After one year as secretary, Honan gave way to J Howard, whose report in the Xaverian was more upbeat.

“The cost of running a football club in these days, even in an amateur organisation such as we play under, is very high.  Umpires and trainers’ fees, material and sundry expenses were the means of us spending sixty pounds or so, and it is to the great credit of members that mainly through their efforts this amount has been cleared to within a few pounds.

“At times this very important question of finance caused the committee a great deal of trouble, but each time we set to work and by a series of entertainments in which all members gave a hand, we kept the wolf from the door.”

Indeed, it was noted that membership had doubled and that the bank balance was not as desired, but not desperate.  Nevertheless, there was an appeal for a wider spread of membership among Xavier’s alumni at the rates of five shillings for non-playing members and seven shillings and sixpence for players.

On the field, thirty-two players represented the club in season 1924, and the Old Xaverians beat all teams in the competition at least once, with the exception of Old Trinity, the eventual premier.

The secretary noted the loss of reliable players Bown, Cooke, Joyce and Horan, and the arrival of likely types Cussen, O’Brien, Uren, O’Connor among the twenty odd who attended the first training sessions at Xavier.

After dropping the opener on 3 May, the Xavs strung together a club record of three victories in a row before sickness and business commitments weakened the XVIII.  A late recovery saw the club finish in fifth position with a record of 9-7.

Allan Keane won plaudits for his play and the Cup for Best Player, while Tom Ryan kicked 87 goals, more than any Amateur that year. His biggest haul came in the last of his thirteen games for the year – 16 against Burwood.

Several schoolboys filled in where required, among them L Lachal, K Schneider, K Keane and Maurice Collins.

Part of that increased performance was no doubt due to esprit de corps generated in part by the social activities, which included various Smoke Nights and Picture Nights.

On 26 September, at St Patrick’s Hall in Bourke Street, players gathered for the final time that season, and enjoyed varied and high-class musical items.

Vice-president Herman Schrader was lauded for his efforts on behalf of the club and hailed as the team’s most enthusiastic supporter with his “stentorian tones urging them on when often in a bad position.”  

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