Vale on brink of administration

Port Vale are set to go into administration for the second time in just over eight years.

The npower League Two club was placed under a transfer embargo towards the end of last month, which prevented Chris Birchall from making his return for his hometown club against Northampton on February 25.

An unpaid Income Tax bill has led to a number of creditors contacting the Vale Park club, including Stoke City Council – who are reported to be owed in the region of £4m.

A statement on the club’s official website, www.port-vale.co.uk, said: “An application for an administration order has been made to the High Court in Birmingham today (Tuesday) to appoint Bob Young, Steve Currie and Gerald Krasner of Begbies Traynor as joint administrators of Port Vale (Valiant 2001) Football Club Ltd from Friday 9th March 2012.”