Following the turmoil of the First World War, a National Football League was formed. In 1920, City was invited to become a founding member of the new Third Division.

The first match in the National League was played against Brentford at St James Park on 28th August 1920, and saw City claim a comfortable 3-0 win.

1920 was the year City entered the National League which was symbolic of the recovery of the professional football industry in England after the devastation of the First World War.