Albion secretary Frank Heaven resigned in May 1902, and was replaced by 19-year-old Fred Everiss, who remained in the post of secretary-manager for 46 years. The team performed well on their return to Division One, topping the league for a large part of the season, but their title hopes were ended by a run of 11 games without a win—including eight straight defeats—and they finished seventh. Disagreements in the boardroom in the summer of 1903 led to the resignation of three directors, including chairman Harry Keys. Albion won just seven league games in 1903–04, and were again relegated as the First Division's bottom club. This time there was no quick return as the club finished tenth in Division Two, three points clear of having to apply for re-election. The 1905–06 season saw a marked improvement, with a 16-match unbeaten run between October and January helping the team to a 4th-place finish. In 1906–07, Fred Shinton finished as top scorer in Division Two, with 28 league goals.