Port Vale are wasting no time in planning for their return to League Two, with captain Ben Garrity at the heart of their summer rebuild. The club has offered the 29-year-old attacking midfielder a new contract as they look to bounce back from a disappointing relegation campaign.

Garrity, who joined from Blackpool in June 2021, has been a key figure at Vale Park, racking up 198 appearances in all competitions. He played an integral role in the club's promotion to League One in 2024-25, though this season was disrupted by a pre-season injury that limited him to just 28 appearances. Despite the setback, his leadership and experience make him a vital piece for new boss Jon Brady.

While talks with Garrity continue, there's positive news on two other fronts: defender Connor Hall and midfielder Ryan Croasdale have triggered contract extensions, ensuring they'll be part of the squad for the 2026-27 season.

The summer overhaul, however, means significant changes are on the horizon. Seven players from the squad that earned promotion under Darren Moore two seasons ago—Ben Amos, Mitch Clark, Ben Heneghan, Jesse Debrah, Sam Hart, Ben Lomax, and Funso Ojo—are being released. Joining them out the door are Arron Davies, Tyler Magloire, Grant Ward, and Andre Gray.

Further squad reshaping sees goalkeeper Marko Marosi and midfielder Jordan Shipley, both of whom signed two-year deals at the start of the season, made available for transfer, along with Rico Richards and Ruari Paton.

With 19 players now under contract, Vale are setting the foundation for a strong League Two campaign under Brady. After finishing 22nd—10 points adrift of safety—the club is clearly determined to rebuild quickly and avoid a repeat of this season's struggles. For fans, the focus now shifts to how this new-look squad will take shape ahead of what promises to be a pivotal summer.