The Football League assigned Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston as his mentor. He bought the Liberty Way stadium off Nuneaton Town in July 2018 and sold Port Vale in May 2019. He was born on 8 August 1960, in Coventry, England, .Coventry is a beautiful and populous city located in Coventry, England. He also admitted that he had been planning on buying Torquay United before being told by the Football League that he would not be allowed to own two clubs. Norman Smurthwaite was born on 8 August, 1960 in Coventry, United Kingdom, is a Businessman; property developer. It's only fair to point out here that The Sentinel has had an uneasy relationship with Smurthwaite, to put it mildly. If there's anything we can help them with I'm sure we can do that with loan players or anything. You only had to listen to his call to Radio Stoke to understand how he sees it. A rival consortium also offered the same figure, but Smurthwaite rejected both offers. Smurthwaite was part of the investment group, led by Paul Wildes, that took Port Vale out of administration in November 2012. $200 per post at $10/CPM. Bookmark. But forget hindsight, there were times when you could only shake your head and wonder 'what on earth is he doing?'. [19] Smurthwaite caused controversy by telling a reporter that supporters who only attended away matches (due partly to Vale Park's high ticket costs) "disgusted" him and that they should "go and support another club". Smurthwaite issued a statement on 2 May apologising for relegation, and stated that he would be stepping down as chairman and would no longer attend games as he looked to sell the club. That ain't going to happen at Port Vale, because if it does, Plan B will be around the corner." We've recruited players from those clubs and of course we want them to do well. [8] Smurthwaite responded by stating that the newspaper had been banned for contacting him personally for comment on the story rather than the club's media team, and that he was also frustrated with a Sentinel reporter for attempting to report facts which Smurthwaite had disclosed to the journalist "in confidence". Owner of Port Vale Football Club Norman Smurthwaite. He continued to reveal that he had been physically assaulted by three Vale supporters in April 2014, though Staffordshire Police could find no record of Smurthwaites complaint. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Okay, some of his answers generated more heat than light - 'None of your business, please sit down' - was one memorable response to a supporter's innocent question about his value of the club. There was controversy however following the club's defeat to mid-table League Two side Exeter City in the Second Round on 6 December 2015, after which Smurthwaite stated he felt "humiliated, ashamed and embarrassed" and said that plans to sign a striker in the January transfer window would be scrapped. She resigned on Friday because she couldn't work with the current ownership. [21] Smurthwaite denied Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis's claim that Smurthwaite threatened to close the club down during the dispute, but retracted his threat to bar police officers from entering the ground during the match. [43] Smurthwaite issued a statement on 2 May apologising for relegation, and stated that he would be stepping down as chairman and would no longer attend games as he looked to sell the club. [14][15] Smurthwaite invested 500,000 into the playing budget in order to help Micky Adams strengthen the squad. Those overheard conversations over plates of enchiladas and banana pudding . He continued to reveal that he had been physically assaulted by three Vale supporters in April 2014, though Staffordshire Police could find no record of Smurthwaite's complaint. Mike Baggaley looks back on Norman Smurthwaite's reign at Port Vale, Sign up NOW for your daily Port Vale newsletter straight to your inbox. He later issued a statement to apologize for his decision to appoint Ribeiro and expressed regret with his own attempts to communicate with fans and "keyboard warriors" over social media. Norman Smurthwaite has stood down as Port Vale chairman, saying he has "seriously damaged the club", and has been succeeded by . A price has been agreed for the sale of Nuneaton Borough Football Club's Liberty Way ground. I'm not sure many would describe Smurthwaite as a people person during his Vale reign, but the club's decline and his decisions turned fans against him. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. [34], Smurthwaite renewed his dispute with The Sentinel by banning the newspaper from attending the club's press conference where the successor to Page was named. All rights reserved. That combative style was also evident in a couple of dramatic supporters' meetings in which, to Smurthwaite's credit, he's taken unvetted questions from the floor for close to three hours. He bought the Liberty Way stadium off Nuneaton Town in July 2018 after the club entered financial difficulties. Explore Norman Smurthwaite Wiki Age, Height, Biography as Wikipedia, Wife, Family relation. Smurthwaite helped save Vale in 2012 from administration but . At 63 years old, Norman Smurthwaite height not available right now. The concern in January was over the future of manager Micky Adams, and the apparent reluctance of Smurthwaite to offer a contract despite the positive results on the field as the managers contract came close to its expiry at the end of the season; once