After World War I
Despite still having their star man Ocky Johnson, Scarborough had slipped in form during the post war period. The club suffered a humiliating and record defeat against Middlesbrough in 1919, losing 16—1 in total. Although financially the club were doing well, their finishing places in the league was not as rosy. Under the guidance of new chairman W.T. Medd the club adopted professionalism in 1926, joining the Yorkshire Football League, with their first ever professional match against Bridlington Town which they won 3—1. Spurred on by great home attendance figures, Scarborough left the Yorkshire League after just one season to join the stronger Midland Football League. With James McGraham as player-coach, Scarborough played attractive attacking football and managed to surprise most by finishing runners-up to Gainsborough Trinity at their first attempt. Local rivals Scarborough Penguins folded around this time and merged with Boro. Several players were signed by Football League clubs, but with goalscorer Billy Clayson leading the way, Scarborough were crowned champions of the Midland League in 1929—30.
The financial cost it took to build a squad capable of winning the league backfired, many had to be sold to Football League clubs as a result. Despite the drop in form in the Midlands League, Boro shined in the F.A. Cup reaching the Third Round; one of these fixtures was considered the greatest ever played at the Athletic Ground, where Scarborough came from behind to beat Football League side Lincoln City 6—4. A couple of years later, the transfer of club hero Billy Clayson to York City just a season after Scarborough had knocked the fellow Yorkshire club out of the F.A. Cup would light the fire of a rivalry between the two, essentially taking the place of the older rivalry with Whitby. After coming close to folding and disastrous league form, experienced former Manchester United man Thomas Boyle was brought in as player-manager and helped the club to improve drastically, with a decent F.A. Cup run in the year just after he left, where Boro reached the Third Round before going out to Luton Town after a replay. Boro's league form had improved also and they managed to finish 3rd in the Midland League during 1937—38 before again war interrupted again, in the form of World War II.
Read more about this topic: History Of Scarborough F.C.
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