parting ways with Moore early into his contract were discussed.

However, Hancock confirmed both Moore and the club are committed to each other, telling the room: "Darren Moore has the full support of everyone and, from working with him for a short time already, he is fully committed on this season and also what is going to happen at Port Vale moving forward."

Additionally, Port Vale normally have season ticket renewals on sale by the end of March, but have delayed them this year.

Hancock confirmed the club took the decision due to the ill feeling around Vale Park both on and off the pitch, and told fans: "The decision was the supporter feeling, where we are at on the pitch, what was going on and the conversations we were all in, we have not felt it was the right time at all to be asking supporters to commit again for next season."

With Vale recording a much-needed victory - their first of 2024 - away at Burton Albion after the meeting, the hope at the club will be that they can escape relegation and the financial hit that comes with it, and with improved performance on the pitch, that fans get behind Moore when the season ticket renewals become available.

And with the Shanahan's financial backing, if Vale can survive in League One, then they will hope next season brings less controversy off the pitch and better results on it.