The 1933–34 season was Port Vale's 28th season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season (27th overall) in the Second Division. Finishing eighth in the second tier with 45 points, they would not reach such a peak again until 1996–97. It was their joint-second best ever finish after the 1930–31 season, along with the 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, and 1996–97 campaigns.

A strong defence and two lengthy series of good results raised belief and expectation of promotion to the top-flight for the first time in the club's history. However two runs of poor results dashed such hopes, resulting in what would be a downward slide that would last until the end of World War II. After pushing for promotion, the club's directors were forced to initiate a cull of players at the season's end.

The pre-season saw the arrival of ten new professionals, six of which were forwards. The most significant newcomers were Trevor Rhodes (Bradford Park Avenue), Jack Vickers (Charlton Athletic), as well as Ken Gunn and Billy Tabram (both from Swansea Town).

The season started excellently with ten wins in the opening fifteen matches. At the end of this run Sydney Dickinson was brought in from Bradford Park Avenue, though the Vale then went on to lose five of their next six matches, conceding sixteen goals and scoring just three. The slide was halted with a 1–0 Boxing day victory over Lincoln City in which top-scorer Tom Nolan became one of only two Vale players sent off in the period between 1918 and 1947. The result nevertheless kept the club within a point of the promotion places. This was supplemented by seven of a possible eight points in their next four games, including victories at The Dell and Valley Parade.

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