'Moore will have a competitive budget for League One return'

PORT Vale are in a much better position to attract players this summer than 12 months ago, according to Matt Hancock.

- Clive Youlton

The club’s chief executive confirmed the Shanahans are talking to potential targets at the moment and he believes the job has been made easier by the Valiants promotion to League One.

There was doom and gloom in Burslem last summer following a dismal relegation season and a feeling that the club did little to arrest a seemingly inevitable slide to the fourth tier.

There had been no activity in the January transfer window 2024 when one or two additions at that time might have made the difference in staying in the division.

The army of new players that arrived last summer was an indication that the club were not willing to languish in League Two longer than they had to and owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan pushed the boat out in allowing manager Darren Moore to go out and sign who he needed for his squad, without a thought for balancing the books at that time.

Now the club has a far healthier squad and the club can attract players with more confidence.