1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
5 September 1896 Wellingborough Town H 4-1 200 Mason , D.Evans , Randles , Fallows
19 September 1896 Glossop North End A 1-3 immense D.Evans
26 September 1896 Glossop North End H 0-1 500
17 October 1896 Worksop A 0-1 1,000
24 October 1896 Doncaster Rovers H 5-2 500 Simpson ( 2 ) , T.Evans ( 2 ) , D.Evans
31 October 1896 Wellingborough Town A 2-3 D.Evans , McLean
7 November 1896 Barnsley St Peter 's H 3-1 100 T.Evans ( 2 ) , Belfield
14 November 1896 Rushden H 0-6 few
28 November 1896 Worksop H 4-1 100 Proctor ( 2 ) , T.Evans , o.g
5 December 1896 Heanor Town A 1-7 fair Simpson
19 December 1896 Chesterfield A 2-3 1,000 scrimmage , Simpson
25 December 1896 Dresden United A 2-2 2,000 Hewitt , Fallows
26 December 1896 Ilkeston Town A 3-3 2,000 Simpson ( 2 ) , T.Evans
2 January 1897 Grantham Rovers A 1-0 more than the rule Belfield
9 January 1897 Kettering H 2-1 Belfield , Hewitt
16 January 1897 Mexborough H 2-0 Proctor , Fallows
23 January 1897 Barnsley St Peter 's A 2-7 small D.Evans , Belfield
6 February 1897 Long Eaton Rangers A 3-2 D.Evans , Simpson , Belfield
13 February 1897 Kettering A 2-2 D.Evans ( 2 )
20 February 1897 Grantham Rovers H 8-0 record Belfield ( 2 ) , T.Evans ( 2 ) , Peake , Simpson , D.Evans , Beech
Results -- Midland League
The 1896-97 season was Burslem Port Vale's first season of football (third overall) back in the Midland League following a four season stay in the Football League. The first half of the season saw low crowds and poor results, the consequence of which led to discussions about dissolving the club. However the club returned from the brink, as a new committee was formed, with Edward Oliver installed as chairman and Sam Gleaves appointed club secretary. Good results and large crowds followed in the second half of the campaign, and the club finished in seventh-place and narrowly missed out on re-election to the Football League. Vale were beaten by Football League opposition in the fifth qualification round in the FA Cup, whilst exiting the Birmingham Senior Cup, Staffordshire Senior Cup and Wellingborough Cup in the early stages, though they did beat Football League side Walsall in the latter competition. They won the Staffordshire Senior Charity Cup after beating Dresden United 3-0.