The 2019-20 campaign was a season of vital re-establishment for Port Vale, ending with The Valiants finishing a respectable 8th in League Two, agonizingly close to the play-offs when the season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the fresh ownership of Carol Shanahan and the guidance of manager John Askey, the year was defined by a renewed sense of purpose and a thrilling, unbeaten run in February that briefly propelled them into the play-off spots. The attack was anchored by the enduring club hero Tom Pope, whose 10 goals in all competitions included a memorable strike against Premier League champions Manchester City in a hard-fought FA Cup Third Round glamour tie, alongside the six crucial league goals scored by both Pope and new forward Richie Bennett. This turbulent, unfinished year, decided ultimately by a points-per-game basis, marked a significant and hopeful step forward in the club's modern history.