In September 1929, Birmingham had taken a 3–1 lead away to Blackburn Rovers when their goalkeeper, Harry Hibbs, fell over an opposing forward, injured his back, and with his movement severely impaired, conceded three goals in the last ten minutes of the first half. Hibbs was unable to continue, so Curtis kept goal in the second half; he also conceded three, and the match ended as a 7–5 defeat. With Birmingham near the bottom of the league table, Curtis withdrew from international selection in favour of playing for his club in the home match against Blackburn Rovers on 1 February 1930. They lost, and Curtis twisted his knee during the match which resulted in him missing the rest of the season.