a contract was promised Adams stated that He has talked about it, now he has to deliver. E. Jean Carroll began testifying Wednesday in the trial of her federal lawsuit. So, he missed the sight of supporters parading a huge banner across the . He returned formally to the role of Port Vale chairman the following month. [5] It was revealed that Smurthwaite had funded the initial takeover, and that the pair had a disagreement following defeat to Bristol Rovers in March, with Smurthwaite insisting on a more public approach to take pressure off the manager and players. [57] Smurthwaite went on to issue a statement to condemn "disgraceful abuse" he had received and to urge supporters to not to use "inappropriate language" during protests and to consider the effect of protests on the club and the players; he stated that he was only involved in "major" decisions at the club and left day-to-day decisions to CEO Colin Garlick. He is not dating anyone. It certainly wasn't on the field. [35] Upon appointing Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro, the club's first manager from outside Britain, Smurthwaite stated that: "It has been a long, extensive process but I'm absolutely certain we have the right man for the job. He admits he has made mistakes, but believes he doesn't get the credit he deserves for putting money into the club - his last accounts showed his director's loans to Vale were 2.4m. This was the amount Dale called on supporters and the local business community to pledge when he was interviewed by talkSPORT on Friday. He was hospitalised after being struck by a car whilst walking outside Vale Park on 25 January 2019. We will update Norman Smurthwaite's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. In fact, he said if a new buyer wasn't in place by the end of the season he would stop financially supporting the club which he claimed would inevitably lead to administration. "I fear it is now too late to save the club because there is simply not enough time to do this deal," he said. [17] He appointed Adams's former assistant Rob Page as first team manager in October. At 61 years old, Norman Smurthwaite height not available right now. The administrators of Wigan Athletic have turned down a second approach from former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite, according to reports. He also admitted that he had been planning on buying Torquay United before being told by the Football League that he would not be allowed to own two clubs. Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite steps down after relegation 6 years ago Norwegian firm make bid to buy Port Vale? He was hospitalised after being struck by a car whilst walking outside Vale Park on 25 January 2019. Former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite says he wants to get back into football, but has pulled out of a bid to buy Wigan Athletic. His plan, however, depended on Bury being allowed to start the season - with a small squad and skeleton staff - and the English Football League handing over the club's share of its central income. Two months later he was reported to have launched an unsuccessful bid to purchase crisis-hit club Bury. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 63 years old? [39] He also installed Colin Garlick as the club's CEO, and in January stated that "I'm only really involved now when it comes to prising open the sweetie jar for the money". [46], With Port Vale lying bottom of the English Football League, Smurthwaite sacked Brown on 16 September and claimed that he had been against giving Brown the job on a permanent basis in the summer but left the decision to Chief Executive Colin Garlick. [47] Smurthwaite appointed Neil Aspin as the club's new manager on 4 October, and also brought in John Rudge in an advisory role. [24], "I will never allow the experience of another Exeter in my ownership of the football club. "Fans, anyone out there who will pledge money to come to us "If they come to us and say we'll put 100 in, 1000 in, if the big players put in 100,000, 500,000, whatever it is, we want it pledged to the company. More worry came in December, when The Sunday People revealed that Smurthwaite had e-mailed agents pleading poverty over the club's finances. On 1 March, Synectics Solutions owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan revealed that Smurthwaite had rejected their improved offer of 3.5 million for the club. You can find out how much net worth Norman has this year and how he spent his expenses. I have never expressed a desire to leave. We dont have much information about Hes past relationship and any previous engaged. Aspin steered the club away from relegation by the end of the 201718 season, and in June 2018 Smurthwaite revealed that he had rejected another offer to buy the club from an unnamed bidder. Vale's player budget for this season was the tenth highest in League Two. He took over as chairman of Port Vale in 2013, having been a key figure in the boardroom as the club secured promotion out of League Two in 201213. Smurthwaite was raised in Radford, Coventry, and bought his own home in the area at the age of 17 after receiving compensation from an industrial accident at Dunlop in 1977. Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia. The Norwegian said: "The Bolton situation, the Bury situation - it's hard to keep up with the top if you don't have the resources. So, he missed the sight of supporters parading a huge banner across the away end of Gigg Lane depicting Smurthwaite with a dummy and rattle under the headline 'Bye, bye, cry baby' - get out of our club.'