Port Vale's senior head of recruitment Lee Darnbrough will leave the club at the end of this month. The BBC reported the departure on Tuesday, confirming a significant change in the backroom staff of the struggling League Two side.
Darnbrough was appointed to his role at Vale Park in June 2025. He had previously left a similar position at local rivals Stoke City in February of that year. His exit comes at a challenging time for the club, which was relegated from League One last season and currently sits bottom of the fourth tier. The Valiants have managed only two points from their opening five matches, scoring just twice while conceding seven goals.
Port Vale have confirmed that existing staff members will assume Darnbrough's responsibilities. Head of recruitment Tommy Johnson and chief scout Martin Foyle are set to fill the void created by his departure. This internal solution aims to provide continuity during a critical period for squad planning. The club's immediate focus is on improving a league position that sees them ten points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's fixtures page.
The context for this backroom change is a difficult start to the 2026-27 campaign. Port Vale's record stands at zero wins, two draws, and three losses from five games, a run of form recorded as LLDDL. Their -5 goal difference highlights the problems at both ends of the pitch. This poor opening has left them rooted to the foot of the table, a position they will be desperate to improve upon quickly. The full standings show the scale of the task facing the team and its remaining recruitment team.
Attention now turns to the pitch, with an immediate opportunity to change the narrative this weekend. Port Vale are scheduled to play at home against Exeter City on Saturday, 12 September. The match will kick off at 15:00 BST at Vale Park. Exeter currently occupy 16th place in the League Two table, presenting a winnable fixture for Darren Moore's side. A positive result is essential to build momentum and begin climbing away from the relegation zone.
The internal reshuffle means Johnson and Foyle will carry the recruitment burden as the club looks to strengthen its squad. Their work will be vital in identifying players who can help Port Vale escape their current predicament. Supporters can view the current playing personnel on the official squad list. The final game before Darnbrough's official departure is the home fixture against Exeter City on 12 September 2026.
