The 1929–30 season was the 29th season of competitive football played by Cardiff City F.C. and the team's first year in the Second Division of the Football League since being relegated from the First Division the previous year. They finished in eighth position overall and the season saw several first team players sold to raise funds to cover a drop in attendance figures following relegation. The season also held the first South Wales derby in the Football League between Cardiff and Swansea Town. In the FA Cup, Cardiff achieved an upset by defeating First Division Liverpool in the third round at Anfield. However, they were unable to repeat the feat in the following round and were eliminated by Sunderland. In the Welsh Cup, Cardiff reached the final for the fourth consecutive season. They recorded a goalless draw with Rhyl, necessitating a replay. However, this was not played until October 1930 with Cardiff winning 4–2. William Roberts was the Cardiff player with the most appearances during the campaign, playing 46 times in all competitions. Len Davies was the club's top goalscorer in all competitions with 15 goals. Ralph Williams was Cardiff's highest scorer in the league, scoring 11 times despite only joining the club midway through the season. Background Cardiff City played in the Football League Second Division in the 1929–30 season, having been relegated from the First Division the previous year. It was the team's first season in the second tier of English football since their inaugural campaign in the Football League in 1920. The club had suffered relegation after finishing bottom of the First Division, despite conceding the fewest goals in the league. However, this record was offset by the club's ineffective offense which also scored the lowest amount of goals in the division. Ahead of the new season, manager Fred Stewart was provided with a small fund to sign new players. Albert Valentine and Don Bird were signed from non-League, Paddy Moore arrived from Irish side Shamrock Rovers and Wilfred Lievesley was signed from Wigan Borough. However, to raise funds Hughie Ferguson, the club's record signing and top goalscorer for the previous three seasons, was sold to Dundee. Two other members of the team's 1927 FA Cup Final winning side, Tom Sloan and Tom Watson also departed the club. Both players had missed most of the previous season with injury and returned to their native Ireland with Linfield.