Promotion winning Port Vale captain Doug Loft has spoken of his pride in leading Vale to their first promotion since 1994. 

The midfielder who led the side out for the final match of the season yesterday in the 1-1 draw with Wycombe has dedicated the promotion to the supporters and has backed the club to compete in League One next season.

He said: “The Fans have been terrific, supported us at home and away our fans have been the best in the league bar none.

“Credit to them and us going up is for them.”

With promotion in the bag after the 2-2 draw with Northampton last Saturday, yesterday’s draw with Wycombe was seen by many as a dead-rubber but for Loft it was about carrying through that winning momentum. 

“It is good atmosphere, the boys have done well and it has been a long season and I think we have deservedly gone up to be fair.

“It’s a bit of a fairy-tale from where we were at the beginning of the season and the last year so the boys have done well and dug in and everyone has played their part and been fantastic.

“It probably would have ruined it for me if we had lost we want to win every game,” said Loft.

“We battled back like we have done all season, I think we were probably the better team today and probably had the better chances it’s just a shame we didn’t take them.”

Loft admits the players will enjoy the celebrations and the summer but by the end of June they will be raring to go and compete in League One.

Loft explained: “The boys are out tonight and on holiday on Wednesday.

“It’s well deserved and just congratulations to everyone at the club.

“We are all eager to go again next season, we’ll go and enjoy our summer but we know the bigger challenge is next year so we’ll be concentrating on that.”

League One beckons next season and Loft who has played there with Brighton and Hove Albion is sure the team can be in the mix and compete at the next level. 

“We know the challenge is to do well in League One and not just League Two.

“You've got bigger teams in that league and there is better football, quicker football so I'm sure with a few additions we will be there or there about,” he said.

Loft added: “It’s going to be a big challenge for a lot of the lads and we are all looking forward to it, we’ll come back with smiles on our faces and raring to go.”