1996–97 Port Vale F.C. season
| 1996–97 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Bill Bell | ||
| Manager | John Rudge | ||
| Stadium | Vale Park | ||
| Football League First Division | 8th (67 Points) | ||
| FA Cup | Third Round (knocked out by Blackburn Rovers) | ||
| League Cup | Third Round (knocked out by Oxford United) | ||
| Player of the Year | Lee Mills | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Tony Naylor (17) All: Tony Naylor (20) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 15,186 vs. Bradford City, 28 January 1997 | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 3,505 vs. Carlisle United, 17 September 1996 | ||
| Average home league attendance | 7,840 | ||
| Biggest win | 6–1 vs. Norwich City, 21 December 1996 | ||
| Biggest defeat | 0–3 (twice) | ||
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The 1996–97 season was Port Vale's 85th season of football in the English Football League, and third successive season in the First Division. Despite early turbulence, including fan protests against chairman Bill Bell and the high-profile sale of Steve Guppy to Leicester City for £800,000, Vale secured a highly respectable 8th‑place finish, marking their best post-war league position.
Leading the scoring charts was Tony Naylor, who notched 20 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as the club's top scorer for the season. Lee Mills also made a substantial contribution, scoring 15 goals and earning the Player of the Year honours for his efforts. Vale Park remained busy, with a deep run in cup competitions and numerous standout performances. Nonetheless, the league campaign showcased a squad that blended attacking flair with resilience amid turbulence. Contributions from stalwarts like Jon McCarthy, Andy Porter, Steve Guppy, and Martin Foyle added depth and consistency throughout the season.
Vale's 1996–97 campaign was a triumph of resilience and ambition — as manager John Rudge weathered boardroom uncertainty and player exits to deliver an outstanding 8th‑place finish powered by prolific form from Naylor and Mills.