# List of Port Vale F.C. seasons

Port Vale Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, who play in EFL League Two, as of the 2023–24 season. After becoming one of the more prominent football clubs in Staffordshire, Burslem Port Vale were invited to become founder members of the Football League Second Division in 1892. They spent 13 non-consecutive seasons in the division, punctuated by two seasons in the Midland League before they resigned due to financial difficulties and entered liquidation in 1907. The name of Port Vale continued in the North Staffordshire Federation League, and this new club were successful enough to be reinstated into the Football League in October 1919. They spent 16 non-consecutive seasons in the Second Division, punctuated by them winning the Third Division North title in 1929–30, before dropping back into the third tier for a much longer stay at the end of the 1935–36 campaign. The 1953–54 season saw manager Freddie Steele's "Iron Curtain" defence win both a Third Division North title and a semi-final place in the FA Cup. They failed to build on this success, however, though they went on to finish as champions of the first ever Fourth Division season under Norman Low's stewardship in 1958–59.
The club had little success throughout the 1960s and 1970s, despite being briefly managed by Stanley Matthews, and in fact, were forced to apply for re-election after breaking FA rules on illegal payments in 1968. Gordon Lee guided the club to promotion back to the Third Division the following season, where they would remain until relegation at the end of the 1977–78 campaign. John McGrath steered the club to promotion in 1982–83, though he departed after relegation became inevitable the following season. His assistant, John Rudge, became the club's longest-serving and most successful manager, leading the club from 1983 to 1999. Under his leadership Port Vale won promotions in 1985–86, 1988–89 and 1993–94, lifted the Football League Trophy in 1993 and reached a post-war record finish of eighth in the second tier in the 1996–97 season. After Rudge's reign ended, the club entered a decline, slipping into the fourth tier whilst twice entering administration in 2003 and 2012. The decline was arrested when Norman Smurthwaite brought the club out of administration in 2012 and manager Micky Adams achieved automatic promotion from League Two in the 2012–13 season, though they were relegated back into League Two at the end of the 2016–17 season after a failed experiment with a continental staff and playing style. Carol Shanahan bought the club in 2019 and manager Darrell Clarke secured promotion out of the League Two play-offs at the end of the 2021–22 season, though they were relegated back into League Two at the end of the 2023–24 season.
First-team matches were recorded for the first time in 1882, meaning records go back over 140 years. friendlies are not included in this data (including goal tallies). As of the 2024–25 season, Port Vale have never played top-flight football; they have spent 41 seasons in the second tier, 48 seasons in the third tier, 24 seasons in the fourth tier of the Football League, as well as 16 seasons in non-League football. No team has played more Football League seasons (113) without reaching the top-flight.

## Seasons

List of seasons, including league division and statistics, cup results, top scorer and average league attendance :
| Season | Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Competition | Result | Name | Goals | Average attendance |
| Season | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Top scorer | Top scorer | | Average attendance |
| 1882–83 | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | DNE | — | Staffordshire Cup NS Charity Cup | R2W | Enoch Hood | 2 | — |
| 1883–84 | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | Port Vale did not play league football | DNE | — | Staffordshire Cup | SF | Charles Simpson | 1 |
