Frank Sinclair on life at Port Vale and the lack of BAME coaches

During the season, we’re getting the views of well-known footballers up and down the leagues.

We’ve already spoken to Frank about his thoughts on his old clubs, Chelsea, Leicester and Burnley, but here we’re getting his take on his current life at Port Vale, plus what he thinks the future holds for BAME coaches.

On Port Vale 

We’re still working at the moment at Port Vale to sort out some facilities and a place for us to train because we normally use a leisure centre which is now obviously closed. The problem is everyone is in the same boat now and has major issues so I just hope it’s only for a month. It is what it is, really, and we’ve just got to try and cope.

It’s a very difficult time for us and for other EFL clubs. Obviously we’ve not got the same financial backing as Premier League clubs. Premier League money filters down to the EFL so you’re really governed by how they want to do things and more often than not they make decisions that suit themselves, rather than everybody.

My new role at Port Vale as Head of Development is about bridging the gap between young players and the first team, which has a lot involved in it, including recruitment, the philosophy of the football club and really working alongside the manager to try and get his core values spread throughout the club.

Despite everything it is exciting times at Port Vale, the owners want to improve the academy, the football club as a whole and wants to get youngsters into the team, so it’s a long-term ambition and it will take time to work out, but I’m really excited to see what the next five years will look like for Port Vale Football Club.

I think there could definitely be an improvement on the representations of black football coaches and managers throughout the leagues. I believe things are always trying to be put in place to try and improve those figures and stats, throughout every level of football; not just in the men’s game, in the women’s game as well.

On the lack of BAME coaches

Yes, I am a big advocate in saying that the opportunities are not the same for BAME coaches but I’m never the type that will point the finger and say ‘how come he’s getting that opportunity?’

That’s not my issue, my issue is just that there should be more opportunities there for BAME coaches. Not just coaches, either, but when you look in the board room, what do board rooms look like in and around football clubs up and down the country.

If you’re going to improve the ethos and the diversity of football clubs then you have to improve the board rooms – that’s where it has to come from.