[1] A promotion campaign soon tailed off into an unremarkable mid-table finish, as bad form persuaded the club to sell off Bill Pointon for a then-club record fee.

[1] During this spell, Joe Dale was offloaded to Witton Albion as Hodgson attempted to fill the gaps in the first-team with young reserves.

Over the Christmas period, talk was dominated by 'The Wembley of the North', which had been projected as an 80,000-capacity stadium, now it was planned as a 40,000-capacity ground with room for future expansion.

[1] In January the club initiated a fire-sale of players: Bill Pointon went to Queens Park Rangers for a then-club record five-figure fee, whilst Harry Hubbick was sold to Rochdale for around £1,000.

[1] Meanwhile, the club transfer listed Palk, Aveyard, and Eric Eastwood (who all lived outside North Staffordshire); whilst Hulligan returned from injury.

[1] Nine days later at Ashton Gate, keeper Harry Prince was given a chance in place of regular George Heppell, who embarrassed himself by attempting to punch a 40 yards (37 m) punt from Stone, only to miss the ball entirely and thereby concede the equaliser.