The side had finished as runners-up to Huddersfield Town in the 1923–24 season on goal average and had reached the 1925 FA Cup Final before being defeated 1–0 by Sheffield United.
"[4] Shortly before the start of the new season, the Football Association (FA) introduced changes to the offside rule that reduced the amount of defenders required between the attacker and goalkeeper from three to two.
More than 42,000 fans attended the fixture at Maine Road, the largest crowd Cardiff would play in front of all season,[8] as the two sides entered the final five minutes tied at 2–2.
Cardiff's captain, Jimmy Nelson became involved in a scuffle with an opposition forward and was subsequently shown a red card,[9][10] becoming the first player in the club's history to be sent off.
[10] A second defeat followed two days later, as Cardiff lost 3–1 to West Ham United,[8] with the Football Echo criticising the team by stating "they do not appear to have a fixed plan of campaign and they are not able in the circumstances to make profitable use of the advantages that should be theirs as a result of the alteration in the offside rule.
[8][13] However, the team soon entered a poor run of form, losing the return fixture against Tottenham 1–0 before being defeated by the same scoreline against league leaders Sunderland.
The club enjoyed a brief respite by defeating Bury 3–2 with goals from Joe Nicholson, Len Davies and Beadles,[8] although The Times noted it was "strange to find a team so good as Cardiff City so near the bottom of the table.
[8][16] The Football Echo described how the Cardiff side had struggled to adapt to the new offside law change, writing "there are players who forget what is required of them under the new conditions, and adhere to the old methods.
Blair, Keenor and Willie Davies were absent due to international call-ups and Harry Wake was dropped from the defensive side of the line-up and the changes proved significant as they defeated Aston Villa 2–0.
The arrival of Ferguson was seen as a coup, with the Football Echo writing that the signing "was regarded as a triumph for Mr Fred Stewart ... for prevailing upon the Scottish officials to part with their star player".
[19] A 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers began a much improved run of form for Cardiff who went on to win three of their five matches in December, led largely by the goals of Ferguson and Len Davies.
A 4–1 defeat away to Bury briefly interrupted form, but the club began a seven-match unbeaten run with a 2–0 win over Birmingham with goals from Ferguson and Len Davies.
[8] A goalless draw with Arsenal to end February and a victory over Aston Villa in March raised hopes that Cardiff had overcome their struggles to adapt to the new offside rule and the tactical changes it required.
[8][22] This form continued, with victories over Leicester City and third placed Sunderland and a goalless draw with Leeds beginning to ease Cardiff away from the relegation zone.
[8][26] A single goal by Ferguson secured victory over Newcastle on 3 April before consecutive 1–0 defeats to Sheffield United and Bolton ended the club's unbeaten run.
Ferguson scored his first hat-trick for the club on 17 April, helping Cardiff to a 4–2 win over Notts County, Keenor adding his side's fourth.
Billy Hardy scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw with Liverpool before Cardiff ended their campaign with away defeats to Manchester United and Burnley, finishing in 16th place.
[30] FW = Forward, HB = Halfback, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender Sources:[3][28] The team's struggles during the season led Stewart to reshape his squad at the end of the campaign.
[32] Several other players also left the club, including Herbie Evans, Alfie Hagan, Joe Hills, Lawson, Nicholson, Jack Page and Ebor Reed.