 During this time he became the first Cardiff player to be sent off in a League match (v. Manchester City, in August 1925) and was also a member of the talented side which won the FA Cup in 1927 against Arsenal.Amongst his team-mates were fellow Scottish international Jimmy Blair, the talented goalscoring forward Hughie Ferguson, heart and soul of the side Fred Keenor, all time Cardiff City record goal scorer Len Davies and speedy left winger George McLachlan.Nelson played 4 times for his country between 1925 and 1930 and was Scotland's right-back in the Wembley Wizards game where they beat England 5–1.