Episode 8 Late Kick Off Midlands

The cold wind of football reality blows through the Midlands. One

club is on the verge of administration and another sacks

its manager. Welcome to Late Kick Grim days for Port Vale. Players,

staff and suppliers go unpaid - administration seems inevitable The

club's former chief executive talks exclusively to Late Kick Off.

position port Vale are in is not about the last six months, it's

been a number of years coming. Hereford call time on Jamie Pitman

but after a meeting with his chairman, Paul Peschisolido remains

the manager of Burton. And is there no end to the talent

of Leicester's Neil Danns? Midfield dynamo, fashion designer, musician

and now inventor. I realised football doesn't last

for ever and I have other ambitions in life.

And I'm joined in the studio tonight by a pair of central

defenders with some midfield creativity. Gareth Owen is a

defender and coach at Port Vale and is one of the many members of staff

who haven't been paid. Ian Taylor began his professional career with

Vale and went on to star for Aston Villa and Derby. And Darren Moore

has recently left Burton Albion the latest stop in a near 20 year

professional career. Gentlemen, welcome. We start this evening at

Port Vale, a club facing administration and a ten point

deduction which will almost certainly end their hopes of

promotion. On Saturday, Vale were at Accrington, a club which is no

stranger to financial problems. At one point, they went out of

business altogether. For Late Kick Off, Laura May McMullan travelled

We need people's help, we need people to buy S. It is getting. And

really all we can do is get behind the team. He's done a cracking job

with no money, broken promises. inevitable outcome his

administration. I am not privy to the details but it is inevitable.

That means a 10 points deduction. We are looking at securing enough

points to avoid relegation. Sadly there's no pot of gold at the end

of the rainbow. Despite Port Vale's boardroom turmoil more than 700

Vale fans packed through the turnstiles at Accrington on

Saturday all It was the news everyone was dreading but perhaps

Last week the club was served with a winding up order, administration

looks set to happen this week. Last Thursday staff still turned up to

work despite not being paid. The manager told me how hard it was for

him to have to tell his players they wouldn't be getting any wages

this month. The club has handled it poorly, two hours before they were

due to get paid. No notice. And the players rely on them money, I am

sure. Disappointing. Ahead of Saturday's game he actually told

the squad they were excused from duty, for financial and emotional

reasons. Every one of them, bar captain Marc Richards who was ill

And perhaps a poignant place to come. It's actually 50 years ago

this week that Accrington ceased to exist. Then, having been re-formed,

they were just hours from Administration in 2009. It's going

to be a tough time for Port Vale over the next few weeks, but

perhaps Stanley's story can give them hope. Port Vale's financial

problems meant Micky Adams could only name 4 substitutes instead of

5. The club couldn't afford to pay anymore expenses. But the team's

spirit shone through. They're unbeaten in seven games and at the

moment, on the brink of the playoffs. It ended with a 2-2 draw

and a usually very passionate manager understandably looked like

he had a lot on his mind. You seemed subdued out there today.

am a bit flat. Yes... It's an anti- climax today. After the fury of the

week. I've a lot on my mind. Passions were running high at a

supporters meeting yesterday. Mike Lloyd, one of the club's directors

turned up unannounced and was asked And I'll never forgive you for

that! The supporters are angry about debts and their beloved club

on the brink of administration. A hardship fund to help Port Vale's

fight for survival has now been launched. The manager says he's not

going anywhere. I have a group of players to look after, a staff a

care -- I care deeply about, we are a family club, a small community.

We all have to stick together. I am determined to see it through.

who's to blame? Port Vale started this season in dire need of

investment but a deal with an American company - Blue Sky

International - worth a reported eight million pounds collapsed.

