Anthony Grant said it was a ‘privilege’ to receive three of Port Vale’s end of season awards.
The midfielder picked up the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Club Player of the Year after an exceptional first campaign in Burslem.
He collected two of those trophies at the Club’s awards dinner on Saturday night and spoke to the press following the presentation.
“It’s brilliant, after how I got released from Crewe,” he said. “They basically said I wasn’t worth the money and so to come here and have the players, fans and everyone vote for me is a privilege.”
Grant arrived at Vale Park last summer and soon became a fans’ favourite due to his impressive performances.
The 28-year-old admitted he settled in very quickly because of how welcome he was made to feel by the players in the dressing room.
“It was very easy,” he added. “I’ve had people like Birchy and Doddsy who have made me feel welcome, along with Duffs and Byron.
“So it was easy and then Ajay came so it’s quite easy and all the boys have banter and it’s a good environment to be in, we have a good bunch of lads.”
Grant was also full of praise for manager Rob Page, saying: “I knew my ability and Pagey has come here and given me my chance. I’ve just expressed myself and had fun on the pitch.
“Pagey understands the players, inside-out so if you ask all the players no one would have a bad thing to say about him, even those that aren’t playing.
“That speaks for itself. Everyone goes on the pitch and wants to do it for themselves but not only that but for Pagey as well.”
As one of nine players already under contract for the 2016/17 season, Grant is already looking forward to next term and hopes his teammates that have been offered deals decide to stay.
“We’ll come back, work hard, the gaffer will bring in the players and we’ll try to gel and try to replace players if they don’t stay.
“If they do stay then that’s good. We’ll get to December, see where we’re at and each game we’ll take it and try to win as many as possible.
“We’re in a position to know what we’ve got to do then hopefully we’ll be in a better frame of mind after what happened this year because we were around the play-offs.”
He collected two of those trophies at the Club’s awards dinner on Saturday night and spoke to the press following the presentation.
“It’s brilliant, after how I got released from Crewe,” he said. “They basically said I wasn’t worth the money and so to come here and have the players, fans and everyone vote for me is a privilege.”
Grant arrived at Vale Park last summer and soon became a fans’ favourite due to his impressive performances.
The 28-year-old admitted he settled in very quickly because of how welcome he was made to feel by the players in the dressing room.
“It was very easy,” he added. “I’ve had people like Birchy and Doddsy who have made me feel welcome, along with Duffs and Byron.
“So it was easy and then Ajay came so it’s quite easy and all the boys have banter and it’s a good environment to be in, we have a good bunch of lads.”
Grant was also full of praise for manager Rob Page, saying: “I knew my ability and Pagey has come here and given me my chance. I’ve just expressed myself and had fun on the pitch.
“Pagey understands the players, inside-out so if you ask all the players no one would have a bad thing to say about him, even those that aren’t playing.
“That speaks for itself. Everyone goes on the pitch and wants to do it for themselves but not only that but for Pagey as well.”
As one of nine players already under contract for the 2016/17 season, Grant is already looking forward to next term and hopes his teammates that have been offered deals decide to stay.
“We’ll come back, work hard, the gaffer will bring in the players and we’ll try to gel and try to replace players if they don’t stay.
“If they do stay then that’s good. We’ll get to December, see where we’re at and each game we’ll take it and try to win as many as possible.
“We’re in a position to know what we’ve got to do then hopefully we’ll be in a better frame of mind after what happened this year because we were around the play-offs.”