Four seasons later, after successive relegations – the second propelled by a points deduction for administration – they were fighting twice consecutively against falling into the Conference, whence Oxford were scrambling back.
Vale's chances were effectively ended last season once they had suffered their 10-point deduction following administration.
That figure is nearly $5,000 more than the $24,000 standard deduction the administration is touting.
Burton, who came into the League in 2009 as Luton fell out of it with a third relegation in three years, two with points deductions for administration, have a reputation second to none – a role model in miniature as others above, from Fifa down through the FA, Premier League, clubs, chairmen, managers and players, have failed one way or another in their responsibility to the game.
On top of the mortgage deduction, the Clinton administration and a Republican Congress added another break in 1997, in the name of encouraging home ownership.
Bradford – who are still waiting for a date for their appeal against a six-point deduction for entering administration – had trailed just 12-10 four minutes from the break, with Danny Addy and Jamie Foster having traded tries with Joe Wardle and Shaun Lunt.
Before a ball was kicked this season Leeds had their own cause to carry courtesy of a 15-point deduction for entering administration and that perceived injustice hardened when their appeal was recently rejected.
Saints might have started the League One season with a 10-point deduction, having entered administration, but the minimum pre-agreed aim with Pardew is the play-offs and there is no romance in the boardroom about reaching a fifth-round tie like today's - or the Johnstone's Paint final against Carlisle at Wembley.
Much like Blackpool, the Quakers began 2009-10 unsure about the season ahead after a summer spent building a team from scratch – the previous season they had finished 12th, and would have been in the play-offs had they not suffered a 10-point deduction for entering administration, but raft of players had departed.
Dunfermline suffered a 15-point deduction after entering administration.
