[1] The run included a 5–0 win over Barrow and 5–1 victory over New Brighton, with Albert Pynegar scoring a hat-trick in the latter game.

[1] Winning ten of their opening eleven games, Vale marked themselves as promotion favourites early on.

[1] However, during this sequence, tragedy struck on 29 September with the death of manager Joe Schofield, aged 58, following a short illness.

[1] His funeral took place on 3 October, with Stoke City fans also mourning his death, as he had managed both clubs – the only man ever to do so.

[1] To rectify things Bill Rawlings was signed from Manchester United for a four-figure fee, Ben Davies also arrived from Crewe Alexandra in a straight swap for Arthur Brown.

[1] At a Burslem Town Hall reception, 2,000 supporters congratulated the team on their achievement, amongst them Stoke's Wilf Kirkham.

[1] Leaving the club were Robert Gillespie, Jack Prince, and Bill Rawlings; they left for Wrexham, Rochdale, and New Milton respectively.

[1] During the first encounter Bob Connelly made his 122nd consecutive appearance, but was injured during the rough match.

Chesterfield would win all but three of their home games in the league and were equally stubborn opposition for the "Valiants", who they defeated 2–0.