BRISTOL ROVERS ~ 1952-53

Rovers visited BOURNEMOUTH AND BOSCOMBE ATHLETIC (8 Nov 1952) and won 2-1 with goals from PETHERBRIDGE and BUSH. It was their 4 successive victory in what was to be 12 consecutive wins (scoring 34 goals and letting in 6).

Cartoons by PAK would regularly feature in the match programmes of the early 50s ~ you could always colour them, I suppose.

A tremendous season to look forward to, the match day programme still had the bizarre double team sheet.

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After the first 7 league matches, Rovers had won 5 and lost 2, then an amazing unbeaten run from Sept 15th 1951 until the 21 March 1952 seemed to have guaranteed a promotion to Division 2.

In that spell Played 27 Won 18 Drawn 9.

...after that great run a defeat at Reading then two more victories...

....with 9 games left Rovers were perched safely at the top but with just one win in those last 9, the Pirates just scraped it finishing with 64 points, 2 ahead of both Millwall and Northampton Town.

Rovers went to Swindon Town on April 3rd... a quote from the Swindon programme Today we extend a very hearty welcome to Bristol Rovers, who are having a most wonderful season, leaders of our division with a clear lead of 7 points over their neighbours Bristol City. As a matter of fact, they have held that proud position since Sept 13th 1952.

The programme goes on to mention that 7 players have played in every league game and that 9 of the team were born in the Bristol area.

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SEASON'S RECORD:

Played 46 W 26 D 12 L 8 F 92 A 46 Points 64

Geoff BRADFORD 33 goals and Vic LAMBDEN 24 in the league season.

29,451 witnessed Rovers' victory over Newport County at Eastville which

clinched the league title.