In the year 1900, the Saints reached the FA Cup final, however they suffered a 4-0 defeat against Bury. Two years later they reached the final for a second time, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United. After the Second World War, a succession of managers took charge at the Dell, but the Saints were relegated in 1953. Ted Bates led Southampton to promotion four years later. The Saints reached the semi finals of the FA cup in the years 1925 and 1927 however could not find their way in to the final of the competition. Between 1954 and 1958, they played their football in the Southern league division three and found promotion in to the third division in 1958. They won the third division at the end of the 1959 – 1960 season as they finished off in top position of the division.
Their pre - 1960 managers included, Arthur Dominy, Bill Dodgin, Sid Cann, George Roughton and Ted Bates.