Attempts to find alternative sources of investment since have

failed. Laura has been speaking exclusively to Perry Deakin, who

remains on the club's much-maligned board of directors. I don't think

they are to blame. There are areas that have been made however when

you start a financial year with zero in the bank and need to three-

quarters of a million, you have a problem. That's the situation we

are in. We have done reasonably well to get as far as we have

considering we needed the cash last July. So, you don't take

responsibility? We have to take responsibility, we are the

directors. We would not want the club to be in this position so we

take responsibility. There's no question about that. There are

mitigating factors in terms of the reasons. Why did you feel the need

to pay Peter Millar a salary of �100,000, a house, a car, flights

to America, when it was an unpaid role? We didn't feel the need to

pay him that package. He was paid because when negotiating the

agreement with the American company, Peter Millar's position as chairman

was part of the agreement. When the deal collapsed, clearly, the

position changed. The board appointed Peter chairman for two

months. But as to allow him the time to bring the investment in

from other sources. When the investment income in from other

sources, he stepped down. He was only in situ for two months. What

you say to the players and staff who have not been paid? I haven't

been paid, either. I am an employee. So, I had the same issues they do.

It's an awful awful situation and I'm desperately sorry. What we are

hoping is we get ourselves into a position where he weather takes the

club on makes sure the staff are paid. -- the weather. It's an

important part of the discussions. We you apologise? I am not sure

what you want me to apologise for. To the fans, the players, the staff

who have not been paid, the creditors who will lose thousands.

A lot of people would like an apology. As I say, the position

port Vale are in currently is not about the last six months. It's

been in number of years coming. it has added to it. It is key.

Absolutely. We have established the directors hold their hands up and

have made errors but so have many people. They have a lot to answer

for. In terms of the position of the club. So, I will ask you again,

will he apologise? I am desperately sorry the club is in a position it

is in. As our the other directors. We need constantly. We have been

discussing how to resolve it. There's no question we made errors.

Gareth, you are a senior player at Port Vale. What is it like to be at

the club? Totally difficult. There are worried people around.

Uncertainty is growing day by day. We cannot plan for anything.

Culminating in not being paid. It is difficult to take as players. To

not have anything is hard to take. There is a view from outside the

borders get paid loads of money no matter which lead you are in. How

tough is it. Some lads have been told not to come in because they

cannot put petrol in the cars. Footballers get paid but when

you're 18 or 19 not earning much money, why you saving? Not many

people do. They cannot make it a training and that hinders their

careers. Players must take a huge interest now because it takes a

massive effect on their lives. Sorting a direct debits to make

sure money is in the bank. They are not concentrating on playing and

training. It takes up a lot of life. You're mentally drained going into

training. That cannot be good. is a far cry from when you were at

the club 20 years ago. What do you make of it? It is a disgrace. I

think the people in charge of the money dealings at Port Vale have a

lot to answer for. A lot of these guys, like you say, they are not on

a great deal of money. It is a myth people think all footballers are a

great many. These guys depend on them money like everyone else. It's

a disgrace this has happened to such a great club. I had two

fantastic years at Port Vale. It hurts. It is sad because we have

seen a lot of clubs sailing close to the wind. This could happen to

any club. Yes, and the biggest thing they must be careful of is

they cannot fulfil financial payments to the players and then

players look elsewhere and clubs come in and cherry-pick the better

players. Let's hope we keep the whole squad together because in the

next few weeks you're talking about clubs picking players from the Vale

for their own. With the administration which now looks

inevitable, how demoralising is that? It is hard to take. If you're

not good enough because the results are not good enough, you hold your

heads up but for all the efforts to be derailed by some poor financial

decisions as players, it is hard to take. I wish you all the best.

Still to come on tonight's Late Kick Off. This is Natalie, I am a

virgin on this recording my first message. Monday on BBC One. Do not

Hereford United have been flirting with danger at the bottom of League

Two all season long and this morning Jamie Pitman paid the price.