. He later issued a statement saying that the wage bill budget set by the club in the summer was over-ambitious and that he had been forced to meet the 1 million budget deficit out of his own pocket. He sold the business two years later and moved to Nottingham, where he bought a chain of estate agents that he later sold on to the Halifax. He is from British. England women's team manager Phil Neville revealed that his mother Jill, who had been Bury's club secretary, resigned from her job on Friday. Norman Smurthwaite (born 8 August 1960) is an English businessman and former football club chairman. [20] In February, the home game with Doncaster Rovers was put into doubt after Smurthwaite refused to pay extra policing costs that Staffordshire Police had demanded following intelligence that there would be troublemakers instigating violence at the game. I will never allow a manager to tell me that's football and I should accept it. According to our Database, He has no children. Mind you, he and supporters were irreconcilable by that point anyway. [1] He sold the business two years later and moved to Nottingham, where he bought a chain of estate agents that he later sold on to the Halifax. He later issued a statement to apologize for his decision to appoint Ribeiro and expressed regret with his own attempts to communicate with fans and keyboard warriors over social media. Smurthwaite says he has the resources and experience to get crisis-club Bury back on its feet, Sign up NOW for your daily Port Vale newsletter straight to your inbox. Smurthwaite appointed Neil Aspin as the clubs new manager on 4 October, and also brought in John Rudge in an advisory role. In cookbook, Miranda Lambert reveals recipes that fed her. Having previously greeted each EFL postponement of a Bury game - five league fixtures and an EFL Cup tie so far this season - with an angry statement on the club website, Dale announced he was willing to listen to offers for the club early last week. Three days later he received a bid of 1.25 million for the club, matching his original purchase price in 2012. Norman Smurthwaite is a celebrated Engineer. The 58-year-old Midlands businessman has . The sale of both the club and the ground to the Shanahan's was confirmed on 7 May, ending Smurthwaite's seven year reign. [59] On 1 March, Synectics Solutions owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan revealed that Smurthwaite had rejected their improved offer of 3.5 million for the club. Stratton said Potts "had all his marbles . The stadium has been under the ownership of Coventry-born millionaire Norman Smurthwaite since June . He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. So, how much is Norman Smurthwaite worth at the age of 61 years old? His father and family are from the Sunderland area; he owned a business in the North East between 1999 and 2007 and was a season ticket holder at Sunderland for seven seasons. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 August. According to our Database, He has no children. One of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died. Discover Norman Smurthwaite's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He bought the Liberty Way stadium off Nuneaton Town in July 2018 and sold Port Vale in May 2019. When the couple told Smurthwaite they were planning to go public about their offer he texted them to say sorry not interested. But it feels like the time spent typing was often preceded by long moments contemplating what the hell was happening at Port Vale. Randy Stratton, whose late father, Donald Stratton, was Potts' Arizona shipmate and close friend, said Potts died Friday in Provo, Utah, at the home he shared with his wife of 66 years. Norman Smurthwaite, the Port Vale chairman, provoked an angry response from Crewe followers after belittling their away support levels on Twitter before last Saturdays match between the sides, which Crewe won 1-0 in front of a travelling contingent of 1,384. He later issued a statement saying that the wage bill budget set by the club in the summer was over-ambitious and that he had been forced to meet the 1 million budget deficit out of his own pocket. [25] With Vale occupying 17th-place at Christmas, Smurthwaite declared that 'Plan B' had been triggered, meaning the signing of "seasoned, higher grade" players, whilst he admitted he felt "a little bit hoodwinked" as Ribeiro's friends in the game (Jos Mourinho, Aitor Karanka, and Carlos Carvalhal) had provided him with glowing references but had thus far failed to lend any of their players to the Vale. The following day he officially put the club up for sale. [56] During this time the club was serving players unsold pies from matchdays in order to save money. [60] When the couple told Smurthwaite they were planning to go public about their offer he texted them to say "sorry not interested. Something went wrong, please try again later. