He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made them difficult to beat, taking them to a tenth-place finish, just outside the play-offs.

Marc Richards hit 23 goals, whilst Player of the Year Anthony Griffith was also an essential part of the first XI.

[4] He made his first signing on 15 June, bringing 21-year-old Tommy Fraser to the club on a free transfer, who had played for Adams at Brighton.

He was still strengthening his squad early in the season, signing midfielders Jason Jarrett, Kris Taylor and Claus Bech Jørgensen on short-term deals.

[12] The season started with just one defeat in the first seven league games, demonstrating how Adams had made his side difficult to beat.

Joe Anyon returned to fitness to play a reserve team game on 23 September,[13] but failed to displace teenager Chris Martin.

[14] After a period of three defeats in seven days, including being knocked out of the League Cup at the third round, Adams decided to place his whole squad on the transfer list, saying of his team's performance: "We looked like a woman who had a big fur coat on but underneath she’s got no knickers on.

"[15] It was a controversial move, one that divided opinion among analysts and fans,[16][17] also bringing the fourth tier club to national attention.

[20] Luke Prosser and Danny Glover both were shipped off to Conference National side Salisbury City on one-month loan deals.

Adams' men stormed into the play-off places for the first time in the season with just two games left to play, following a 2–1 win over champions-elect Notts County.

At the end of the season Joe Anyon was offered a new contract at Vale Park on reduced pay,[38] but instead signed with Lincoln City.

[45] Ross Davidson also joined Stafford Rangers, after having spent much of the season loan at the club, as well as a brief time at Nantwich Town.

[56] Vale then took another Championship side, Scunthorpe United, to extra time at Glanford Park, before succumbing to a 2–0 defeat.

In the Football League Trophy, Vale knocked out Stockport County with a 3–1 win before exiting in the Third Round after losing out to Bradford City at Valley Parade in a penalty shoot-out.