Jimmy Bell to take up a position with Southport

Vale coach Jimmy Bell, who joined the club in the summer to take charge of the Development Squad has left the club and will take up the post of Assistant manager with Southport with immediate effect.

Formerly a number two with John Coleman at Accrington Stanley, Jimmy will again work with the former Stanley boss, who is now in charge of the Merseyside club.

Jimmy said: “I have taken up the opportunity to work alongside John Coleman at Southport. I worked with John over a seventeen or eighteen year period and we are very close and work quite well together.

“I have worked at Port Vale – an absolutely magnificent club – for the past six months and I have really enjoyed my time here.

“I had an understanding with the gaffer, Micky Adams, that if an opportunity like this came up he wouldn’t stand in my way - he has really looked after me.

“I have had a great set of lads and had Jordan Hugill come through and I think there will be one or two others and I think they will all find their level and do well in the game.

“I will join Southport as number two. It will be a difficult job and it was a really, really difficult choice for me to take.

“I have had a week of sleepless nights thinking about it because I have really enjoyed my time at Port Vale and have loved working under Micky and for such a big club.

“In the long haul, we would like to get Southport back on the map. We took over Accrington, who were a lot smaller and lower-league club than what Southport are now.

“Southport have a bigger fan base and they are really well run by Charlie Clapham, the Chairman, and his staff there.

“It is a bit of a blank canvas for us, but we know the catchment area, we have worked under these restraints and the things they have put in place so we know how to get a team going, though saying it and doing it are two different things.

“They are struggling a little bit down at the wrong end of the Conference. It’s a bit of a challenge, but it’s a good job for us.

“We have arranged a friendly for tonight against Stockport to assess and see what we have got so I start tonight and can’t go on the Christmas do, which is another bit of a downer.

“I would like to thank everybody at Port Vale, who have been absolutely magnificent, every single one, the staff, the players and everyone have made me feel really welcome and I am going to miss everyone.”

Vale boss Micky Adams added: “Jimmy has only been here for a short while but he has made a big impact and I would like to wish him well in the future.

“He did a very good job in the six months he was at Port Vale and I am sure he will continue to do a good job with John Coleman at Southport.”