Watching from the stands at Vale Park, the overriding feeling was disappointment for James Gibbons. In a decisive game in the race for League Two promotion in April, his Port Vale were beaten by Bristol Rovers. Gasheads were starting to believe and Vale were starting to fret.
Ultimately, everyone ended that season happy with Port Vale triumphing in the play-offs, but after Ryan Loft made sure of three precious points for the Gas, something stuck with Gibbons. "It looked like a good place to be," he says, recalling the connection that was apparent between the players and fans of a blue and white persuasion at full time.
"Watching that game for Port Vale, Rovers were the best team we played at Vale Park that season. Not many teams outplayed us at Vale Park last season, so it did stick with me.
