Scotsman Jimmy Dale was playing for Beith FC when spotted by Sunderland and he moved to the North-East on a £3 a week contract. He then moved to the Potteries and having then joined the busy trail of players from Stoke of the Football League to Southern League Southampton, John Dale was less successful than most of the arrivals from that source. Making his debut against old rivals Freemantle, he had five games, at right-half, always on the winning side, in Cup and League, save for a 7-3 defeat at Clapton. He was stretchered from the pitch with twisted a knee and ankle during a match at Ilford and the injuries were severe enough for Saints to pay up his contract and release him a month later. He then hurried back to Staffordshire, where he would play for his home-town club and work in the local coal mines.