Another disappointing campaign marred by financial problems and personnel changes saw the Saints finishing 19th in the Second Division league table, equalling their worst performance in the flight set just two seasons previously in 1934–35.

Southampton finished the campaign with 11 wins, 12 draws and 19 losses in the league, which was exactly the same tally as 1934–35, but even closer to the relegation zone with just four points more than Bradford City in 21st place – the first demotion spot.

[6] The highlight of the summer signings, however, came in July when Irish centre-forward Jimmy Dunne moved to Southampton from top-flight side Arsenal, who had paid a near-record £8,000 for the high-scoring attacker a few seasons previously.

[7] Also leaving that summer were Jack Gurry to Chester City, who had joined alongside Watson the previous year, but not secured a place in the first team;[9] inside-forward Walter Pollard, who transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion but made no appearances and soon retired from the professional game;[10] captain Bill Adams to West Ham United, wrapping up a ten-year stint at the club;[11] and half-back Arthur Bradford, who had spent his entire professional playing career with the South Coast club, earning him two official testimonial matches.

[12] Signings continued just before the start of the league campaign – in August, the club brought in two new Scottish players, Bill Kennedy and Bobby Whitelaw, from Crewe Alexandra and Albion Rovers, respectively.

[14] In September, Stan Woodhouse wrapped up his 12-year Saints career when he joined Basingstoke Town for a final year as a player, before moving into coaching (which later brought him back to Southampton).

[3] In March 1937, Goss resigned as Southampton secretary-manager (McIlwaine had already stepped back from his assistant-manager role) and the club brought in former player Tom Parker as his replacement, having reportedly chosen him from 120 applicants.

[1] Shortly after arriving back in Hampshire, he signed inside-forward Wilf Mayer from First Division club Stoke City, who appeared in the rest of the season's fixtures.

[21] This positive start was short-lived, however, as they won just four more games throughout the rest of 1936, including picking up their biggest win of the season when they beat Sheffield United 4–0 later in September, thanks to doubles from Dunne and Billy Boyd.

[21] After the arrival of new manager Tom Parker in early March, however, the team's form suffered again and they picked up only one more victory the entire season, beating fellow strugglers Norwich City 3–1 at The Dell on 3 April.

[1] Despite this, the Saints responded with two goals of their own through Arthur Holt and John Summers, which set up what club historians described as "a nail-biting finalé" in which the home side looked for an equaliser.