The Saints’ replay-ridden Cup-run in 1923 had included two games against Bury, for whom John Callagher shone. At the end of the following season, as Bury were promoted to the First Division, he arrived at The Dell, along with Stan Woodhouse, in a deal that took Bill Turner to Gigg Lane. The Echo applauded the signing of a

“class player”,

but Callagher failed to settle in the south. Although he played only once in a 47-match season, Southampton offered to retain him in May 1925, but he opted to be placed on the transfer list.  He duly signed for Wigan Borough but, come to the end of the season, the Third Division (North) club still owed Southampton the £400 transfer fee, so he was offered to Norwich City of the Third (South). His stay at The Nest was brief and, after a flirtation with non-league football, John became a fireman in Blackpool, where he received a bravery award in 1938.