1977–78 Port Vale F.C. season
| 1977–78 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Arthur McPherson | |
| Manager | Roy Sproson (until 31 October) Colin Harper (caretaker 31 October – 17 November) Bobby Smith (from 17 November) | |
| Stadium | Vale Park | |
| Football League Third Division | 21st (36 Points) | |
| FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Walsall) | |
| League Cup | First Round (knocked out by Preston North End) | |
| Player of the Year | Ken Beamish | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Ken Beamish (13) All: Ken Beamish (16) | |
| Highest home attendance | 7,051 vs. Walsall, 19 December 1977 | |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,220 vs. Hereford United, 22 March 1978 | |
| Average home league attendance | 3,947 | |
| Biggest win | 4–0 vs. Exeter City, 8 February 1978 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–3 (four games) and 1–4 | |
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The 1977–78 season was Port Vale's 66th season of football in the Football League, and their eighth successive season (14th overall) in the Third Division. A poor start led to the dismissal of long-standing manager Roy Sproson in October, followed by a brief caretaker spell by Colin Harper, before the appointment of Bobby Smith in mid‑November — though the managerial change failed to arrest the club's slide toward relegation. Vale finished 21st with 36 points, ensuring relegation to the Fourth Division.
Ken Beamish stood out as the club's league top scorer with 13 goals, and finished the season as overall top scorer with 16 in all competitions. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Second Round of the FA Cup, where they were eliminated by Walsall, and bowed out in the First Round of the League Cup. Support on the terraces remained modest: the average attendance was 3,947, with the highest home attendance of 7,051 coming against Walsall on 19 December 1977, and the lowest being 3,220 against Hereford United on 22 March 1978. The club's largest win was a 4–0 victory over Exeter City on 8 February 1978, while several three-goal losses marked their heaviest reversals.
A season of turmoil on and off the pitch culminated in Val's relegation, despite late efforts under Bobby Smith and dependable scoring from Ken Beamish.