Vale chief defends Walsh exit
17 May 2007 - 12:24:58
Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt has defended the club's decision not to offer popular defender Michael Walsh a new contract.
The 29-year-old has now been released by the Valiants just 12 months short of his testimonial year, but Bratt claims the decision was taken for genuine footballing reasons.
"To form a side capable of achieving promotion or the play-offs, the club must have players who can play 35 plus games per season and unfortunately, Michael Walsh has not been able to achieve this," he told the club's official website.
"The club had to take a lot of criticism last season when we gave Michael a contract when he had played only four games all season, but we knew what a good player he was if we could get him fully fit.
"But he has only played 16 games, coming off in six of those with injuries."
Meanwhile, Danny Sonner could follow Walsh out of the exit door after the midfielder down an improved offer to remain at Vale Park.
Team-mate Robin Hulbert has agreed a new one-year contract.