He was relieved of his managerial duties and will be replaced by the

Walsall coach Richard O'Kelly, though Pitman will remain on the

club's coaching staff. And this despite Hereford winning on

Saturday. Jamie Pitman was on borrowed time

when he prepared his players for Saturday's's match. Two goals in

the first have. The first by a Lyle Taylor. A second-half goal from

Jack Midson would not have helped Pitman's nerves either. The

celebrations at the final whistle have proved to be shortlived for

Jamie Pitman. This morning, the Walsall coach Richard O'Kelly was

given the task of ensuring Hereford's survival. It is a big

task. What pleases me seeing the players this morning, how they were

motivated and engaged in the process of what is happening,

whether it was me or Jamie working. That was good to see. If you have

that sort of commitment, you have a better chance.

Burton's home defeat against Southend made it 11 games without a

win. David Martin's free kick was followed by a goal for veteran

striker Neil Harris. Burton, fourth at Christmas, are now 15th and

these are challenging times for the club's manager. People think I am

an absolute moron if I keep blaming luck. His 11 games now. -- did his

11 games. We are blaming things not going our way. We have to stand up

and be counted. I will not criticise the effort. I think it

was there. I do not know what it is, to be honest.

At the top, Cheltenham were surprisingly held 2-2 by bottom

club Northampton but it could have been much worse. It's gone in. And

he scores. Great penalty.. Col! Shrewsbury were held at Crewe

despite taking the lead in bizarre Let us talk about the managerial

change. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Graham Turner is a tough act

to follow. Are we surprised that the experiment hasn't worked?

really. It was always going to be a tough task. The players, they will

like him. They like most physios. Physios get on with the players. To

make their transformation from physio to manager is always going

to be tough. Richard O'Kelly, who has not bomb he was under Graham

Turner. He has a 12 games. That is quite a task. He has got to hit the

ground running. It could happen, a fresh-faced, fresh ideas.

leeway? He has a great tactical awareness in the game and his

training methods are excellent. The players will enjoy the training

methods. It is a shame for Jamie. He is a likeable character. As for

your old club, person, Paul Peschisolido has been given the

vote of confidence. Are you surprised? Far absolutely. I can

speak from watching Burton Albion Club, Paul Peschisolido is a great

man. He has great contacts. I have worked closely with him and the

players know he can be an asset. He has vast experience. I have played

20 years in the game and worked with some wonderful coaches. I

would put him in the top three. Hopefully, they can work through

this difficult period. It is a young management team. They have

done well at Burton and it is just trying to pursue to the end of the

season. Now to League One and Notts County

are up into the top six as new manager Keith Curle's faultless

start continues. Four games, four wins, no goals

conceded - not a bad start as Notts manager for Keith Curle.

Brilliant header. Great header into the far corner. Four man ball. You

will not see better. Walsall are back in the bottom four

Walsall are back in the bottom four despite stretching their unbeaten

run to four games at Leyton Orient. The ball is inside the penalty area.

Here is Cox. They take the lead. The Saddlers chances improved when

the Orient subsitute Solomon Taiwo was sent off after 38 minutes.

Corner comes in from that right hand side. We keeper has lost it.

It is in. The Saddlers make their There is plenty to discuss on and

off the field across the Midlands at the minute and we would love to

hear from you here on Late Kick Off. As always, we are open for business

seven days a week on Facebook, and you can als continue the

conversation right now on Twitter by using the hashtag...

We think we have found the most entrepreneurial player in the

Football League. The Leicester City midfielder Neil Danns is a man with

several careers. As Natalie found out, his latest venture has got

everybody talking. If Neil Danns went on Dragon's den,

he would be a big hit. I am a big thinker. I literally never stop

thinking. I have learned from many mistakes. That have led me to this.

The midfielder is a fashion designer, inventor and musician. He

has already released a single. well-documented in the music side.

I play guitar. While working on a in album which I will put out there.

-- I am working. Now his latest development could change the face

of social networking. I was just lying in bed and thinking and then

I came up with this idea of social networking. It is something along

the lines of Twitter but with voice notes. People do not use text but

they use their voice. If you want to follow your idols, you can hear

them speaking in a 32nd voice note. Then I came up with this name. It

is to do with the saying, just spit it out. Press the red button here.

