BRISTOL ROVERS ~ 1949-50

Goals from Tony JAMES and Bill ROOST gave Rovers a victory at Ashton Gate on Jan 14th 1950, watched by a crowd approaching 34,000, this is how Rovers' programme editor celebrated the win in a programme for Rovers friendly with Blackburn Rovers on 28 January.

The centre pages of Rovers' match at MILLWALL Oct 22 1949 which we won 1-0 (WATLING) in front of a 19,000 crowd at The Den.

The programme claims that Rovers wore

RED & WHITE Squared shirts, Knickers white.

Team: Frank McCOURT(briefly with Rovers in 1949, transferred to Manchester City where he also represented Northern Ireland), Geoff FOX(274 games 1947-55), Jack WEARE (141 games 1946-50), Ray WARREN (450 games 1935-56), Harry BAMFORD(486 games 1946-58), Jackie PITT (467 games 1946-58).

Front: Bryan BUSH (114 games 1947-55), Len HODGES (118 games 1946-50), Vic LAMBDEN (269 games 117 goals from 1946-55), Tony JAMES (21 games 1949-51), Josser WATLING (323 games 1947-62).

This team photo appeared on the front page of SPORT a national sports' magazine Feb 1950.

My detective work tells me that these 11 ONLY played together at MILLWALL and BRIGHTON and at Eastville in the 5 matches between 8 Oct and 12 Nov 1949 ~ does anybody recognise the ground?

The Bournemouth (and Boscombe) programme from 21 Jan 1950 which Rovers won 2-0 (Jimmy MORGAN and Josser WATLING) crowd 12,211.

Finishing 9th out of 22 with 43 points from 42 matches which included 19 wins and just 5 draws, 51 goals were scored and 51 conceded showing that there was a decent defence but a bit lacking in the forward line, or was it something to do with rationing?

The last 5 matches of the season [4 wins and 1 draw whilst scoring 12 goals] must have boosted the fans' hopes for the coming season.