 The pre-season was quiet, with all the club satisfied with the staff and players of the previous campaign.The game itself was changed by the offside rule being modified so that two defenders, rather than three, had to be between the attackers and the goal in order to spring the offside trap – this would have significant beneficial consequences for young forward Wilf Kirkham.The season started with two wins, the second being a 3–0 home win over cross-town rivals Stoke.