1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Port Vale's 70th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (tenth overall) in the Fourth Division. manager John McGrath orchestrated a campaign of near-misses and notable performances.

The season began with four new signings — Ray Deakin, Geoff Hunter, Ernie Moss, and Jimmy Greenhoff — after an unsuccessful attempt to re-sign Brian Horton. Vale's pre-season got a major financial boost from a Motörhead concert at Vale Park that attracted 20,000 fans. The league campaign began with a club record six consecutive draws. After losing influential players to injury and adjusting formations, Vale briefly climbed to seventh after a run of four wins in five games — but then slumped following a televised 2–0 home loss to Sheffield United. They rebounded with a 15-match unbeaten league run (including six straight home draws from January to March). One remarkable game was a stunning 5–3 comeback win at Northampton Town after trailing 4–0 at half-time, with Greenhoff scoring the winner 11 minutes from time. Indeed, Mark Chamberlain scored a memorable goal there by stepping off the pitch to avoid being offside, then returning to tap the ball in — a moment that incensed the Mansfield Town manager.

Injuries continued to plague the squad — Johnny Miller retired, Mark Chamberlain played through a foot dislocation, and Terry Armstrong suffered mumps. A bizarre 50‑yard free‑kick concession by goalkeeper Mark Harrison, hit after several bounces, highlighted defensive fragility. On 1 May, Vale Park recorded its lowest-ever Football League attendance, 1,924 vs York City. They ended the season seventh in the Fourth Division with 70 points, 18 behind the final promotion place, following inconsistent form — "we blew it at Burslem", as McGrath put it. Ernie Moss was Player of the Year and finished top scorer with 17 league goals, while Mark Chamberlain, ever‑present throughout the 55‑game season, was named in the PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year and honored as The Star's best player of the division.

Financially, the campaign ended with a £65,000 loss despite substantial donations of £136,070, leaving the club with a £235,452 overdraft. In cup competitions, Vale progressed through a replayed FA Cup tie against Lincoln City and defeated Stockport County in the second replay, before losing narrowly to Shrewsbury Town in the Third Round. In the League Cup, they eliminated Hereford United on aggregate but were knocked out by Tranmere Rovers in the Second Round.

An eventful season of near-promotion, standout individual performances — especially from Moss and Chamberlain — financial strain, and a record attendance low capped off a campaign full of dramatic highs and frustrating lows.