A learning curve for the club, it marked the first of four seasons of struggle in what was rapidly becoming the second tier of the strongest league in the world.

The pre-season started terribly, with star striker Frank McGinnes dying of kidney disease before a ball was kicked.

[1] The first match continued in desperately poor fashion; Billy Beats missed the train, and so Vale played with ten men against Small Heath, losing 5–1, with Bliss scoring the club's first Football League goal – his only goal in the league ever.

Away matches were difficult for the "Valeites" as players had trouble gaining permission from their employers to miss work.

Their fifteen points were less than half the tally of champions Small Heath (who were not promoted after losing their 'Test Match').