George Byers Looks to Lead Port Vale in Push for Promotion
Port Vale midfielder George Byers expressed his eagerness for another promotion as the team embarks on a quest to return to League One at the first opportunity. Byers played a crucial role in Vale’s successful ascent from the fourth tier two seasons ago and participated in nearly half of their league fixtures during last year’s challenging campaign, which saw the team relegated.
As the 30-year-old prepares for his third season at Vale Park, he shared that the prospect of experiencing promotion success again serves as major motivation. “They are the best thing in football and I’m lucky enough to have two,” Byers said, referring to his previous promotions, including one to the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday in 2023, during an interview with BBC Radio Stoke.
Byers conveyed a sense of optimism about the season ahead, stating, “I feel like we’ve got a really good opportunity now for me to go and get another one. So that’s what’s driving me on at the moment. I feel like that’s what you want to do in football.” He emphasized his desire to achieve further promotion and compete in higher leagues, expressing excitement for what lies ahead, with the hope that Vale will be in contention this year.
Reflecting on the challenges of relegation, Byers noted the importance of refocusing after a setback. “When you get relegated, it’s difficult, but then you’ve got to refocus and shift your attention. We want to go again. We want that same feeling we had a couple of years ago when we got promoted,” he said. He added that experiencing that joy again is something he yearns for this season.
In terms of preparation, Vale’s campaign kicks off at Oldham Athletic on Saturday at 12:30 BST, followed by consecutive home games against Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. Byers pointed out that the familiarity among many players within the squad, who have shared the ups and downs of recent seasons, would be a significant advantage.
“This would definitely help us this year because there’s going to be no easy games—no one’s going to give us a win. Everyone will want to beat us coming down from League One,” he remarked. He also highlighted the importance of having players with promotion experience within the squad, stating, “Having that little bit of experience when the times are tough, just to get through those moments is going to be crucial.”
Port Vale midfielder George Byers says he is “hungry for another promotion” as the club embark on their attempt to get back to League One at the first attempt.
Byers was part of Vale’s successful climb out of the fourth tier two seasons ago and featured in just under half of their league games during last term’s difficult campaign that saw them drop back down.
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As the 30-year-old prepares for a third season of an eventful career at Vale Park, he said the thought of experiencing more promotion success was a huge motivation.
“They are the best thing in football and I’m lucky enough to have two,” Byers, who got promoted to the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday in 2023, told BBC Radio Stoke.
“I feel like we’ve got a really good opportunity now for me to go and get another one. So that’s what’s driving me on at the moment. I feel like that’s what you want to do in football.
“You want get promoted and play in better leagues. So another chance to do that is what I’m excited for – hopefully we’ll be up there this year.
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“When you get relegated, it’s difficult, but then you’ve got to refocus and shift your attention. We want to go again. We want that same feeling we had a couple of years ago when we got promoted.
“It’s the best feeling ever for everyone around the club. To be a part of that is something special, and I want another one this year.”
Promotion experience will be ‘massive’
Vale start their season at Oldham Athletic on Saturday at 12:30 BST, before back-to-back home matches against Tranmere Rovers and neighbours Crewe Alexandra.
Byers said the fact that the Vale squad still had a number of players who had also gone through the past couple of years would be a significant boost this term.
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“That would definitely help us this year because there’s going to be no easy games – no-one’s going to give us a win, everyone will want to beat us coming down from from League One,” he said.
“If you look in the squad there’s a lot of players that have had promotions, which is going to be massive for us this year.
“Having that little bit of experience when the times are tough, just to get through those moments is going to be crucial.”
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