The 2013–14 season was Port Vale's 102nd season of football in the Football League, and first season back in League One, following their promotion from League Two. Avoiding relegation was the aim set in pre-season, as the club had one of the lowest six budgets in the division.

The club enjoyed kind draws and a good run in the FA Cup, reaching the Fourth Round, where they were knocked out by Brighton & Hove Albion. They exited the League Cup at the first Round, with Walsall the victors. They reached the Second Round of the League Trophy, losing out to Rochdale. The club overstretched itself financially, meaning that as they lay outside the play-offs in January manager Micky Adams could only sign largely untried youngsters on loan whilst releasing higher paid players either on free transfers or on loan. Their promotion push fell away but they ended the season in ninth place – far exceeding their original aim.

Despite steady progress on the pitch, avoidable issues off the pitch continued to plague the club. Micky Adams was not offered a new contract until right at the end of the season, meaning that the season ended with the manager and most of the playing staff out of contract. The club also hit the headlines in April after Daniel Jones was sacked for attacking captain Doug Loft during a training ground session.

Manager Micky Adams' first signing of the season was winger Kaid Mohamed, who stepped up to League One from League Two play-off semi-finalists Cheltenham Town; he was seen as a replacement for departing left-winger Ashley Vincent. Also joining the club were Preston North End defender Chris Robertson, Southend United forward Gavin Tomlin, and Sheffield Wednesday central midfielder Chris Lines.Liam Dickinson joined the Vale on trial for the second summer in a row, and again left without a contract after failing to prove his fitness. Adams, known for his gruelingly tough pre-season workouts, did not disappoint and left his players exhausted following their trip to Ireland. Following the trip, Anthony Griffith re-joined the club after securing his exit from League One rivals Leyton Orient.Mathias Kouo-Doumbé, Paul Reid and Ben Parker joined the club on trial, as Vale desperately needed more defensive cover. However the sixth signing of the summer was revealed as former Stoke City left-back Carl Dickinson, who secured his release form Watford in order to join the Vale. Chairman Norman Smurthwaite then told fans that there were to be no new signings as the club's wage bill was now up to 60 per cent of turnover – the maximum allowed under the Football League's new Financial Fair Play rule.

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