Famous Players – The 2010’s

Adam Yates

Local lad Adam Yates came through the Academy set up at Crewe Alex as a right back before signing his first professional contract with the Railwaymen in 2002. He was released having never played for the first team and joined Leek Town in 2004.

Following an unsuccessful trial with the Vale in 2005 Adam joined Morecambe where he was a regular for 3 seasons before signing for the Vale on a 2 year contract under Micky Adams in 2009.

Described as a dependable right back with good crossing ability Adam went on to play 9 seasons for the Vale being awarded Community Foundation Player of the Year in 2017. Then in November 2017 he was involved in a freak accident in a reserve game when he collided with Vale keeper Sam Hornby.  The resulting severe facial and eye injuries he suffered resulted in his retirement as a player in May 2018.  He was named as Community Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

Following recovery from his injuries Adam joined the Vale Community Foundation Trust and is now CEO of the Hubb Foundation Charity.

A public vote conducted by the Sentinel newspaper in 2019 resulted in Adam being named Port Vale’s best right back of the 2010s receiving more than twice the number of votes than his nearest rival for that position.

Adam can be regularly heard as a matchday summariser for Vale games on BBC Radio Stoke.