By the end of the 1920s, the Club’s playing membership had swelled to 70. Whilst numerically advantaged, an unusually high level of injuries and retirements meant that the 1^st XI struggled throughout the season, suffering a number of heavy defeats early on. After 14 games they were second bottom with only 5 points. In contrast the Reserves sat proudly at the top of Division 1 with 13 points from a possible 16. By March the fortunes of both sides had turned. The Reserves fell into mid table and the 1^st XI were buoyed by improved team spirit, coupled with successive victories against Kew and Westminster Bank. However, defeats in the final two games by Cambridge Town and Old Lyonians seemed to have sent Carshalton to Division 2 for the first time since 1924-25. Thankfully, other results went Carshalton’s way and the Club’s tenure in Division 1 continued - just. Kew Association were relegated having won Division 2 the previous season without dropping a single point!

Crowds continued to be counted in their hundreds - so much so that the AFA suggested that Carshalton take a gate, following the examples of other bigger SAL clubs. This was vigourously rejected by the Club who were very conscious of preserving the private Club’s amateur status and not turning the Club into a business concern. As Shelton Cox reported in his editorial:

"The bigger the gate grows, the more obscure becomes the identity of the club"

It is important to set the scene for this far-reaching decision. Football in the late 20s was considerably different from the modern era. Amateur football was held in high regard - SAL results were broadcast by the BBC and published in the national newspapers. If Carshalton had accepted the trend followed by such clubs as Ipswich Town, then who knows what the future might have been? League football, FA Cup glory, Carshalton in Europe? Well, they did achieve that on tour - more of which later. By the late 20s, Carshalton were facing "amateur" clubs who could offer "palatial dressing rooms, no subscriptions, all expenses paid, boots, shirts, everything provided and so on. When the time comes, if it ever does, when clubs like ours cannot keep up with the times and field a senior side, then let it lie in our memories, rather than change it into something different and perhaps not so worthy." There were a few rumblings within the league during the season that the gate-taking clubs should break away and exclude non gate-takers. Carshalton remained forthright in their opposition to this notion and were one of the main voices of dissent.

It was during this period that worries over the ground and pavilion rose again. Although the possibility of a move from Beddington Park was considered, the question of the ground was resolved in consultation with Beddington Cricket Club by early November. However, problems over the new pavilion were not so simple and it would be another 2 seasons before this issue could be resolved satisfactorily. A new pavilion was to be built with both clubs sharing the costs and Carshalton set to work early on raising funds. The Committee was determined the Club would raise the cash by its own means and "not resort to sponsorship".