Port Vale striker James Wilson has explained how his experience at Manchester United helped Port Vale win promotion from League Two.
The Valiants ran out 3-0 winners over Mansfield in their play-off final to secure League One football next season. Wilson grabbed his side’s second goal in the game - his 15th this season - scoring past United loanee goalkeeper Nathan Bishop on 24 minutes.
It’s been a choppy journey for the former Old Trafford youngster since his departure. The 26-year-old enjoyed a dream debut for United in 2014.
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He announced himself on the senior football scene with two goals against Hull in a 3-1 win under caretaker boss Ryan Giggs. Wilson would go on to be loaned out to a whole host of clubs including Brighton and Sheffield United in subsequent seasons.
Wilson eventually left United for good in 2019, securing a move to Aberdeen after a fairly successful loan at the Scottish club. However, his second season did not run as smoothly and he was shipped out to Salford City in January 2020, where he netted eight times.
His switch to Port Vale last summer has seen him record his highest tally for a season in his senior career by some distance. It has ended with a trophy lift and a jump back up the football pyramid.
Speaking after the game, Wilson gave a nod to his time at United and explained how he used that experience to help Port Vale navigate their way up to League One. “Besides my debut for United, you can't really top the way I'm feeling at the minute,” he said.
“This is one of the memories that will stick with me until I die. Obviously, the path I've taken has been scenic… but this (Port Vale) is where I've been happiest.
“I didn't know what to expect when I left United, because my whole life had been centred around them since I was nine years old. But the loan moves I went on gave me the hunger to become a man and the experiences I learned while I was there teed me up for this."
He added: "Port Vale are now reaping the benefit of those experiences and I owe a lot to United because they gave me the confidence to play in these sorts of games.”
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