17-year old bank-clerk Ernest Mate, a regular in the United Banks side that played minor local friendlies, was eligible to turn out for St Mary’s, as they embarked on their second season of competitive football, defending the Hants Junior Cup. His appearance at outside-right in a 5-0 First Round win over Havant was very promising as he scored the fifth goal, but it turned out to be a one-off and he returned to local football – although his career would later take him to Liverpool, as a commissioned agent dealing with the Stock Exchange. In 1939 he was in Ealing London working as a contractor’s clerk.