Port Vale: Lee Hughes leaves for Forest Green Rovers
| Posted: January 03, 2014
Lee Hughes.
LEE Hughes has left Port Vale to join Skrill Premier side Forest Green Rovers.
The 37 year old striker netted 10 goals to help Vale to promotion after signing on a free transfer from Notts County in January, and has netted a further three this season.
However the emergence of Jordan Hugill from the development squad has given manager Micky Adams extra firepower to compete with Tom Pope, Gavin Tomlin, Ben Williamson and Louis Dodds for places up front.
Hughes has become a popular figure with staff and supporters but has only started six league games this season.
His move will free up room in Vale's £2.4m player-wage budget and give the veteran striker the opportunity to play more regular football.
Vale manager Micky Adams said: "We had a chat and Lee wants to play regular first-team football. Obviously with the emergence of Jordan Hugill we don't want to block that avenue to him.
"The thing is he wants to play regular football and I can't give him a regular place so he is joining Forest Green Rovers on an 18-month deal, which he is happy with.
"We wish him well and we thank him for his contribution since he has been here, not least of all his goals in the promotion-winning season and certainly the big highlight for me was his three goals against Burton.
"He is a fantastic kid, he's not what the perception of him is, he has been terrific and I wish him well. I have got great things to say about him."
Adams would like to bring in two signings to improve the first team during January, although that could still depend on Vale getting through Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at home to Plymouth.
Victory over the League Two side would be worth £67,500 in prize money, but that could be dwarfed by a lucrative fourth-round tie.
3 comments
had the usual doubts we all had, but seems a genuine humble bloke who made a terrible mistake in his life, i spoke to him and Doddsy outside Chesterfield ground last April as he was out injured, proper down to earth genuine guy, good luck Hughesy and thank you , my highlight was not Burton but his goal at York especially as i was right at the front when he came roaring over, hope he can come back to say farewell some time soon
What a great guy Lee Hughes is .... a credit to himself and will always be welcome in Burslem. Fans will be gutted, but will all wish him all the best of luck. Great bloke. Vale will miss him.
GUTTED !!! What a great signing for forest green what a great loss for us all the best Hughesy thanks for everything