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Smurthwaite was reported to have made a bid for National League club Notts County in June 2019, but denied having done so. Tensions are running high between the League One neighbours Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra, with the Vale chairman claiming his wife fears for her life when visiting their rivals ground. Smurthwaite responded by stating that the newspaper had been banned for contacting him personally for comment on the story rather than the clubs media team, and that he was also frustrated with a Sentinel reporter for attempting to report facts which Smurthwaite had disclosed to the journalist in confidence. Upon appointing Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro, the clubs first manager from outside Britain, Smurthwaite stated that: It has been a long, extensive process but Im absolutely certain we have the right man for the job. Smurthwaite then improved the clubs budget to allow over ten new, mostly foreign, signings, and stated that he expected Vale to be challenging for the top six and warned his staff that he would enact plan B if the club were not in the top six by Christmas. Smurthwaite continued to effect changes at the club, controversially axing the system of door-to-door lottery collectors and banishing the Port Vale Community Trust out of Vale Park. . [41] He later issued a statement to apologize for his decision to appoint Ribeiro and expressed regret with his own attempts to communicate with fans and "keyboard warriors" over social media. The decision to appoint Michael Brown as permanent manager in the summer of 2017 after Brown had taken over from Ribeiro half way through 2016/17 and taken Vale down, was apparently down to chief executive Colin Garlick. [48] Aspin steered the club away from relegation by the end of the 201718 season, and in June 2018 Smurthwaite revealed that he had rejected another offer to buy the club from an unnamed bidder. A rival consortium also offered the same figure, but Smurthwaite rejected both offers. Want to more about Him? Brown led Vale towards the foot of League Two before Smurthwaite rode to the rescue to end his reign in September 2017. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 60 years old? [54][55] As the transfer window was closing, the Port Vale Supporters' Club unanimously gave a vote of no confidence in Smurthwaite and elected to begin formal protests against his ownership. But even if Dale was to drop that demand, 59 year old Smurthwaite thinks Bury are doomed. Smurthwaite denied Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis's claim that Smurthwaite threatened to close the club down during the dispute, but retracted his threat to bar police officers from entering the ground during the match. He qualified as an engineer and built a business career and property portfolio before retiring at the age of 50. Smurthwaite went on to issue a statement to condemn "disgraceful abuse" he had received and to urge supporters to not to use "inappropriate language" during protests and to consider the effect of protests on the club and the players; he stated that he was only involved in "major" decisions at the club and left day-to-day decisions to CEO Colin Garlick. On 1 March, Synectics Solutions owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan revealed that Smurthwaite had rejected their improved offer of 3.5 million for the club. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 August. Port Vale Football Club is officially up for sale, owner Norman Smurthwaite has confirmed. One Crewe fan, John Ford, wrote to the Crewe Chronicle after the derby, complaining that coaches he had organised to games at Vale Park had been attacked by home fans on three of the previous five visits. [62] The sale of both the club and the ground to the Shanahans was confirmed on 7 May, ending Smurthwaite's seven-year reign. He went on to name John Askey as the club's new manager on 4 February. Smurthwaite was in charge at the Vale from 2012 before s.. View article TheSentinel Add Norman Smurthwaite details Meanings for Norman Smurthwaite Add a meaning Phonetic spelling of Norman Smurthwaite [63], Smurthwaite was reported to have made a bid for National League club Notts County in June 2019, but denied having done so. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. During this time the club was serving players unsold pies from matchdays in order to save money. PVFC Limited, the clubs holding company, was hit with a winding-up order by HM Revenue and Customs in July 2014; Smurthwaite insisted this would not affect the club and that a funding error caused the problem and expected the order to be withdrawn. The Vale went into administration twice in a decade before Smurthwaite arrived. We have had coaches stoned on three of our last five visits there and now have problems getting companies to transport us to Vale Park. In this article, we covered Norman Smurthwaite's net worth, wiki, bio, career, height, weight, pics, family, affairs, car, salary, age, facts, and other details in 2022. Norman Smurthwaite Net Worth & Basic source of earning is being a successful British Business executive. He went on to name John Askey as the clubs new manager on 4 February. We need a pledge of 2.7m plus to save Bury.". Smurthwaite invested 500,000 into the playing budget in order to help Micky Adams strengthen the squad. Smurthwaite caused controversy by telling a reporter that supporters who only attended away matches (due partly to Vale Parks high ticket costs) disgusted him and that they should go and support another club. [1] He qualified as an engineer and inherited an engineering firm in Holbrooks at the age of 21 from a friend who was a "father figure" to him. Mr Norman Smurthwaite holds 1 appointment at 1 active company, has resigned from 7 companies and held 0 appointments at 0 dissolved companies. PA understands the EFL wants Dale, or any other Bury owner, to prove they have access to circa 2.8million before they will be allowed to start the season. This page is not available in other languages. According to Porter, Smurthwaite rang him up, told him supporters would live to regret it while he, the owner, would be 'sucking his lollipop in the sun.'