Starting its post-war period modestly on the pitch with a tenth-place finish, the club still handed débuts to future legends Tommy Cheadle and Ronnie Allen, whilst work continued to complete 'The Wembley of the North'.

A club record was started on 19 October 1946, that would be completed on 13 March 1948, with a 33-long run of home games in which Vale's opposition failed to keep a clean sheet.

[1] They recorded some very one-sided victories over local amateur teams such as Shelton Labour, Hanley Deep Pit, and Northwood Mission.

[1] Players that guested for the club included names such as Peter Doherty, Micky Fenton, Frank Soo and Dennis Wilshaw.

Meanwhile, Jack Roberts became a hero without losing his life, rising to the rank of Sergeant, he was captured in Tunisia, however, managed to escape from a prisoner-of-war camp to return home.

[2] Of the 1938–39 squad there were six who returned for the 1946–47 campaign: goalkeepers George Heppell and Arthur Jepson; defender Harry Griffiths; and midfielders Alf Bellis, Wilf Smith, and Don Triner.

Three players specifically recruited in summer 1946 to help win promotion were experienced forward Colin Lyman (signed from Tottenham Hotspur for 'fairly substantial fee'); 'the assassin' Garth Butler (Derby County); and half-back Norman Hallam (Chelsea).

[1] The season started with a goalless draw at the Withdean Stadium before a 2–1 defeat by Exeter City in front of 14,490 home fans.

[1] With Vale in poor form at the bottom of the league, manager Billy Frith resigned on 11 October, detailing a list of complaints against the directors, generally accusing them of undermining him and failing to support him sufficiently.

[1] Hodgson also helped set up a youth program, arranging visits to schools, trials, and running two junior sides.

Promotion hopeless and re-election unlikely, the experiments proceeded into the postponed games in May, when high-scoring victories at home followed three consecutive away 1–0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Southend United.

[1] Top scorer Morris Jones hit a very respectable tally of 26 goals, with double-figure hauls from Bill Pointon and Alf Bellis.

[1] In the FA Cup, Vale beat amateur side Finchley, league rivals Watford, and Second Division Millwall to reach the Fourth Round.