Throughout the history of the FA Cup, Vale have had their fair share of ups and downs.
Since the beginning, Vale have participated in over 260 games, spanning over 130 years and have won 108 games, drawn 61 and lost 94. The goal difference throughout history is positive as well, as Vale have scored 398 goals, and have conceded eighteen less.
The first cup run Vale participated in was not a short one. Just nine years after being founded, Vale set foot in the cup for the first time.
The first round saw Vale beat Chirk AAA FC 3-1 and successive wins against Ruabon Druids, Leek Town and Brentwood Town saw them win the fifth round of the cup.
The run in 1885 is still the longest run of games in the FA Cup, eight straight, Vale have had without defeat as it lasted until January 1887 after they lost to Leek Town.
Since then, their best cup run was in the 1953/54 season, when they reached the semi-finals after beating six teams that year. The first round saw a 3-1 win over Darlington but the second round needed a replay. Southport finished the first game a goal apiece but the second leg saw Vale through to the next round.
Beating Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City, Blackpool and Leyton Orient respectively, they made it to the Semi-finals. Unfortunately for the Valiants, they were unable to gain access to the final due to a 2-1 loss to West Bromwich, ending Vale’s longest winning streak in the competition to date.
The last win that the Valiants saw in the competition came last season. The first round of the cup saw Vale face off against Maidenhead United in the first round, with goals coming from Michael O’Connor and a brace from AJ Leitch-Smith, before suffering defeat in the next round.
Vale will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the cup this weekend as they face off against Stevenage, in the first round of the FA Cup.