. He qualified as an engineer and built a business career and property portfolio before retiring at the age of 50. Norman Smurthwaite was born on 8 August, 1960 in Coventry, United Kingdom, is a Businessman; property developer. "Millionaire Coventry City fan who has just bought Port Vale", "Port Vale vs SAFC: another Who are You?, a big Sunderland connection", "Port Vale takeover: 'Fans are key to the future prosperity of club', "Smurf won over by the passion of supporters", "Port Vale: Chairman Paul Wildes steps down after six-month reign", "Sentinel reporter Michael Baggaley banned from the press box at Vale Park", "Club finances under scrutiny after chairman Norman Smurthwaite gives plea of poverty to football agents", "Smurthwaite responds after Port Vale's finances come under spotlight", "Micky Adams won't rush new contract deal", "Winding-up petition will not harm club, says chairman", "Port Vale axe season tickets for lottery agents", "Port Vale community scheme moves to Hanley after row with football club", "Manager Micky Adams in the market for two more players", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite plans to bring in more Premier League youngsters", "Port Vale appoint interim boss as manager", "Chairman turned down Hasselbaink amid racist fan chants accusation", "Chairman says away-only Vale fans might as well support Stoke City", "Port Vale: Claims that Norman Smurthwaite 'threatened to close club' over police row", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite stands by decision to refuse police bill", "Norman Smurthwaite makes clear that Rob Page runs the team", "Chairman not planning to sell club and believes email was a hoax", "Chairman warns of Plan B if Ribeiro's team aren't challenging for top six by Christmas", "Norman Smurthwaite says Rob Page didn't face TV sacking at Maidenhead", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite puts League One club up for sale", "Chairman scraps plans to sign striker after FA Cup exit", "Norman Smurthwaite puts club up for sale", "Buyer will need more than 4m for club and ground", "Norman Smurthwaite says he was beaten up by three Vale fans", "Norman Smurthwaite plays down rumours of buying Torquay", "Chairman criticised by anti-racism group over Hasselbaink decision", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite says he wanted Rob Page out", "Valiants reveal press conference to unveil new manager", "Valiants confirm Bruno Ribeiro is new manager", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite says Plan B has been triggered", "Port Vale: Ribeiro's future may rest on Mourinho and contacts", "Bruno Ribeiro: Port Vale manager resigns after Walsall defeat", "Michael Brown: Port Vale caretaker boss judged on results, says chairman", "Port Vale chairman says bidders have met asking price for club", "Port Vale relegation COMMENT: Fans let down by woeful decisions", "Norman Smurthwaite stands down as Port Vale chairman", "WATCH: Burslem-based IT firm makes 1.25m bid to buy Port Vale", "Norman Smurthwaite rejects both local bids for Port Vale", "Port Vale's Norman Smurthwaite says he was against appointment of Michael Brown", "Port Vale: Gateshead manager Neil Aspin returns to former club as manager", "Norman Smurthwaite reveals talks to sell Port Vale have fallen through", "Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite completes deal for Nuneaton Borough's ground", "Norman Smurthwaite replaces Tony Fradley as Port Vale chairman", "Port Vale owner set to stay in hospital for second night after he is hit by car", "Neil Aspin: Port Vale manager resigns after 15 months in charge", "Norman Smurthwaite: Port Vale owner seeks police help over supporters' abuse", "Port Vale: Kyle Howkins, Callum Whelan and Toby Edser join on loan", "Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite issues statement as fans plan protest", "John Askey: Port Vale appoint ex-Shrewsbury & Macclesfield boss as new manager", "Synectics Solutions' 3.5m bid for Port Vale is rejected today", "Carol Shanahan: 'Why we want to buy Port Vale', "Port Vale supporters protest against owner amid administration claims", "Port Vale: Norman Smurthwaite sells League Two club to Carol & Kevin Shanahan", "Former Port Vale owner makes bid for non-league giants, claims report", "Former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has his say over Notts Co report", "Businessman linked with Notts takeover ready to rescue Bury", "Wigan Athletic bidder drops out of the race", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norman_Smurthwaite&oldid=1144090981, This page was last edited on 11 March 2023, at 19:46. But having initially claimed to buy the club for "philanthropic" reasons, Dale put Bury into administration this summer and engineered a debt repayment scheme, known as a company voluntary arrangement, that would see creditors paid only 25 per cent of what they are owed, with him and his associates being the main beneficiaries. Norman Smurthwaite (born 8 August 1960) is an English businessman and former football club chairman. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has spoken publicly about his efforts to buy crisis club Bury FC.