1981/82 season began like the previous one, with the Swifts surging to the top of the league. However this campaign was to prove far more difficult than the previous one as old rivals, Castle United, who included several former Swifts players in their ranks, exchanged the leadership in the early part of the season.

On Boxing Day 1981 the Swifts contested their second successive McCaw Shield Final when they played Bangor Rangers. Another questionable decision by the Down Area Council saw the Final scheduled for the home pitch of the opposition at Bloomfield Road, Bangor. Unfortunately the Swifts were unable to repeat their achievement of just seven months previous, losing 2-3 in extra time to a bit of a fluke goal.

To make matters worst, the final was also marred by controversy when a Swifts player was alleged to have abused a League official after the final whistle. In his defence, the player claimed that the official in question had made provocative comments but this was not considered when the matter was brought before the League committee which suspended the player. Many members in the Swifts camp were by now convinced that the Club was not very popular amongst certain elements of the League’s ruling body.

On returning to league business, the Swifts won five consecutive matches, only to drop three points in back to back fixtures in April against fellow challengers, Castle United. The Bangor side became firm favourites to clinch their first title with one match remaining as they were a point ahead of the Swifts. However, to everyone’s surprise, Castle lost their last league match and the Swifts were able to pip them at the post with a hard earned 3-1 victory in a difficult away fixture against Ballywalter Rec.
Having won the Down Area League title in 1980/81 and 1981/82, the Club were on the crest of a wave and decided to re-form a 3rd. XI. as the venture with Brunswick Swifts had only lasted a single season.

In preparation for this new side a set of all Blue shirts with a “V” neck were purchased from Jackie Cummings Sports in May 1982. These were made of heavy cotton under the Octopus brand name and cost a reasonable £3.70. Only a set of shirts were purchased at this time as the Club had been building up a stock of spare shorts and socks in both Blue and Yellow.

These shirts were used by the 2nd. XI, and the all Yellow Coffer kit was cascaded to the 3rd. XI. They were also the last set of jerseys to receive the old diamond badge. Being made of cotton, these shirts did not stand up to the rigors of launderette washing and soon shrunk. With the 3rd.XI only lasting one season, they became surplus to requirements and were eventually donated to St. Patrick’s Grammar School football team.