BRISTOL ROVERS ~ 1968-69

The cover of the new-look programme in August 1968, Ken RONALDSON and Wayne JONES along with an unknown goalkeeper.
Did you know?
Rovers could turn out with 2 TAYLORS, 2 JONES and 2 WILLIAMS.

This team picture from the Rovers' home programme v Watford, the first match of the season which was a 1-1 draw, Rovers' goal from Frankie PRINCE.

Larry LLOYD in the line up ~ my claim to fame.... I lived at 173 Bishopthorpe Road, Larry lived at 183 so I played football with him thousands of times on Horfield Common!!!! (He fouled opponents when he was 8!!!).

43 appearances in 1968-69 for ROVERS before his move to
LIVERPOOL followed by international caps and European Cup Winners' medals with Liverpool and NOTTINGHAM FOREST.

Players who played the majority of matches this season:

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Laurie TAYLOR (43/46 league games), Lyndsey PARSONS (32), Larry LLOYD (43), Stuart TAYLOR (45), Wayne JONES (42), Bobby JONES (41), Harold JARMAN (45), Tom STANTON (32), John PETTS (32).

Not an impressive season in Division 3, longest unbeaten run was just 4 games.

Played 46 Won 16 Drew 11 Lost 19 For 63 Agnst 71 Pts 43

and finishing in 16th place.

Just a few highlights: HOME wins against

GILLINGHAM 5-1 and MANSFIELD 6-2 in the league,

and a 1-0 defeat in the 5th round of the FA Cup at EVERTON who were to finish 3rd in the top flight, a crowd of 55,294 at this match.The 4th round saw Rovers visit BOLTON WANDERERS and come home with a 2-1 win (Both from a young (and hairy) WAYNE JONES).

WATFORD and SWINDON both with 64 points from 46 matches were promoted to Division 2, while NORTHAMPTON, HARTLEPOOL, OLDHAM & CREWE were relegated.

Rovers fans could look forward to visiting Doncaster, Halifax, Rochdale and Bradford City in season 1969-70.