1952–53 Port Vale F.C. season

The pre-season saw the club switched from the Third Division South to the Third Division North, very much against the wishes of the directors, who believed a loss of income would follow.[1] Manager Freddie Steele decided against making any new signings, and instead kept faith with the young team he had inherited the previous season.[1] Offers were made for some of the young prospects, but none were accepted.[1]

The season began with a 1–0 defeat at Valley Parade with a goal from Ray King's brother George, managed by Steele's predecessor Ivor Powell.[1] This did not affect the team's spirits, as they went straight on to a seven match unbeaten run, conceding just three goals.[1] Steele picked up an injury and so selected the versatile Basil Hayward to replace him.[1] A shrewd move, Hayward would go on to become the club's top scorer.[1] It took awhile to pay off however, as Vale went five games scoring just one goal.[1] Steele attempted to sign a new forward, but to no avail.[1] A 1–0 home defeat to wooden spoon contenders Accrington Stanley exemplified the club's trouble in front of goal, and also ended their record-breaking run of twelve consecutive home wins.[1] Steele and trainer Ken Fish put the squad to work on the special fitness regime they devised, as the "Valiants" marched onwards.[1]

Travelling to Boundary Park on 15 November, they beat Oldham Athletic 1–0, taking themselves up into third place.[1] They dropped points during the Christmas period, though picked up a useful 4–1 win at Gresty Road on Boxing day.[1] Three points out of a possible eight in February allowed leaders Oldham to pull away from the chasing Vale.[1] In March Oldham and Grimsby Town struggled, and so Vale took advantage with six points from ten, conceding just three goals.[1] With six of the final nine games at home, and all of the chasing pack yet to visit Burslem, the omens seemed good for promotion.[1] Vale duly remained unbeaten until the season's end, however drawing five of these games proved not enough.[1] The 4 April encounter with Oldham proved to be the title decider, Vale had dominated the game but conceded a fatal equalizing goal on 86 minutes.[1] Two draws against strugglers Chester were also costly.[1] Nevertheless, they finished strongly, hammering Grimsby Town 4–0, Reg Potts scoring with a lob from 35 yards (32 m) out.[1]

They finished second, a single point away from top spot.[1] Steele's emphasis on teamwork had turned the team around, and earned the club its best finish since their relegation from the second tier in 1935–36.[1] Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was bettered only by Second Division Huddersfield Town.[1] Their tally of 58 points was second only to the club's extraordinary 1929–30 campaign.[1] Their main weakness was an average offence, though Hayward proved to be a revelation with 22 goals.[1]

On 4 May, Vale played Potteries derby rivals Stoke City, who had just been relegated from the First Division.[1] This Coronation Cup match ended in a 2–0 win for Stoke, with £1,053 raised for charity.[1]

On the financial side, a £1,676 profit was recorded.[1] This was due to a club record average attendance of 14,504 – which took gate receipts to £39,929 – and a £5,000 slash in the wage bill to £18,246.[1] For once the club did not sell its best players, and yet it also made a profit.[1] Steele was rewarded with a three-year contract.[1] He again kept on almost all of the squad, with two exceptions being Jimmy Todd (Wellington Town) and Norman Hallam (Halifax Town).[1]

In the FA Cup, Third Division South Exeter City were beaten 2–1. However, in the Second Round league leaders Oldham Athletic won 3–0 in front of a season best 25,398 crowd at Vale Park – 8,000 of them Oldham supporters.[1]