The 1925–26 season got off to an inauspicious start when Jimmy Nelson received the club's first red card in the Football League after being sent off against Manchester City on the opening day. During the season, Cardiff also suffered the heaviest defeat in the club's history, losing 11–2 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The season ended as being their worst since their promotion six years earlier, finishing 16th. However, City had a record total of 16 international players, representing Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
