The early years of this decade were wholly unexceptional on the playing front. The 1934-35 season saw the start of a change. Much of the credit for the improvement was due to the incredible total of 68 goals scored by centre-forward Jock Thom, and the arrival of rock-solid central defender Sam Robinson. In February 1936 financial problems came to a head and the board looked earnestly at selling the Josephs Road ground. The supporters were aghast and a public meeting in the town was well attended, resulting in two new directors joining the board and the threat of sale passed.  On the eve of the 1936-37 season Haydn Green was appointed manager. A former Hull City manager, and assistant at Birmingham City, Green was ideal for the role. A poor start with just one win in the first seven games was rectified and the team finished the Southern League campaign in fifth position.

The following season, 1937-38, was to be memorable as City lifted the Southern League Championship trophy for the first time. Several additions to the squad had in particular seen two influential players join the team in the form of Jimmy Brown and Stan Denby.  Brown was an out and out goal scorer who had played for the USA in the 1930 World Cup, and had also played for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, whilst Denby was a scheming half-back.  For the second time in their history City knocked a Football League side out of the FA Cup.  On this occasion it was Reading, and a 25-yard Jimmy Brown piledriver was enough to win the tie in front of 7,831 at Josephs Road. Guildford couldn’t repeat their heroics in the next round when they departed the competition at another Football League side Doncaster Rovers.  In a pre-substitute age three players suffered injury during the match and were largely passengers. Financially though the 10,942 attendance at Belle Vue softened the blow of a 4-0 defeat. In pursuit of their first Southern League title City finished the season like an express train, winning nine out of their last 10 games. The title was finally clinched in the penultimate match, and to the acclaim of the town City were Champions!  Jimmy Brown had contributed 38 goals in 34 league appearances.

Manager Haydn Green was now in demand and prior to the 1938-39 he very nearly departed for Torquay United. But the city board were very well aware how important he was to the club, and they managed to ensure that Green stayed in post for a further season. In the FA Cup 1^st Round, proper City were drawn away to local Football League rivals Aldershot. A crowd of 11,000 gathered at the Recreation Ground to witness a tense cup-tie. Jimmy Brown scored for City in a 1-1 draw and both teams assembled for the replay at Josephs Road. The 9,932 crowd was a ground record although many felt there were many more attending. The resulting match was a real thriller. Aldershot made a good start and were 3-0 up in the first half. But after the break it was end to end stuff but at the final whistle the Hampshire side came away 4-3 winners. Back in the league the prolific Jimmy Brown set an unbroken club record by scoring seven goals in an 8-1 victory over Exeter City Reserves.  In a table-topping clash against Colchester United in April a crowd of 9,443 assembled at Josephs Road to watch City win 3-1. Again, Guildford came like a steam train at the end of the season winning their final eight matches. But it wasn’t quite enough as City finished runners-up by just one point to Colchester United.   

In September 1939 war clouds were gathering in Europe and the 1939-40 season was soon abandoned for the duration. It was long a point of discussion amongst City fans as to whether this golden City team would eventually have been elected to the Football League if the war hadn’t intervened.