The 1965–66 season was Port Vale's 54th season of football in the Football League, and their first season (second overall) back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. For the first time in their Football League history they played three divisions below rivals Stoke City. Despite hope of a swift return to the third tier, the season instead proved a complete disaster, the club finishing nineteenth (87th of the 92 League clubs). The appointment of Stanley Matthews as general manager meant an adoption of a youth policy, which eventually saw four teenagers make their debut in one match, as well as the arrival of several Scottish youngsters.

On 19 July 1965, Stanley Matthews was appointed general manager to help his friend Jackie Mudie as manager. Matthews announced his policy of 'attracting and nurturing young footballers' and stressed the need for 'patience'. Matthews did not receive and did not request a contract. Though a massive lift for the club at the time, this development transpired to be a negative one for all involved, as Roy Sproson later explained that 'the club had their priorities wrong and the first team suffered badly, whilst Stan trusted people, who took advantage of him'. Most of the summer signings were youngsters, which also suited the club's directors, who had overseen massive losses over the past two seasons. In came Brian Taylor (£3,000 from Shrewsbury Town); winger Roger Smith (Walsall); Scottish inside-forwards John Cummings and Tommy Morrison (Aberdeen); as well as sixteen-year-old Scottish trialist winger Alex Donald. Matthews also initiated a series of trials for 700 boys.

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