Sam Stockley has made over 400 career appearances (Getty).

New Port Vale signing Sam Stockley says anything less than reaching the League Two play-offs would be a disappointing season for the Valiants.

The former Wycombe Wanderers defender told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm here for promotion. It's a big club with the potential to be an even bigger club.

"Anything less than the play-offs would be an upsetting season."

The 30-year-old former Southampton trainee joined the Valiants on a free transfer in May.

Vale begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly at Farsley Celtic on Tuesday evening, but Stockley says he will not be paying much attention to results until the first competitive game of the season.

"For me, pre-season is purely about fitness," he said. "I'm sure the gaffer will try lots of different things before the first game of the season which is obviously the most important."

Stockley is an experienced leader having captained both Wycombe and Colchester United and says it would be an honour to be given the armband at Vale Park.

"It's down to the gaffer" said Stockley. "I won't change how I play whether I am skipper or not but of course it would be an honour be captain of the Vale."