By Jim Brown
Despite the resurgence of optimism the previous season, the 1930-31 season was frustrating in comparison. Instead of the expected push for promotion to Division Two it was back to business as usual at Highfield Road with disappointment, acrimony and resignations.
Almost 18,000 turned up on the opening day to see City beaten 1-2 by an impressive Notts County team who would romp to the championship. A serious injury to Jimmy Loughlin which restricted him to eleven games and the departure of Norman Dinsdale to Bristol Rovers certainly affected the team but a run of good results, including 4-0 and 7-1 home wins over Swindon and Thames respectively, kept City in the top six well into October. Then, three successive home defeats dealt a blow to the club’s promotion hopes. Billy Lake and Jack Phillips racked up the goals, especially at home but the away form was again poor. After a home FA Cup exit to Exeter the club’s finances were in a parlous state and mid-season signings could not be afforded. The team’s form picked up after Christmas but in February 1931, a majority of the board voted for the resignation of McIntyre. It was common knowledge that chairman Walter Brandish and McIntyre, a man intolerant to meddlesome directors, had been at loggerheads for some time and the club’s poor form was an excuse to remove the manager. In response to the board’s decision McIntyre said: ‘My reasons for resigning are consequent upon the intolerable attitude of Walter Brandish and under no account could I carry on under his Chairmanship’.
McIntyre became manager of Fulham and the following season, as if to prove a point, led the London club to the Third Division South championship.
Director Bill Slade took over as caretaker manager until the directors’ choice as new manager, Harry Storer arrived on 11 April. Billy Lake shone through the gloomy season and netted 23 league and cup goals included four goals in the 5-1 home win over Bristol Rovers in March. Poor home form – six home defeats were suffered – saw crowds slip by over 2,500 a game with a final average of 10,327 and by the season’s end two crowds under 6,000 were registered. The club finished the season in 14th position.
Harry Storer was the son of a famous England and Liverpool goalkeeper and the nephew of a Derbyshire and England cricketer, and at the age of 33, ready to end his playing career with Burnley and step into the managerial shoes at Highfield Road. He had excelled as a wing half with Derby and won two England caps before moving to Turf Moor in 1929. His arrival prompted the Midland Daily Telegraph’s correspondent, Nemo, to echo the thoughts of all City fans by asking ‘has the club reached the long awaited turning in the dismal road’?
