A leading aircraftsman who had represented the RAF, Douglas Vernon came briefly to the rescue of the Southampton manager, Arthur Chadwick, in February 1929. With his leading marksman, Willie Haines, troubled by injuries, Chadwick had been ringing the changes at centre-forward. So when he signed Vernon, he immediately thrust him into Second Division action.

After five games on the trot, Douglas was recalled by the RAF and posted to the Far East. Southampton had retained his registration, but when he returned from active duty, Douglas was allowed to play in the Isthmian League for Wycombe Wanderers, with whom he gained an Amateur Cup-winners’ medal in 1931. After a spell at Athenian League Leyton, he left the RAF, to join the Metropolitan Police Force, for whom he turned out over a seven-year period, up to the outbreak of war.