The 1897–98 season was the 13th since the foundation of Southampton F.C. and their fourth in league football, as members of the Southern League. The club improved on their performance in the previous successful season, retaining the Southern League title and reaching the Semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time, where they went out in controversial circumstances. They started the season as tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club, but by the end of the season, the club had found a new permanent home, where they were to remain for over 100 years. By the end of a "phenomenally successful", Southampton were lifted out of relative obscurity into national prominence. In their report to the shareholders for the Annual General Meeting held on 30 June 1898, the directors commented: "The team's performance in the English Cup and their retention of the Southern League Championship entitled the club to rank among the best in the country". Pre-season Following the incorporation of the limited company in July 1897, the club had dropped "St. Mary's" from their name and henceforth would be known simply as "Southampton Football Club". One local reporter lamented:No longer will football enthusiasts be able to call out "Buck up Saints!" No longer will reporters with a flowery style be able to write of the "Saintly ones". For the Football Association has acceded to the request of the powers, and the club will in future be known as Southampton Football Club. The Saints are dead. Long live Southampton! Despite this, the press and club supporters continued to refer to the club as "the Saints", as they have done ever since. Once again, the board recruited several players from Football League clubs, most prominent of whom was Arthur Chadwick who was to remain with the club as a player for three years, returning in 1925 as manager. League season The 1897–98 season was the Saints' fourth in the Southern League, having finished as champions in the previous season. The season started badly, with a defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but Southampton won the next three matches, all away from home. The first home match of the season came on 23 October, when Southampton gained their revenge against the Spurs, with a 4–1 victory. The next five matches were also victories before a poor defeat at Bristol City on 22 January. After a draw at Chatham, a run of eight victories gave