Mark Grew believes the players have been rewarded for their hard work

Mark Grew, like many at Vale Park on Saturday, could hardly believe his eyes during the first 28 m minutes of the game as Vale steamrollered promotion favourites Rotherham United.

He said: “It was like Fantasy Island after about half an hour, four-nil up and you think you are going to wake up, but all credit to the lads.

“I look back at the Torquay game (the previous weekend)and I think it could have been the same result if we had scored as early as we did on Saturday.

“It’s funny, because Micky had a bit of a pop at the lads on Saturday because he was disappointed with them conceding.

“The next ten minutes after their second goal was a difficult period, but Tom Pope did brilliant, not just up front, but his defending too. But for a bit of good defending from Tom, they could have made it four-three.

“The fifth goal was vital for us and it killed them off and the get a sixth goal was icing on the cake.

All of the hard work done during the summer seems to be paying off so far. Some of the players had never seen anything like it in their professional careers, but are grateful for all of that hard work now.

Grew continued: “I’m not surprised about our start to the season after working with the squad in pre-season. We went to Ireland and saw them gelling together and the camaraderie was there.

“When it came to the dispute with the contracts, nobody wanted to leave and I think everybody them believed we would have a good season.

“Whether we have a good season we don’t know, but we have had a good start. There’s a long way to go yet and some difficult games to come, but they have worked very, very hard.

The Assistant Manager was quick to acknowledge the part Micky Adams has played, although the boss himself tends to play it down a little.

Grew said: “Some credit has to go to the manager as well.  A lot of them wanted to know whether the gaffer was staying before they signed their contracts.

“It has been difficult for him, that’s for sure, but as soon as he gave them his word that he wasn’t going anywhere and was going to see the job through, they all signed, so credit to the manager as well.”