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In preparation for the new Midland League campaign, Burslem Port Vale signed winger Jimmy Scarratt from Wellington St. George's and prepared a new kit of red jerseys with grey kickers – the uniforms were made by Mrs Danks, the secretary's wife.[1] They failed to bring good fortune in the opening league game however, a 3–2 defeat at home to Burton Wanderers.[1] After the game the club also signed a new outside-right, G McHarg.[1] Though he had little impact on the first-team, they managed to record a 7–1 victory over Loughborough Town, with Frank McGinnes claiming a hat-trick.[1] They followed this with a 4–0 win over Doncaster Rovers, despite McGinnis missing the first ever penaltyshot awarded at the Athletic Ground and McHarg being criticised for over-dribbling.[1] The team settled into their usual pattern of winning at home but losing away, losing on the road five times whilst winning all but one of their remaining home fixtures.[1] The first run to end was their away form, as they won 2–1 at Loughborough Town and then won their final two away matches.[1] The turn around in away form, coupled with continuing home victories, took the club from ninth (of eleven teams) in January to third by the end of the season.[1] Alarmingly though only 150 spectators turned out to witness the final day victory over Leicester Fosse on 28 April, causing the club to make a loss on the game after marketing costs were deducted.[1]Potteries derby rivals Stoke meanwhile were keen to take McGinnis to the Football League First Division, but Vale resisted all attempts to sign him, rejecting a bid of £30.[1]
Cup competitions
Vale failed to transfer their league form to the FA Cup, bowing out at the first qualification round after losing 4–2 to Burton Wanderers.[1] They entered the Birmingham Senior Cup, but faced tough opposition in Aston Villa in the first round and were beaten 5–2.[1] They fared better in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, avenging Burton Wanderers with a 4–0 victory despite a slow start to the game.[1] In the next round they overcame Walsall Town Swifts after a replay, but fell to a 4–1 defeat to Burton Swifts in the semi-finals.[1] They managed to end the season by taking home the North Staffordshire Challenge Cup outright, beating Stoke 2–0 despite McGinnis being sent off for "foul charging".[1]
^ abcdefghijklmnopKent, Jeff (1990). "Trying to make the Grade (1888-1898)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 26–50. ISBN0-9508981-4-7.