Tom Pope is your typical old-fashioned target-man.

His style of play would not look out of place 30 years ago, but it's effective, with the 32-year-old scoring 12 league goals so far this season for struggling Port Vale.

Pope's affinity with his hometown club is admirable, and it's evident how much he cares for the team.

FLW Chief Editor Sam Rourke managed to catch up with Pope to talk about his interesting career.....

First of all, what have you made of Vale's season so far? 

We made a terrible start and have been very inconsistent since - we put a decent run together and then went on a bad run.

Nobody expected this, certainly in pre-season we were hoping to have a good season, but after the start we had, we're just happy being a few points away from the bottom two.

In-terms of your objectives now as a team, is the main aim to simply stay up?

The nature of this league is so up and down, we went and beat Luton 4-0 and then we lost to bottom of the league - It just goes to show that anyone can beat anyone.

Although we're still wary of the bottom two, at the same time if we can go on a run of five or six games without losing, then we can be right in the mix for the top seven so there is everything still to play for.

What's it like working under Neil Aspin?

He's alright, the fans think he's such a bruiser as he was very aggressive as a footballer - and people may think he's a baller and a raver behind the scenes, but people can get the wrong impression.

He does shout, don't get me wrong, he's ripped a few feathers a couple of times, but he's one of them managers who is not scared to make changes.

If things aren't going to plan going into half-time, he'll probably make more subs at half-time, he's not afraid to make his mind up at half-time.

Most of the time it has worked in our favour and got us a result.

On a personal note, you've scored 12 league goals this season so far, are you happy with that return?

Yeah I am, after about ten games I hadn't scored so it's been a good couple of months for me and i've been helped with the way the lads have been playing.

I'm the target-man who relies heavily on service so if the team are high in confidence, and I am getting chances it works.

You started your professional career at Crewe Alexandra, what was your experience like there?

It was perfect really, it was the perfect club.

If there was any club you want to go to as a youngster it was Crewe, they have so many youth prospects and they just make you feel at home.

It is more difficult these days as most clubs won't utilise the young players in the first-team - the fans at Crewe were patient because they knew it was a team that brought through academy players that one day could be sold for decent money.

When you go to Crewe you don't feel out of place, everyone is on the same page.

Just a few more personal questions for you Tom, what would you say has been the best moment of your career?

Promotion with Vale, it's the only one I've had.

Being promoted with the club you support was definitely the highlight.

What was the worst moment of your career?

Probably when I was at Rotherham and I was forced to play with the kids, I felt like it was out of my hands.

Sometimes if a manager wants you gone they do things to try and out you.

It was a difficult time, the players and everybody were great but his job was on the line and he wanted to bring in fresh faces.

You're reaching the latter stages of your career now, have you got any plans for after football at all?

I will do my badges, It is something I would like to have in my locker - and coaching is something i'd maybe like to get into.

I wouldn't like doing youth football, I think the way kids are nowadays and how football has changed, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

Under-18's and above would be fine, but I wouldn't like anything below.

You can't talk to players how you used to, my mindset is still old-school so I don't know if i'd fit in going down that route.

If it ever came up in the future, would a dream be to Port Vale manager?

It would but only if you're successful - I'd hate to have lived in this city all my life and take over and not do well.

Everything's great if you're doing well but i've seen the treatment managers have had in the past if things aren't going great, it's probably one of the loneliest jobs in the world.

But yeah, I think maybe one day it's something i'd like to do but the pressure i'd put on myself to be successful would be immense and you'd have to do well, otherwise i'd have to stay in and lock my doors every night!

Just a few more light-hearted ones now, who is the worst dressed player at Port Vale?

Rob Lainton, the goalkeeper.

He always wears tracksuits, he rolls up in the worst pair of socks in history, you'd think he'd hide his socks and not show them.

It's not great, the lads batter him for it!

Who is the DJ in the dressing room on a match-day at Vale?

Tyrone Barnett's been doing it, he's not too bad - better than some of the stuff i've heard!

Finally Tom, who is the joker in the dressing room at Vale?

Probably myself!