The team finished second to West Bromwich Albion in 1919–20, before winning their first ever First Division championship in 1920–21. Burnley lost the opening three games, but went unbeaten in the following 30 league matches, a then English record. Haworth's death in 1924 was followed by a steady deterioration of their position, which culminated in demotion in 1929–30. They struggled in the second tier and avoided a further relegation in 1931–32 by two points. The years through to the outbreak of the Second World War were characterised by uninspiring league finishes.