By 1911, this continuing problem forced him to sign untested players from lower leagues, including leagues in Ireland. The club also sold some of the top players to make ends meet. By 1912, Scott-Walford's health was deteriorating due to the pressure, and in that year a letter to the directors was published in the local press in which he stressed that he was unable to cope with the financial and other pressures unless things changed. This was taken as his resignation; however, he did leave the club amicably and was presented with a silver boat-shaped flower bowl, an inscribed gold medal and a silver mounted oak biscuit box (for his wife) by the club.