Sang out: These 3 things happening at Port Vale will have supporters in August dreamland | OneFootball

FLW looks at three things that Vale fans would love to happen in the next month

Port Vale are aiming to bounce back to League One at the first time of asking in the new season, after relegation to the fourth tier last campaign.

The Valiants struggled in the third tier in 2023/24, and ended the season in 23rd place with just 41 points as they returned to League Two for the first time since 2021/22.

Boss Darren Moore has been busy in the transfer window so far though, and looks to be assembling a squad that could be challenging near the very top of the fourth tier in 2024/25 if all goes well.

10 new faces have arrived at Vale Park so far, most notably midfielder George Byers, winger Ronan Curtis and striker Jayden Stockley from Sheffield Wednesday, AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood Town respectively.

There have been numerous outgoings too, with the likes of James Wilson, Gavin Massey and Jayson Leutwiler allowed to leave upon the expiry of their contracts, while Uche Ikpeazu turned down a new deal to join St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

More business is certain to happen in the coming weeks, and Moore and co still have a lot of work to do to shape his squad before the window slams shut on August 30, and with that in mind, we have picked out three ideal scenarios that Vale supporters would love to see play out in the next month.

Tom Sang departs

There was understandable fanfare around Tom Sang's arrival at the club from Cardiff City last summer, given his previous experience in the Championship and notable pedigree after coming through the Manchester United academy as a youngster.

Sang played 27 first-team games for the Bluebirds after his move from Old Trafford in 2019, but was allowed to leave the Welsh capital upon the expiry of his contract last year following respective loan spells at Cheltenham Town and St Johnstone.

The Liverpool-born midfielder featured 48 times in all competitions for the Valiants in his debut campaign, but largely failed to impress as he was played out of position at right-back or right wing-back for the majority of the season and struggled to nail down a starting spot under either Andy Crosby or Darren Moore.

Sang may be better suited to the fourth tier, but has seen the likes of Ben Lomax, Mitch Clark and James Plant all given opportunities on the right of the defence so far this pre-season, and looks unlikely to force his way into Moore's thoughts in midfield with Ryan Croasdale, George Byers, Conor Grant, Jason Lowe and Funso Ojo all set to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

The 25-year-old still has a lot of football ahead of him, but leaving Vale Park looks to be his best option if he wishes to play week-in, week-out in the Football League this season - he also still has one year left on his deal, so it makes sense for the Valiants to allow him to leave for a fee this month, instead of possibly for nothing next summer.

Ben Garrity signs a new deal

Midfielder Ben Garrity was one of Vale's shining lights in a dismal 2023/24 campaign, and he proved that he is as important as ever to the club as he now heads into his fourth season in ST6.

Garrity joined the Valiants in 2021 after he failed to make an appearance in his two seasons at Blackpool, but impressed on loan at Oldham Athletic in the 2020/21 season, which led Vale to spend a fee to take him from Bloomfield Road.

He was a crucial part of their League Two promotion-winning campaign in his debut season as he netted 12 goals in 46 league games from central midfield, and picked up the Fan's Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year and Supporter's Club Player of the Year for his standout performances.

The 27-year-old was an ever-present in his first League One season until picking up a calf injury in March, then signed a new two-year contract extension in the summer of 2023, owing to his key role in Andy Crosby's midfield.

After continuing to shine last season and picking up another Supporters Player of the Year award, despite relegation, Vale fans would love to see Garrity sign another new deal soon, with his current contract up next summer.

It would provide a huge boost to the club if his future could be sorted before the new season gets fully underway, as he looks set to play a huge part if Moore's side are to challenge near the top of the league for immediate promotion.

Baylee Dipepa is given a real chance

The Valiants have tied down young hotshot Baylee Dipepa to a three-year deal this summer, and now it is time to see him given ample opportunity to start every week for Moore's side after a breakout season in League One.

Local lad Dipepa burst onto the scene last campaign, as he made his first-team debut in September at the age of 16 and went on to feature 26 times in all competitions while registering three goals and two assists in the third tier, and then scoring a brace on his England U17 debut in March.

He is one of, if not the biggest talent to come out of the Valiants' academy in recent years, and his future was secured at the club until 2027 in July, amid prior reported interest from Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham.

After his show of faith to the club in signing a new deal, Vale supporters will feel that now is the time for him to be given a chance to stake a claim to start from the off more regularly in the fourth-tier, after he particularly impressed towards the end of last season and started three of their final seven league games.

Vale begin their League Two campaign on August 10 away to Salford City, and take on Barrow twice in the league and cup, Tranmere Rovers, Salford again in the EFL Trophy and then Doncaster Rovers in the first month of the season.

Dipepa must be given enough minutes in those games to justify his contract decision, and prove his worth to Moore ahead of a long campaign where he will need to use the full extent of his squad.