| Port Vale F.C. renamed to Burslem Port Vale F.C. |||||||||||||||||
| 1884–85 | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | DNE | — | Staffordshire Cup NS Charity Cup Burslem Cup | R2WW | Ernie Payne | 5 | — |
| 1885–86 | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | R5 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup NS Charity Cup | SFR3RU | Billy Reynolds | 7 | — |
| 1886–87 | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | R3 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | SFSF | Billy Reynolds | 11 | — |
| 1887–88 | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | 1Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R2R3 | n/a | — | — |
| 1888–89 | The Combination | 26 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 40 | 57 | 22 | | 2Q | — | Staffordshire Cup NS Charity Cup | R4SF | Jimmy Ditchfield | 8 | 2,200 |
| 1889–90 | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | Burslem Port Vale did not play league football | 2Q | — | Staffordshire Cup | SF | Frank McGinnes | 2 | — |
| 1890–91 | Midland League | 24 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 59 | 49 | 25 | 8th | 2Q | — | Staffordshire Cup NS Charity Cup | R2W | Frank McGinnes | 19 | 1,429 |
| 1891–92 | Midland League | 21 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 52 | 33 | 25 | 3rd | 1Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup S Charity Cup | R1SFW | Frank McGinnes | 19 | 1,394 |
| 1892–93 | Second Division | 22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 30 | 57 | 15 | 11th | 1Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R2R1 | Meshach Dean | 6 | 1,344 |
| 1893–94 | Second Division | 28 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 66 | 64 | 30 | 7th | 1Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R2R2 | Billy Beats | 20 | 2,185 |
| 1894–95 | Second Division | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 39 | 77 | 18 | 15th | 1Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R2R2 | Meshach Dean | 8 | 1,367 |
| 1895–96 | Second Division | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 43 | 78 | 18 | 14th | 2Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R1R1 | Ernest Beckett | 8 | 1,771 |
| Burslem Port Vale failed re-election to the Football League and instead entered the Midland League. |||||||||||||||||
| 1896–97 | Midland League | 28 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 64 | 56 | 31 | 7th | 5Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup Wellingboro' Cup S Charity Cup | R1PSFW | Dick Evans Danny Simpson | 14 | 967 |
| 1897–98 | Midland League | 22 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 46 | 32 | 23 | 5th | R2 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R2W | Dick Evans Danny Simpson | 11 | 1,400 |
| Burslem Port Vale won re-election back into the Football League. |||||||||||||||||
| 1898–99 | Second Division | 34 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 56 | 34 | 39 | 9th | 5Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | RURU | James Peake | 17 | 4,500 |
| 1899–1900 | Second Division | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 39 | 49 | 34 | 11th | 5Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | RURU | Howard Harvey | 17 | 1,518 |
| 1900–01 | Second Division | 34 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 45 | 47 | 33 | 9th | R1 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | QFQF | Adrian Capes | 11 | 2,087 |
| 1901–02 | Second Division | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 43 | 59 | 29 | 12th | 5Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | SFSF | Adrian Capes | 20 | 2,931 |
| 1902–03 | Second Division | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 57 | 62 | 34 | 9th | 4Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup Bass Charity Vase | R1R1R1 | Adrian Capes | 18 | 2,250 |
