Looking back at Port Vale’s eleven promotions

To date, Port Vale FC have been involved in eleven promotion seasons since joining the Football League in 1892. In this special long read we look at each of the promotion seasons in chronological order.

1929-30 – Third Division North Champions

Port Vale’s very first promotion was achieved in astonishing fashion. Having been relegated from the Second Division into the newly created third tier, Vale overcame huge challenges to win promotion. Firstly, they built an experienced, dependable team. Then, with the team top of the table they overcame the huge shock of manager Joe Schofield dying. Managed by Schofield’s assistant Tom Morgan, the team powered to the title setting a record for most points won (67) and also a still-standing club record of winning a remarkable 30 games out of 42 played. The top-scorer was veteran Sam Jennings, scoring 24 goals from just 30 games, while Bill Cope, Tom Baxter and Roger Jones played almost all the League games.

1953-54 – Third Division North Champions

The Valiants had to wait until after World War Two for their second promotion and second title but once again it proved to be a memorable one. The famed Iron/Steele Curtain side managed by Freddie Steele reached the semi-final of the FA Cup and set seven club records, all of which still remain to this day. A settled team of mostly locally born players were unbeaten at home all season, conceding just five goals in 23 home games. They also defeated Stanley Matthews’ Blackpool on the way to the FA Cup semi-final where they only lost due to a bitterly disputed penalty. Legendary defender Roy Sproson said of the season – “At the time, we did not know what it was like to lose and the thought never occurred to us. We were convinced, in fact, that we could not be beaten.”

1958-59 – Fourth Division Champions

For the second time, Port Vale were relegated into a newly formed division and for the second time they emerged as that division’s champions, making it three titles in a row for the Valiants. Norman Low’s side scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division title with five forwards reaching double figures.

1969-70 – Fourth Division promotion (fourth place)

After the trauma of being expelled from the League a year earlier Vale secured promotion in 1970. Managed expertly by Gordon Lee a settled Valiants side secured fourth place with a nine game unbeaten run at the end of the season. John James was the top League scorer with fourteen goals while legendary player Roy Sproson played his twentieth season with the club, winning his third Vale promotion in the process.

1982-83 – Fourth Division promotion (third place)

John McGrath’s side ended years of mediocrity with the club’s first promotion in thirteen years. The canny Port Vale manager had cleverly used the proceeds of Mark Chamberlain’s sale to Stoke to craft an experienced side. Among the star performers were veteran Barry Siddall in goal, Roy Sproson’s nephew, Phil Sproson in central defence, the energetic Geoff Hunter in midfielder, pacy Steve Fox on the flank and grizzled veteran Bob Newton upfront. Newton finished as the top-scorer with twenty goals.

1985-86 – Fourth Division promotion (fourth place)

The 1986 promotion was the first under legendary manager John Rudge and heralded the start of a golden age. The top-scorer was rookie striker Andy Jones, who was partnered upfront with youth team graduate Robbie Earle. Both would go on to play in the top-flight. Canny wing operator Paul Maguire conjured multiple assists and ten goals of his own while reliable full-back Alan Webb was a near ever-present.

1988-89 – Third Division promotion (third place)

Port Vale returned to the second tier for the first time in thirty years with their first win through the play-offs. Local lad Robbie Earle scored the decisive goal in a two legged final against Bristol Rovers. Earle was just one of the stars of a well-balanced Vale side which saw youngster Darren Beckford paired with veteran Ron Futcher upfront, experienced duo Phil Sproson and Bob Hazell at the back and playmaker Ray Walker pulling the strings in midfield.

1993-94 – Second Division promotion (second place)

John Rudge’s classy side bounced back into the second tier with arguably one of the most cultured sides in the club’s history. Rudge’s side boasted the likes of Bernie Slaven, Martin Foyle, Robin van der Laan, Ray Walker, Paul Kerr and the ace in the pack – former non-league midfielder Ian Taylor, who netted thirteen times from midfield. Promotion was assured after the final game of the season – in front of thousands of travelling Vale supporters at Brighton’s Goldstone Ground.

2012-13 – League Two promotion (third place)

Micky Adams produced his own miracle, against all the odds, promotion as he took a Vale side which was in administration in the summer all the way to promotion. The team’s talisman was striker Tom Pope who, after scoring five goals the previous season, feasted on the service from wingers Ashley Vincent and Jennison Myrie-Williams to score 33 times. The Valiants finally secured new owners in the New Year and reached their high point by thumping seven goals past Burton. Despite a blip towards the end of the season, promotion was effectively sealed after a home draw against Northampton Town with Vale fans in party mood for the final game – a trip to Wycombe.

2022-23 – League Two promotion (play-offs)

Like their first promotion, Vale’s promotion in 2023 was sadly punctuated by devastating personal tragedy, Port Vale went up through the play-offs despite a tragic family loss for manager Darrell Clarke. With Vale faltering after the loss of their leader as Clarke took compassionate leave, assistant Andy Crosby took charge and revived the club’s form as the side scraped into the play-offs after the final game of the season. The team was spearheaded by talented striker James Wilson, who hit top form in the play-off games. Wilson was one of the scorers in the memorable play-off final win over Mansfield Town at Wembley stadium.

2024-25 – League Two promotion

The Valiants bounced back from the previous season’s relegation by finishing in second place. Manager Darren Moore, backed by owners the Shanahans, completely revamped the squad over the summer and hopes were high ahead of the season. Vale soon got into their stride and topped the table by October. With Moore picking up two manager of the month awards it looked like it may be plain sailing but the wheels came off towards the end of the year and Vale slipped down the table. Moore’s side, helped by the pairing of Jayden Stockley and Lorent Tolaj and the return of captain Ben Garrity, gradually turned the form around in 2025.  The Vale saved their best form till late on – wins over Walsall and Bradford pushing them back into the promotion picture. A 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon sealed Vale’s return with a game to go.