Port Vale midfielder Ryan Croasdale has admitted he is keen to prove the doubters wrong as he prepares to play in League One for the first time in his career.
The 30-year-old began life at Preston North End but was released in 2014. He joined Sheffield Wednesday but found himself in a similar predicament two years later.
After various trials in the summer of 2016, the versatile playmaker opted to drop into non-league with Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North. This saw him earn a move to the division above in 2018 with AFC Fylde, which eventually caught the eye of then-National League big guns Stockport County.
Croasdale helped the Hatters earn promotion to League Two in 2022, offering him an opportunity to finally break into the EFL. He made the transition with ease and two years later, secured a second promotion, this time to League One. However, instead of making the jump to the third tier, the former England C international transferred to Port Vale last summer.
Croasdale Relishing Fresh Opportunity
Croasdale was a virtual ever-present under Darren Moore last season. His debut campaign at Vale Park was a huge success, with his four goals and five assists playing a huge role in the Valiants second-placed finish. This saw the player pick up the club’s Supporters Club Player, Players’ Player, and Player of the Season in the end of season awards.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the midfielder admitted he is looking forward to proving his previous doubters wrong:
“For me to have this opportunity now, I want to kick on and prove people wrong.
“I think whichever player you are, you’re always trying to prove a manager or pundit, whoever had a bad word to say about you, you’re trying to prove them wrong, so I’m looking forward to it.
“There has always been that little bit of doubt, but even when I was at Stockport when they brought good players in and good midfielders in, I’ve always kept my shirt and I want to try and do that here.
“Up until Stockport I’d never played in the Football League, and then my first year we got to the play-off final, the second year we got promoted and then I came here and got promoted from League Two.
“So I’m looking forward to kicking on again and hopefully I’ll take it in my stride.”
Writer’s View
Ryan Croasdale has never been afraid of hard work and the fact he has bounced back from an array of disappointments earlier in his career to work his way through the divisions is a testament to his character. He has shown during his time with Stockport and Port Vale that he thoroughly deserves this opportunity. He made the step up from the National League to League Two with ease and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see similar results with this latest transition.