| 1903–04 | Second Division | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 54 | 52 | 29 | 13th | R1 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | R1R1 | Adrian Capes | 17 | 2,250 |
| 1904–05 | Second Division | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 47 | 72 | 27 | 16th | 6Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | SFR1 | Dick Allman | 8 | 2,536 |
| 1905–06 | Second Division | 38 | 12 | 4 | 22 | 49 | 82 | 28 | 17th | R1 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | SFSF | Harry Mountford | 15 | 3,200 |
| 1906–07 | Second Division | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 60 | 83 | 31 | 16th | R2 | — | Staffordshire Cup | SF | Billy Beats | 15 | 4,147 |
| Burslem Port Vale F.C. liquidated and reformed as Port Vale F.C. |||||||||||||||||
| 1907–08 | North Staffordshire Federation League | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 28 | 19 | 5th | DNE | — | May Bank NS League Cup | R2R6 | Bert Beech | 11 | 600 |
| 1908–09 | North Staffordshire & District League | 26 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 57 | 51 | 25 | 8th | DNE | — | Staffs Junior Cup Hanley Cup May Bank Burslem Cup | R1R2R2R2 | Bert Beech | 17 | — |
| 1909–10 | North Staffordshire & District League | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 89 | 25 | 43 | 1st | DNE | — | Staffs Junior Cup Hanley Cup May Bank Burslem Cup | WRUR3R2 | Joe Brough | 43 | 5,250 |
| 1910–11 | North Staffordshire & District League | 26 | 14 | 3 | 9 | 50 | 41 | 31 | 4th | DNE | — | Staffs Junior Cup Hanley Cup May Bank Burslem Cup NS Nursing Cup | R3R3R3R2SF | J. Tunnicliffe | 11 | 7,000 |
| 1911–12 | The Central League | 32 | 15 | 12 | 5 | 46 | 23 | 42 | 2nd | DNE | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | SFW | Frank Cannon | 18 | 5,346 |
| 1912–13 | The Central League | 38 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 55 | 38 | 45 | 4th | 3Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | WR1 | Eli Adams | 20 | 5,500 |
| 1913–14 | The Central League | 38 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 78 | 62 | 45 | 4th | R1 | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup | RUR1 | Chris Young | 37 | 9,348 |
| 1914–15 | The Central League | 38 | 25 | 3 | 10 | 84 | 42 | 53 | 3rd | 5Q | — | Birmingham Cup Staffordshire Cup NS Infirmary Cup | R3SFW | Chris Young | 40 | 7,250 |
| No competitive football was played in the 1914–1915 season due to the First World War. |||||||||||||||||
| 1916–17 | Lancashire Section | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 50 | 40 | 21 | 15th | — | — | Subsidiary | 12th | Jack Needham | 12 | 5,386 |
| 1917–18 | Lancashire Section | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 47 | 55 | 26 | 11th | — | — | Subsidiary | 14th | David Bowcock | 7 | 3,507 |
| 1918–19 | Lancashire Section | 30 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 39 | 78 | 24 | 12th | — | — | Subsidiary | 4th | Harry Howell | 9 | 5,772 |
| Port Vale were elected to the Football League in October 1919, taking on Leeds City's league record and remaining fixtures mid-season. |||||||||||||||||
| 1919–20 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 59 | 62 | 40 | 13th | R1 | — | Staffordshire Cup NS Infirmary Cup | WW | Bobby Blood | 26 | 11,247 |
| 1920–21 | Second Division | 42 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 43 | 49 | 36 | 17th | 6Q | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Bobby Blood | 20 | 14,143 |
| 1921–22 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 43 | 57 | 36 | 18th | R1 | — | NS Infirmary Cup | W | Tom Page | 10 | 11,619 |
| 1922–23 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 39 | 51 | 37 | 17th | 5Q | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Tom Butler | 9 | 10,204 |
