Neil Aspin quits Gateshead for Port Vale post

(Photo: Media Image)
By Adam Ellis
Neil Aspin has left Gateshead to take over the vacant managerial role at League Two strugglers Port Vale.
Aspin led the Heed to eighth and ninth place finished in the National League during his two seasons at the International Stadium but has taken the decision to pursue new challenges at Vale who he made 410 appearances for as a player.
In a Gateshead statement, club chairman Richard Bennett said: “Neil has left the club on very good terms.
“He’s an ambitious person and we couldn’t stand in his way of managing a Football League side where he is held in such high regard.
“There has been continued interest from club interested in acquiring Neil’s services as manager since he arrived at Gateshead almost two years ago.
“That is the calibre of manager he is and we will now look to ensure that we appoint a manager who is right for the club and matches our ambitions of reaching the Football League.
As the Heed search for a new manager to close the gap on the play-off spots, 52-year-old Aspin took time to thank his colleagues at his hometown club.
“I’d like to thank Richard and Julie Bennett for giving me the opportunity to manage my hometown club.
“They have both been brilliant to work for and fully understood my reasons for leaving the club.
“It is only down to them both, that Gateshead is able to operate at this level and I really hope that they can get the success that they deserve.
“I’d also like to thank all of the players at the club and hope that they can all prosper and have successful careers.”
With Aspin’s assistant Lee Nogan also departing the club, reserve team boss Micky Cummins takes over first-team duties in the interim.