Unfortunately Nelson's time in Division Two was to be short-lived, lasting just the one season in which they finished second-bottom of the table.
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For a while, however, Nelson was put on the map. It was clear early on that they were struggling both on and off the pitch, but they achieved some remarkable feats on the way.
They were the first visiting team to score a goal at high-flying Blackpool. They then had a home victory over champions-elect Leeds United, one of only nine league defeats for the Yorkshire side. And their first away victory - in mid-March - came at Manchester United. Few non-league clubs can claim to have won away at both Real Madrid and Manchester United!
A return to Division Three North brought a drop in attendances, though big games saw new records established, such as 13,500 for the visit of table-topping Darlington. That first season back in the third tier of the Football League saw a second-place finish to the North-Eastern side, hence no promotion, and was to be the last time the Blues seriously threatened a return to the national stage.
The next season brought a new and never beaten record attendance at Seedhill of 14,143 for the visit of leaders Bradford Park Avenue. The home team went two goals down but came back to draw 2-2. After that it was downhill as Nelson had a poor second half of the season, eventually finishing eighth.
 | One of the final Nelson league teams |
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Two seasons later Nelson became serious strugglers, finding themselves £6,500 in debt. A rock-bottom finish meant a re-election application. They had conceded 136 goals during the season, and all the problems seemed to be down to insufficient gate receipts during difficult times for the area. Re-election was granted in 1928, but three seasons later Nelson were back in the same situation, and 1930-31 was to be their final season as a League club.
They dropped to bottom position on Boxing Day and remained there until the end of the campaign. Even a fund-raising carnival at Seedhill in March was a disaster when a loss of £20 was made! The last league game came at Hull on 2nd May 1931, and Nelson lined-up with Warhurst, Martin, Fairhurst, Howes, Dixon, Suttie, Carmedy, Harker, Bate, Manoch, Dawson. They lost 4-0, and in a second vote following a tie, were not re-elected and replaced by Chester. |