| 1923–24 | Second Division | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 50 | 66 | 38 | 16th | 5Q | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Billy Briscoe Tom Page | 10 | 8,489 |
| 1924–25 | Second Division | 42 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 48 | 56 | 42 | 8th | R1 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 33 | 10,769 |
| 1925–26 | Second Division | 42 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 79 | 69 | 44 | 8th | R3 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 35 | 10,739 |
| 1926–27 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 88 | 78 | 45 | 8th | R4 | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Wilf Kirkham | 41 | 10,736 |
| 1927–28 | Second Division | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 68 | 57 | 44 | 9th | R5 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 14 | 11,127 |
| 1928–29 | Second Division↓ | 42 | 15 | 4 | 23 | 71 | 86 | 34 | 21st | R3 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 15 | 10,207 |
| 1929–30 | Third Division North↑ | 42 | 30 | 7 | 5 | 103 | 37 | 67 | 1st | R2 | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Sam Jennings | 21 | 9,176 |
| 1930–31 | Second Division | 42 | 21 | 5 | 16 | 67 | 61 | 47 | 5th | R4 | — | — | — | Sam Jennings | 17 | 10,445 |
| 1931–32 | Second Division | 42 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 58 | 89 | 33 | 20th | R4 | — | NS Infirmary Cup | RU | Tom Nolan | 11 | 9,564 |
| 1932–33 | Second Division | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 66 | 79 | 38 | 17th | R3 | — | — | — | Wilf Kirkham | 15 | 8,876 |
| 1933–34 | Second Division | 42 | 19 | 7 | 16 | 60 | 55 | 45 | 8th | R3 | — | Welsh Cup | SF | Tom Nolan | 22 | 10,051 |
| 1934–35 | Second Division | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 55 | 74 | 34 | 18th | R3 | — | — | — | Tom Nolan | 16 | 8,463 |
| 1935–36 | Second Division↓ | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 56 | 106 | 32 | 21st | R4 | — | — | — | Jack Roberts | 12 | 7,787 |
| 1936–37 | Third Division North | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 58 | 64 | 44 | 11th | R3 | — | Northern Cup | SF | Tommy Ward | 18 | 7,298 |
| 1937–38 | Third Division North | 42 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 65 | 73 | 38 | 15th | R1 | — | Northern Cup | R1 | Jack Roberts | 28 ♦ | 6,716 |
| 1938–39 | Third Division South | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 52 | 58 | 37 | 18th | R2 | — | Southern Cup | SF | Tom Nolan | 17 | 7,587 |
| 1939–40 | Third Division South Western Region | 2 22 | 0 10 | 1 2 | 1 10 | 0 52 | 1 56 | 1 22 | 22nd 8th | — | — | FL War Cup Staffordshire Cup | P R1 | Jack Roberts | 13 | 2,568 |
| No competitive football was played between 1940 and 1944 due to the Second World War. |||||||||||||||||
| 1944–45 | FL North 1 FL North 2 | 18 21 | 5 5 | 2 2 | 11 14 | 22 27 | 36 60 | 12 12 | 46th 54th | — | — | FL North Cup Midland Cup | 48th P | Alf Bellis | 10 | 5,969 |
| 1945–46 | Third Division (South) North | 20 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 25 | 24 | 3rd | R3 | — | FL North Cup | 8th | Bill Pointon | 19 | 7,212 |
| 1946–47 | Third Division South | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 68 | 63 | 43 | 10th | R4 | — | — | — | Morris Jones | 26 | 10,582 |
| 1947–48 | Third Division South | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 63 | 54 | 43 | 8th | R1 | — | — | — | Ronnie Allen | 13 | 13,569 |
| 1948–49 | Third Division South | 42 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 51 | 54 | 39 | 13th | R1 | — | — | — | Walter Aveyard | 13 | 12,069 |
| 1949–50 | Third Division South | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 47 | 42 | 41 | 13th | R4 | — | — | — | Cliff Pinchbeck | 16 | 12,983 |
| 1950–51 | Third Division South | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 60 | 65 | 45 | 12th | R3 | — | — | — | Cliff Pinchbeck | 19 | 10,832 |
