Season ticket
The pre-season saw John Rudge follow up a recommendation by signing young Irish forward Derek Swan from Bohemians for £15,000. Meanwhile, more than £250,000 was taken in by the club from season-ticket sales. Much of this went on improving Vale Park, with 3,750 yellow and white seats fitted in the Railway Paddock, and 1,121 seats added to the upper tier of the Bycars End. The Bycars End roof was removed for safety reasons, whilst a police box was constructed between the Railway Paddock and the Hamil End. Admission rates increased to £5 for a terrace place, £6 for a seat in the Paddock and £7 in the stand. Season tickets ranged between £75 and £105. With police bills set to spiral upwards, a record five-figure shirt sponsorship deal was struck with Kalamazoo (a business systems company). A 25,000 seater stadium was planned for Festival Park, however Chairman Bill Bell was 'frightened to death by the cost', and the plans were binned.