Hope and heartbreak: Port Vale’s Season of Extremes
When Ben Waine’s shot found the back of the net against Sunderland, the noise told its own story - a club lifted out of a struggle and into something extraordinary for a moment. Port Vale marched through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, even as the realities of league football pressed heavily elsewhere.
“That stands out for me more than anything,” said BBC Radio Stoke commentator Phill Bowers. “Vale don't often beat teams at that level, not in recent years. The last comparable result was Everton back in 1996, so it was a big moment.”
That moment came in a season that would ultimately end in relegation. Port Vale’s 2025/26 campaign will be remembered not for one storyline, but two. A historic FA Cup run to the quarter-finals, and a league season that slipped away.
The campaign began with optimism among supporters. A competitive looking squad and a decent start, after being promoted back to League One. Many believed that a comfortable mid-table finish was on the cards for the Valiants.
“We started the season with real optimism about the squad and I genuinely expected a solid mid-table finish,” said Paul Bates, a Vale supporter.
Early performances suggested promise, but points were harder to come by. As defeats mounted, frustration replaced hope.
“We looked competitive in the early games, but didn’t get the rewards I thought we deserved,” the fan added. “That’s when it started to become frustrating.”
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While league form dipped, another competition soon transformed the mood around the club and with supporters.
The FA Cup: Escape, Belief and Big Nights:
From the first round, Port Vale’s FA Cup run carried a sense of intrigue. A tie against Malden & Tiptree drew national attention, not because of glamour but because of expectation.
”There was a lot of attention on that game and a feeling there could be an upset,” Bowers recalled. “Vale aren’t often expected to handle that situation - but they did, and I was glad of that.”
As the round progressed. The belief grew. After a five-one win in the first round, the victories became narrow, but the margins told their own story.
“People talk about the Cup performances being completely different,” Bowers said. “But a lot of the wins, in the Cup and the league, were narrow. One-nil against Bristol Rovers, Fleetwood, Bristol City and Sunderland. The margins were very similar.”
Psychologically, something changed.
”Maybe it's the one-off nature of the Cup,” he added. “That gives you an edge.”
Image from Joel Harrison. @Sportthroughalens_
For supporters these games were more than results, they were moments to savour.
”It showed we had the players to compete,” Paul said. “We just couldn’t do it consistently enough in the league.”
Relegation Reality
As the season wore on, relegation edged closer. For supporters, the emotional weight was heavy - but familiar.
”With relegation, there was a sense of ‘we’ve been here before. It hurt, but it wasn’t unfamiliar,” said Port Vale fan.
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The disappointment at the end could not be disguised.
Paul Bates said, “ultimately, the season ends in disappointment. Being relegated to League Two for the second time in two years is hard to take.”
And yet, the FA Cup journey offered something different.
“From Maldon & Tiptree, then four straight one-nil wins leading to the quarter-final against Chelsea - it was incredible. A real roller-coaster that you just wanted to be part of,” Paul added.
Image from Joel Harrison. @Sportthroughalens_
When Vale Park Came Alive
If one moment captured the revived spirit around the club, it was Arsenal’s visit to Vale Park.
”It has to be Arsenal at home,” the fan said. “Having Sky Sports there, playing in front of a capacity crowd. Even though the result didn’t go our way, we gave a really good account of ourselves. It’s one people will talk about for years.”
Image from Joel Harrison. @Sportthroughalens_
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National broadcasters arrived. The spotlight shifted. For a few weeks, Port Vale were no longer defined by their league position.
”There were real highlights, Cup days will live long in the memory,” said the Port Vale fan.
Two Seasons Happening at Once
For those closest to the club, the contrast between competition and league was impossible to ignore. As the voice of Vale on BBC Radio Stoke, Phil Bowers found himself switching tone from week to week, sometimes even midweek to weekend.
”The key is reflecting the mood of the supporters,” he explained. “Excitement in the Cup, frustration in the league. Fans want you to reflect how they feel.”
That meant embracing Cup nights while remaining grounded during league struggles.
”You praise when it's good and criticise when its not, that’s the job,” he said.
Image from Joel Harrison. @Sportthroughalens_
Behind the microphone, the balance was delicate, especially during a poor run of results.
”There’s often a gap between what fans think and what’s actually happening inside the club,” Bowers added. “Sometimes a player isn’t fit, hasn’t played for months, or is being managed - but that isn’t always public knowledge.”
”I think the players and staff understand how much it hurts. The owners especially- they’ve put so much time and money into the club over the last seven years.”
”We’ve been here before, and I think we're better prepared this time. With the support we travel away from home with, I’m confident we can bounce back,” said Paul Bates.