Despite the breakout of another World War in September 1939, football competitions did take place, with the Football League being split into ten regional mini Wartime Leagues, with Portsmouth in 'League South'. An annual national cup competition was held too, called the Football League War Cup. Nevertheless, with the Wartime Leagues in operation, Pompey signed various players of other clubs who happened to be serving in the Forces and stationed near Portsmouth, on a temporary basis. One such was Andy Black of Heart of Midlothian, who on one notable occasion scored eight goals in a 16–1 thrashing of Clapton Orient.