Port Vale In September 2008, Sinnott left Port Vale, leaving Glover again with the role as caretaker-manager in a shared role alongside Andy Porter. This led to speculation as to which of the two would be made manager. Glover was the expected choice and was duly appointed as manager on 6 October. A win at Shrewsbury Town instigated a run of four away wins out of five. However Vale soon returned to their poor form, and slid back down the table. At the end of October, former Vale star Dave Brammer joined on loan from Millwall, and would join permanently in the January transfer window. The next month Scott Brown also arrived on loan from Cheltenham Town, and would also join on a permanent transfer two months later. This is also what happened with defender Gareth Owen, who arrived after leaving Stockport County following a bust-up with Jim Gannon. Notts County player Neil MacKenzie also joined on loan, but would not enjoy his short stay in Stoke-on-Trent. Attempts to bring back Chris Birchall on loan failed. Leaving Burslem was Chris Slater, who returned to former club Chasetown. In December, Andy Porter left the club's backroom staff after seventeen years at the club, highlighting the unrest in the camp. Both Porter and Mark Grew had turned down offers to become Glover's assistant. In January, striker Luke Rodgers was released from his contract after a bust-up with Glover, and immediately signed with Yeovil Town. Shane Tudor retired due to injury on 21 January. Glover signed loanee Lee Collins to a permanent contract, after Wolverhampton Wanderers agreed to release the young defender. Brammer also signed a short-term contract with the club after securing his release from Millwall. Glover also brought in Pakistan international Adnan Ahmed on loan from Tranmere Rovers. Glover stated the club's revised aim was a top-half finish. By February 2009, with the club in the bottom depths of the bottom tier of the Football League, fans organized protests at Glover's leadership. Many chanted 'Glover Out' during home defeats, and even a large banner was unveiled on 28 February 3–1 defeat to Luton Town, with organized protests involving hundreds of supporters being held before and after the game. Glover accepted he was not the popular choice to take over from Sinnott and described himself as a "dead man walking". Many fans, we well as local journalists and pundits questioned Glover's tactical