Cardiff embarked on its first overseas tour, playing matches in Czechoslovakia, Austria and Germany. The first match was a bad-tempered affair against Czech side AC Sparta Prague as Cardiff players were kicked and punched by spectators as they attempted to take corner kicks and throw-ins. The opposition were also accused of overly physical play by the Cardiff players during a 3–2 victory for the Czechs. A second match against the same opponents saw Cardiff win by the same scoreline before the team continued their tour by beating Austrian side First Vienna 2–0 in front of an estimated crowd of 60–70,000 people. The tour concluded with matches against German sides Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV. Cardiff defeated Dortmund 2–0 before being held to a 2–2 draw by Hamburger SV. Although the side ultimately missed out on the league title, their second-placed finish saw ticket sales increase greatly ahead of the new season with both the Grange and Canton stands being sold out and the rest of the ground largely full. Manager Fred Stewart, who was entering his tenth competitive season in charge, made several changes to his playing squad with ten players being signed. Harry Beadles had arrived at the club from Liverpool immediately following the end of the previous season and had been part of the club's overseas tour. He had previously had a trial at the club after the First World War which had proved unsuccessful. Several players from local teams were also brought in, including forwards Jack Nicholls, son of Cardiff director Sydney Nicholls who was signed from Newport County, and Willie Davies, signed from Swansea Town for £2,500. The club also signed Joe Nicholson from Clapton Orient and Tom Sloan from Linfield, as well as James McLean from amateur side Barn Athletic, a player who was regarded as deaf and dumb although he never played for the first team. The pitch at the club's home ground, Ninian Park, was overhauled with several tons of sand, soil and grass seeds lain ahead of the campaign after criticism of the playing surface. In the early stages of the season, Cardiff hired noted seed experts Sutton & Co to advise on ways of improving the playing surface. First Division Cardiff started the season with a goalless draw away to Burnley on 30 August 1924 and a 1–1 draw with Sheffield United two days later. Cardiff were one of several to