Although he was 24 by the time he arrived at The Dell, Frank Campbell’s prior footballing experience had been restricted to the Scottish Intermediate League.

He nevertheless developed into a strong, forceful half-back, quickly adapting to life in the English Second Division.

To get a game in Southampton’s half-back line at that time was no mean feat. The club may have been in dire straits financially, but in Bill Luckett, Stan Woodhouse – and even the aging Bert Shelley – it remained well-stocked at wing-half. Campbell’s versatility helped: he turned out in five different positions in 1931-32, although he made the right-half berth his own the following season.

But the first game of the following season proved to be his last in League football. A knee injury that developed into chronic arthritis had done for him.

He played briefly on the Isle of Wight with Newport, while employed in the aviation industry at Follands, a career that he later pursued at Hatfield. After this, he returned to Irvine, where he drove for the local bus company.