| 1951–52 | Third Division South | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 50 | 66 | 43 | 13th | R1 | — | — | — | Albert Mullard | 13 | 11,225 |
| 1952–53 | Third Division North | 46 | 20 | 18 | 8 | 67 | 35 | 58 | 2nd | R2 | — | Coronation Cup | RU | Basil Hayward | 22 | 14,504 |
| 1953–54 | Third Division North↑ | 46 | 26 | 17 | 3 | 74 | 21 | 69 | 1st | SF | — | — | — | Basil Hayward | 25 | 16,653 |
| 1954–55 | Second Division | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 48 | 71 | 35 | 17th | R4 | — | — | — | Cyril Done | 13 | 20,869 |
| 1955–56 | Second Division | 42 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 58 | 45 | 12th | R4 | — | — | — | Len Stephenson | 14 | 18,985 |
| 1956–57 | Second Division↓ | 42 | 8 | 6 | 28 | 57 | 101 | 22 | 22nd | R3 | — | — | — | Cyril Done | 9 | 14,046 |
| 1957–58 | Third Division South | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 67 | 58 | 42 | 15th | R2 | — | — | — | Stan Steele | 22 | 10,457 |
| The Third Division North and Third Division South were reorganised into the Third Division and Fourth Division. |||||||||||||||||
| 1958–59 | Fourth Division↑ | 42 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 110 | 58 | 64 | 1st | R1 | — | — | — | Stan Steele | 22 | 12,757 |
| 1959–60 | Third Division | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 80 | 79 | 46 | 14th | R5 | — | Supporters' Club | RU | Graham Barnett | 17 | 10,733 |
| 1960–61 | Third Division | 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 96 | 79 | 49 | 7th | R3 | R2 | Supporters' Club | W | Cliff Portwood | 26 | 9,702 |
| 1961–62 | Third Division | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 65 | 58 | 45 | 12th | R5 | R1 | — | — | Bert Llewellyn Arthur Longbottom | 20 | 8,993 |
| 1962–63 | Third Division | 46 | 23 | 8 | 17 | 72 | 58 | 54 | 3rd | R4 | R2 | — | — | Tony Richards | 13 | 8,130 |
| 1963–64 | Third Division | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 53 | 49 | 46 | 13th | R4 | R2 | — | — | Tony Richards | 13 | 10,056 |
| 1964–65 | Third Division↓ | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 41 | 76 | 32 | 22nd | R2 | R1 | — | — | Albert Cheesebrough | 7 | 5,508 |
| 1965–66 | Fourth Division | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 48 | 59 | 39 | 19th | R3 | R1 | — | — | John Rowland | 23 | 6,015 |
| 1966–67 | Fourth Division | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 55 | 58 | 43 | 13th | R2 | R1 | — | — | Mick Cullerton | 12 | 5,114 |
| 1967–68 | Fourth Division | 46 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 61 | 72 | 39 | 18th | R1 | R2 | — | — | Roy Chapman | 25 | 4,886 |
| 1968–69 | Fourth Division | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 13th | R3 | R1 | — | — | Roy Chapman | 12 | 4,361 |
| 1969–70 | Fourth Division↑ | 46 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 61 | 33 | 59 | 4th | R2 | R1 | — | — | John James | 17 | 6,894 |
| 1970–71 | Third Division | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 52 | 59 | 42 | 17th | R1 | R1 | — | — | John James | 15 | 5,437 |
| 1971–72 | Third Division | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 43 | 59 | 41 | 15th | R3 | R1 | — | — | Bobby Gough | 10 | 4,366 |
| 1972–73 | Third Division | 46 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 56 | 69 | 53 | 6th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Sammy Morgan Ray Williams | 11 | 5,429 |
| 1973–74 | Third Division | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 52 | 58 | 42 | 20th | R3 | R1 | — | — | John Woodward | 18 | 3,959 |
| 1974–75 | Third Division | 46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 61 | 54 | 51 | 6th | R1 | R1 | — | — | Terry Bailey Ray Williams | 14 | 4,346 |
| 1975–76 | Third Division | 46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 55 | 54 | 46 | 12th | R2 | R1 | — | — | Mick Cullerton | 21 | 4,133 |
