2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season
| 2004–05 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Valiant 2001 | |
| Chairman | Bill Bratt | |
| Manager | Martin Foyle | |
| Stadium | Vale Park | |
| Football League One | 18th (56 Points) | |
| FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Blackpool) | |
| League Cup | First Round (knocked out by Doncaster Rovers) | |
| Football League Trophy | Second Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers) | |
| Player of the Year | Billy Paynter | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Lee Matthews, Billy Paynter (10 each) All: Billy Paynter (13) | |
| Highest home attendance | 8,671 vs. Sheffield Wednesday, 28 December 2004 | |
| Lowest home attendance | 1,970 vs. Barnsley, 28 September 2004 | |
| Average home league attendance | 4,973 | |
| Biggest win | 5–0 vs. Barnsley, 23 April 2005 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–4 (twice) | |
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The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's 93rd season of football in the English Football League, and first in the newly created League One. It was Martin Foyle's first full season in charge after succeeding Brian Horton midway through the previous campaign. The club endured a relegation scrap but ultimately secured 18th place with 56 points, ensuring safety despite the loss of key performers Stephen McPhee and Steve Brooker over the summer.
Port Vale struggled to make an impact in cup competitions. They were eliminated in the First Round of the League Cup, suffered defeat to Blackpool in the Second Round of the FA Cup, and exited the Football League Trophy at the Second Round after a loss to Tranmere Rovers. On the field, Billy Paynter emerged as the club's top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions, while Lee Matthews also contributed ten league goals. One of the season's standout results was a 5–0 home win over Barnsley in April, although the campaign also featured heavy 4–0 losses on two occasions. Attendance remained low, with an average crowd of around 4,973, underscoring the ongoing financial challenges facing the club.