Latest news with #NathanSmith
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tranmere sign former Port Vale defender Smith
Tranmere Rovers have signed former Port Vale central defender Nathan Smith on a two-year 29-year-old was released by the Valiants earlier this month after making 428 appearances in all competitions for the club.A graduate from Vale's academy, Smith made his debut in August 2016 and went on to earn two promotions from League made 24 appearances in the league last season as he helped guide his side back to the third tier and reunites with former Vale boss Andy Crosby at Prenton Park."It feels really good. I've worked with the gaffer before, and loved every second of how he works," Smith told Tranmere's club website., external"I'm ready to put my body on the line for the cause at any point and do what it takes to win."
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footballer who threatened to 'punch the f***ing head' of fan involved in row after it emerges the supporter has cancer
A footballer who threatened to punch a fan's 'f***ing head in' has desperately tried to explain his actions after wishing the supporter dead from cancer. Tom Pope, 39, played for the likes of Rotherham, Port Vale and Bury in a long career in the Football League before eventually going semi-pro. He has most recently played for Kidsgrove Athletic in the Northern Premier League Division One West, where he has been joint-player manager. But now he has been engulfed in controversy after screenshots emerged of the veteran seemingly arguing with a fan on social media platform X and telling him he hoped his chemotherapy cancer treatment killed him. The situation escalated after Pope had originally shared his views on now-former Port Vale defender Nathan Smith leaving the club after 16 years, having previously played alongside him. He posted: 'Fans can say "Oh he's your mate" I was a pro for 17 years I know what league 1 and 2 is about! I watched Stockport Orient last night with Horsfall and Beckles who couldn't lace his boots and can't pass either. 'Played out from the back for 6 month, Smudge in promotion. Bye.' Pope later claimed that he didn't believe Shapland when he was told about his cancer Fan Nathan Shapland had chipped into the debate, telling Pope not to 'tell Darren Moore about managing' because Pope has 'not been a pro manager'. Pope seemed to see red, replying: 'That's your last comment I won't block you because that's what f**nies do but I'm not replying to you again! You don't know football and you're a s***bag so got no more time to offer you. You're a waste of time.' After Shapland replied: 'Good reasonable response', Pope posted: 'Reasonable you've spent 2 days talking s*** and pissing me off you little runt. That threat yesterday obviously didn't register so now I'll leave before your mouth leaves you in a situation you can't run away from.' But the duo had been arguing online the day before, with Pope branding Shapland a 'cheeky p***k' and threatening: 'You better hope none of my mates point you out to me I promise you now.' Beforehand, he had posted: 'Oh I'm way over it mate I don't go back getting claps and stuff "Oh you legend" "My son loved you" like every other ex player would! But I promise you now Nath after that comment I will now find out ALL about you mate you better hope you're over 18 I promise you that.' Shapland replied: 'Very grown up.' He would then go onto share a screenshot of a private message from Pope, which read: 'You can put this on Twitter mate and show everyone you want. I'm going to punch your f***ing head in my warnings haven't obviously sunk in after repeatedly telling you to leave it and you kept on and on and on behind your phone in your mums bedroom. 'Obviously a big mouth whos never had a good slap but I'm going to now show you what a mouth like that gets you. I did warn you so don't start crying pal.' Shapland replied: 'Mums dead pal.' Pope then replied: 'Oh well I'll make sure you join her then,' before Shapland responded: 'Lovely my chemo might get me first.' Pope then wrote: 'Let's hope.' He would later wish Shapland well and told him he 'actually don't want you dead' Shapland - a Port Vale fan - suggested Pope was a 'hero' in the aftermath of the fallout After the post was shared, Pope wrote himself: 'I've threatened a lad who abuses me and he said I've got cancer! As if anyone would take that as gospel. 'I didn't know he did ffs I thought he was taking the p*** I'm not that horrible. I thought he said it because I threatened him. Anyway speedy recovery big gob.' When accused of 'backtracking', he added: 'Backtracking he follows me I don't know who he is do I you idiot. Trying make out I'd wish someone dead who I don't even know you can all f*** off! If you all honestly think I knew he had that and still send that to him then that's on you lot. You obviously don't know me.' Shapland replied: 'If you briefly look at my account you'd have known before kicking off I'm very open about it that's my way of dealing with it.' Pope then replied: 'No I don't look at your account I see your name abusing me and hammering me for months on end! I've told you I wish you well I don't actually want you dead I don't have a clue who you are and anyone else would say fair enough! I do wish you well Nath you know I didn't know.' Shapland would later post: 'Don't argue with your hero I guess.' Pope played more than 300 times for Port Vale in his career and scored in the FA Cup against Manchester City in 2020.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Long-serving Port Vale defender Smith to leave
Defender Nathan Smith is to leave Port Vale after 16 years with the club. Smith, who came through the club's academy, made 428 appearances and scored 22 goals for the Valiants after making his senior debut in the 2016-17 season. Advertisement The 29-year-old was twice named Player of the Season and twice helped Vale win promotion to League One - in 2021-22 and 2024-25. "Nathan Smith has been an incredible servant to this football club and leaves with our very best wishes," Vale manager Darren Moore told the club website. "I'm sure I speak on behalf of every Vale supporter when I say he will forever be part of the club. "It's hard for us all to say goodbye to such a top player and important character, but we feel this is the right time for Smudge to take on a new challenge. "For this season to end in promotion is fitting, and we're all delighted for him that he's departing on the back of such a fantastic achievement for the club."
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Long-serving Port Vale defender Smith to leave
Defender Nathan Smith is to leave Port Vale after 16 years with the club. Smith, who came through the club's academy, made 428 appearances and scored 22 goals for the Valiants after making his senior debut in the 2016-17 season. The 29-year-old was twice named Player of the Season and twice helped Vale win promotion to League One - in 2021-22 and 2024-25. "Nathan Smith has been an incredible servant to this football club and leaves with our very best wishes," Vale manager Darren Moore told the club website. "I'm sure I speak on behalf of every Vale supporter when I say he will forever be part of the club. "It's hard for us all to say goodbye to such a top player and important character, but we feel this is the right time for Smudge to take on a new challenge. "For this season to end in promotion is fitting, and we're all delighted for him that he's departing on the back of such a fantastic achievement for the club."
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Long-serving Port Vale defender Smith to leave
Defender Nathan Smith is to leave Port Vale after 16 years with the who came through the club's academy, made 428 appearances and scored 22 goals for the Valiants after making his senior debut in the 2016-17 29-year-old was twice named Player of the Season and twice helped Vale win promotion to League One - in 2021-22 and 2024-25."Nathan Smith has been an incredible servant to this football club and leaves with our very best wishes," Vale manager Darren Moore told the club website. "I'm sure I speak on behalf of every Vale supporter when I say he will forever be part of the club."It's hard for us all to say goodbye to such a top player and important character, but we feel this is the right time for Smudge to take on a new challenge."For this season to end in promotion is fitting, and we're all delighted for him that he's departing on the back of such a fantastic achievement for the club."
