The
Bears announced the recruitment of the Valiants legend among a raft of new
signings, which also included another ex-Vale favourite in midfielder Gary
Roberts.
Pope
was one of 15 players released by Vale boss Darrell Clarke at the end of the
League Two season as he looked to re-shape his squad.
Pope’s
departure ended a wonderful playing career with his home-town club having
scored 115 goals in his two spells, making him the club’s post-war record
scorer.
He
netted 33 in the 2012/13 League Two promotion season in his first spell then
was crucial in keeping Vale in the Football League in his second.
The
striker is 36 in August and hadn’t been able to feature regularly under Clarke
because he was making his way back to fitness after breaking his arm and
damaging shoulder ligaments in the EFL Trophy defeat at Sunderland.
Typically,
he played on with the injuries because all the substitutes had been used and he
didn’t want the team having to finish the game with 10 men.
He
has now opted to link up with Congleton, who are managed by his former Vale
team-mate Richard Duffy.
Duffy
took over as first-team boss back in May following Ryan Austin’s decision to
step down from the role.
Midfielder
Roberts, aged 34, joins Congleton from Vanarama National League North side
Chester.
He
was a fans’ favourite at Chester and made 46 appearances for Vale in 2010/11.
Roberts (pictured) progressed through the Crewe Alexandra academy, before having spells at Yeovil
Town, Mansfield Town and Rotherham United.
Congleton
also announced the arrival of Brian Barton, MacKenzie Faulkner and Josh
Beaumont from Hanley Town and Dan Needham from Eccleshall to their squad.
The
Bears were initially moved into the Midland League for the upcoming campaign.
However, they won their appeal against the decision and have remained in the
North West Counties League. |