Port Vale have announced that former defender Neil Aspin has been appointed as the club's new manager.

Last season, Vale were relegated from the third tier of English football and a poor start to this campaign led to Michael Brown being removed from his position in the dugout.

However, the Staffordshire club have now named a replacement, with club legend Aspin - who made 348 league appearances for Vale during his playing career - being brought in by the club's hierarchy after a successful period in non-league.

The 52-year-old leaves Gateshead, where he had won 37 of his 94 games in charge, while Aspin helped FC Halifax Town move back up the non-league pyramid after their reformation in 2008.

Vale currently sit in 22nd position in the League Two table, although they only sit above the relegation zone on goal difference and are five points adrift of 21st place.