| 1976–77 | Third Division | 46 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 47 | 71 | 38 | 19th | R5 | R1 | Debenhams Cup | RU | Ken Beamish | 18 | 4,356 |
| 1977–78 | Third Division↓ | 46 | 8 | 20 | 18 | 46 | 67 | 36 | 21st | R2 | R1 | — | — | Ken Beamish | 16 | 3,947 |
| 1978–79 | Fourth Division | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 57 | 70 | 42 | 16th | R1 | R1 | — | — | Bernie Wright | 15 | 3,287 |
| 1979–80 | Fourth Division | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 56 | 70 | 36 | 20th | R1 | R1 | — | — | Neville Chamberlain | 11 | 3,462 |
| 1980–81 | Fourth Division | 46 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 57 | 70 | 39 | 19th | R3 | R1 | — | — | Neville Chamberlain | 13 | 2,738 |
| 1981–82 | Fourth Division | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 56 | 49 | 70 | 7th | R3 | R2 | — | — | Ernie Moss | 17 | 3,639 |
| 1982–83 | Fourth Division↑ | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 67 | 34 | 88 | 3rd | R1 | R1 | — | — | Robert Newton | 20 | 4,806 |
| 1983–84 | Third Division↓ | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 51 | 83 | 43 | 23rd | R1 | R2 | Members' Cup | R2 | Eamonn O'Keefe | 11 | 4,023 |
| 1984–85 | Fourth Division | 46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 61 | 59 | 60 | 12th | R3 | R2 | Members' Cup | R2 | Alistair Brown | 21 | 3,267 |
| 1985–86 | Fourth Division↑ | 46 | 21 | 16 | 9 | 67 | 37 | 79 | 4th | R2 | R2 | Members' Cup | ASF | Andy Jones | 18 | 3,581 |
| 1986–87 | Third Division | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 76 | 70 | 57 | 12th | R2 | R2 | Members' Cup | AQF | Andy Jones | 37 ♦ | 3,312 |
| 1987–88 | Third Division | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 58 | 56 | 65 | 11th | R5 | R1 | Members' Cup | R1 | Darren Beckford David Riley | 10 | 3,847 |
| 1988–89 | Third Division↑ | 46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 78 | 48 | 84 | 3rd | R3 | R2 | Members' Cup Play-offs | P W | Darren Beckford | 23 | 6,731 |
| 1989–90 | Second Division | 46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 62 | 57 | 61 | 11th | R4 | R2 | Members' Cup | R2 | Darren Beckford | 21 | 8,978 |
| 1990–91 | Second Division | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 56 | 64 | 57 | 15th | R4 | R2 | Members' Cup | R1 | Darren Beckford | 23 | 8,092 |
| 1991–92 | Second Division↓ | 46 | 10 | 15 | 27 | 42 | 59 | 45 | 24th | R3 | R3 | Members' Cup | R2 | Martin Foyle | 16 | 7,382 |
| The creation of the Premier League resulted in the First Division, Second Division and Third Division becoming the second, third and fourth tier respectively |||||||||||||||||
| 1992–93 | Second Division | 46 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 79 | 44 | 89 | 3rd | R3 | R1 | FL Trophy Play-offs | WRU | Ian Taylor | 19 | 8,092 |
| 1993–94 | Second Division↑ | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 79 | 46 | 88 | 2nd | R4 | R1 | FL Trophy | AQF | Martin Foyle | 18 | 8,377 |
| 1994–95 | First Division | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 17th | R2 | R2 | — | — | Martin Foyle | 20 | 9,218 |
| 1995–96 | First Division | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 59 | 66 | 60 | 12th | R5 | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | RU | Tony Naylor | 12 | 8,217 |
| 1996–97 | First Division | 46 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 58 | 55 | 67 | 8th | R3 | R3 | — | — | Tony Naylor | 20 | 7,840 |
| 1997–98 | First Division | 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 56 | 55 | 49 | 19th | R3 | R1 | — | — | Lee Mills | 16 | 8,263 |
| 1998–99 | First Division | 46 | 13 | 8 | 25 | 45 | 75 | 47 | 21st | R3 | R1 | — | — | Martin Foyle | 9 | 6,991 |
| 1999–2000 | First Division↓ | 46 | 7 | 15 | 24 | 48 | 69 | 36 | 23rd | R3 | R1 | — | — | Tony Rougier | 9 | 5,906 |
