Sonner to Saddlers- a step nearer

In the local Potteries press Danny Sonner has said: 'The club's offer is no better really than it was before. I don't think they have made any effort to keep me at all.

'I feel sorry for the fans because the club wants me to play for next to nothing.

'If they carry on paying Conference wages, then the club is going nowhere. They talk about promotion, but don't want to keep players.

'Port Vale are one of the lowest payers in the league and, in my opinion, they have made no effort to keep me here.

'I want to play for Port Vale, but feel as though I am not wanted. I feel this is a token gesture so they can say to the fans I have been offered a contract and turned it down.

'I think I deserve a rise and a decent offer from the club.

'I am not having a go at the manager, but the whole scenario is wrong.'

Both manager Martin Foyle and chairman Bill Bratt declined to respond, but are understood to be stunned by Sonner's comments.

Both have previously indicated they won't budge from their contract offer.

The outburst appears to spell the end of Sonner's Vale career, two years and 87 games after moving from Peterborough on a loan deal which eventually became a free transfer.

Andy McCormack, editor of fanzine Derek I'm Gutted!!!, backed the club's stance. He said: 'Danny seems to think he is worth more, but if Vale are to show any ambition they need a better playmaker than Danny Sonner. He is a reasonable player, but has to remember he is at the veteran stage of his career now and his goal output is very poor.'

So with Walsall been rumoured to be the 'other' club who have tabled an offer for Sonner. It now seems likely the player will be moving to the Banks's stadium. However nothing is certain until the fat lady sings, as we have had plenty of players stolen from under our noses in the past.

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