It starts to record. A physical. It -- as a fan, you want to know

everything. -- it is fun. He is fully committed to making it a

success. His work ethic on and off the pitch is down to his upbringing.

I grew up in suburbia and a rough area in Liverpool. I feel I gave me

a lot of the strong mentality. I like to get among people and graft.

That comes from working -- from coming from a working-class family.

His onto Purnell side is not about money. -- entrepreneurial. He is

acutely aware that in football, investment brings expectation. You

only have to look at the likes of Manchester City, it happened

overnight for them. It is no different to Leicester City. The

next couple of years will be vital for us. There will be a lot of

teams not wanting us in the play- offs because they know it will be a

tough task if we get in. He is now getting a good run in the team

under Nigel Pearson. We have all warm to him straight away. The

performance and results show that. If the fans want to voiced their

opinions on his performance, they know where to go. I can get close

to my favourite footballers. It is somewhere where you can express

your opinion. Definitely. You can go into an apt and boys your

opinion and leave it out there for everyone else. -- and voice your

opinion. His team-mates are on board. People in the urban music

scene are on board. I'm hoping it could be a big thing. Even low-key

celebrities are signing up. this is Natalie. I am recording for

Late Kick Off with Neil Danns. Welcome! Thank you.

Well, there was no doubting Neil's application on Saturday, but he was

left spitting feathers after missing a penalty. Leicester though

still managed to beat struggling Coventry 2-0. It was the first time

the Foxes had recorded back-to-back defender Bruno Berner who has

announced his retirement from the game. Now a spectator, he watched

as the Foxes recovered from Danns' early penalty miss to take a 12th-

minute lead. Gets his cross in. David Nugent scores for Leicester.

Finds Nugent. Goal! Coventry also missed a penalty late

in the game but Leicester were comfortable winners and are now

just seven points off the play-offs. Birmingham City's promotion hopes

have suffered another setback. Erik Huseklepp's instinctive finish gave

them an early lead against Derby and when loan-sgning Andros

Townsend created a second goal for Marlon King after 57 minutes,

another home win seemed assured. But within nine minutes, Derby were

level. First Steven Davies converted a cross from his namesake

Ben. And then Paul Green's precise pass picked out Theo Robinson. 2-2

was the final score. A penalty for handball which was not awarded

probably cost Nottingham Forest a victory at Barnsley. Abe run from

the edge of the box. Forest are in front. Curls it in. That has got to

be a handball. Craig Davies is 25 yards out. Into the corner. A

forest post-mortem goes on immediately as to who should have

Forest have one defeat in five. It is becoming a number of goals at

the right time. Forest have had a terrible run. It is no coincidence

they have a new coach and result serve picked up. I speak highly of

his coaching methods. We saw Derby perform a terrific comeback against

Birmingham. What a story from Steven Davis. His first start in

four month. What a header. 10 a metal plates, 22 screws in his head.

If you have to give him credit. Anybody would not blame it him if

he had ducked away from the ball. To come back from an injury like

that and to score on Saturday, it is excellent. Great character. With

him in the team, Derby have a new dimension to the team. Well done to

him. I think he has done a great job. The last couple of seasons, I

looked at the team, and is not a team of big names. He has plucked

them from all around. He has formed a team. He has done a great job.

Leicester, three wins in four. The Newton partnership is starting to

bear fruit. 13 goals in 10 games. With a strike force like that, you

always have a chance for Nugent. Teams are looking over their

shoulders because they are wanting, if they have a consistent run, to

come through. They will be a difficult opponent should they get

into the play-offs. Can they do it? Yes. He has plenty of time left.

They could win all 10. How many times have you seen a team have

come in late in the Championship. There are so many games, it can all

change. They face another challenge for the transfer embargo. Chris has

found a formula that despite all the pressures they have had, from

the star of the season, they European exploits as well, the FA

Cup run, they are still in a play- off position. Aim of games to go.

That is it for this evening. All of our clubs are playing again

tomorrow evening. Full coverage on your BBC local radio station. And