| 2000–01 | Second Division | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 55 | 49 | 62 | 11th | R1 | R1 | FL Trophy | W | Tony Naylor | 21 | 4,458 |
| 2001–02 | Second Division | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 51 | 62 | 58 | 14th | R2 | R2 | FL Trophy | AQF | Stephen McPhee | 14 | 5,210 |
| 2002–03 | Second Division | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 54 | 70 | 53 | 17th | R1 | R1 | FL Trophy | AQF | Marc Bridge-Wilkinson | 9 | 4,436 |
| 2003–04 | Second Division | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 73 | 62 | 73 | 7th | R2 | R1 | FL Trophy | AR1 | Stephen McPhee | 27 ♦ | 5,810 |
| The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed as the Championship, League One and League Two respectively. |||||||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | League One | 46 | 17 | 5 | 24 | 49 | 59 | 56 | 18th | R2 | R1 | FL Trophy | AR2 | Billy Paynter | 13 | 4,973 |
| 2005–06 | League One | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 49 | 54 | 60 | 13th | R4 | R1 | FL Trophy | AR2 | Leon Constantine | 12 | 4,666 |
| 2006–07 | League One | 46 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 64 | 65 | 60 | 12th | R2 | R4 | FL Trophy | AR2 | Leon Constantine | 26 | 4,726 |
| 2007–08 | League One↓ | 46 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 47 | 81 | 38 | 23rd | R2 | R1 | FL Trophy | P | Luke Rodgers | 12 | 4,417 |
| 2008–09 | League Two | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 44 | 66 | 48 | 18th | R2 | R1 | FL Trophy | R1 | Marc Richards | 11 | 5,522 |
| 2009–10 | League Two | 46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 61 | 50 | 68 | 10th | R2 | R3 | FL Trophy | R3 | Marc Richards | 23 | 4,939 |
| 2010–11 | League Two | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 54 | 49 | 65 | 11th | R3 | R2 | FL Trophy | R2 | Marc Richards | 20 | 5,533 |
| 2011–12 | League Two | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 68 | 60 | 59 | 12th | R1 | R1 | FL Trophy | R1 | Marc Richards | 17 | 4,820 |
| 2012–13 | League Two↑ | 46 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 87 | 52 | 78 | 3rd | R2 | R1 | FL Trophy | R3 | Tom Pope | 33 ♦ | 5,727 |
| 2013–14 | League One | 46 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 59 | 73 | 61 | 9th | R4 | R1 | FL Trophy | R2 | Tom Pope | 16 | 6,249 |
| 2014–15 | League One | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 55 | 65 | 54 | 18th | R1 | R2 | FL Trophy | R2 | Tom Pope | 12 | 5,290 |
| 2015–16 | League One | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 56 | 58 | 65 | 12th | R2 | R2 | FL Trophy | R2 | A-Jay Leitch-Smith | 12 | 4,993 |
| 2016–17 | League One↓ | 46 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 45 | 70 | 49 | 21st | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | GS | Alex Jones | 10 | 4,813 |
| 2017–18 | League Two | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 49 | 67 | 47 | 20th | R1 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R2 | Tom Pope | 19 | 4,583 |
| 2018–19 | League Two | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 40 | 54 | 52 | 20th | R1 | R1 | EFL Trophy | QF | Tom Pope | 14 | 4,431 |
| 2019–20 | League Two | 37 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 50 | 44 | 57 | 8th | R3 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R3 | Tom Pope | 10 | 4,862 |
| 2020–21 | League Two | 46 | 17 | 9 | 20 | 57 | 57 | 60 | 13th | R1 | R2 | EFL Trophy | R3 | Devante Rodney | 12 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | League Two↑ | 46 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 67 | 46 | 78 | 5th | R3 | R2 | EFL Trophy Play-offs | R2 W | James Wilson | 15 | 6,103 |
| 2022–23 | League One | 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 48 | 71 | 49 | 18th | R1 | R1 | EFL Trophy | R3 | Ellis Harrison | 11 | 7,681 |
| 2023–24 | League One↓ | 46 | 10 | 11 | 25 | 41 | 74 | 41 | 23rd | R2 | QF | EFL Trophy | R2 | Ben Garrity | 12 | 6,600 |