The Rovers' Third Division North Championship success of the previous season had put them in the old Second Division for the first time in more than 30 years. The next nine months saw the club enjoy the best and worst of times, during which they attained their highest ever League placing before a horrendous run of results left them in 18th place, and just a few points from disaster. The Rovers relied on their Championship side for the opening fixture at Blackpool, but were shocked to find themselves 4-1 down by half time. The final scoreline of 5-2 was a bitter introduction to their new surroundings, but this was only the first game after all, and hopes were high that the team would go on to better things.

The first home game, against Southampton, was also lost, but the Rovers broke their 'duck' in the next game, at home to Charlton, and three of the next five matches were also won, the pick of these being a narrow victory at West Ham, who eventually finished in the top four at the end of the season.

The Rovers came a bit of a cropper in early October when they lost by six clear goals at Leicester, but this was only a blip in a remarkable series of scores which saw the Rovers shooting up the League table.

By Christmas morning of 1935, after Reg Baines and Albert Turner scored in a 2-1 win over Spurs, the Rovers were joint top of the Second Division with Leicester City, with the Foxes ahead, albeit on goal average. The footballing folk of Doncaster were beginning to dream of football in the top flight, but things were about to go pear-shaped in a big, big way, Rovers' defenders Fred Emery and Joe Hall, were both injured in that day's game at home to Nottingham Forest, and the heart seemed to go right out of the side. The remainder of the season - 22 fixtures - realised just two wins and five draws, including a second goalless affair with eventual champions Manchester United. Consequently, the side quickly lost its lofty League position and nose-dived down the Second Division table. In February 1936, the club's Secretary/Manager, David Menzies, resigned his position and team captain Emery replaced him in a Player/Manager role.

The season did not end without one or two bright spots. Hull City were heavily beaten at Belle Vue in February, whilst a new ground record was created on the visit of high-flying Sheffield United at Easter. An attendance of 28,450 witnessed a goalless draw between the two teams.

The Sheffield County Cup was won for the first time thanks to a narrow victory over Sheffield United, who were FA Cup finalists that same season.
The FA Cup did not provide much cheer for the Rovers, however, and they lost at home 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in a third round tie, their only consolation coming in the fact that the match attracted a record Cup gate of 19,409 for the club.

Leading scorers: Baines 19, Burton 15

Division Two
1935-1936
 
P
W
D
L
F
A
Points
Manchester United
42
22
12
8
85
43
56
Charlton Athletic
42
22
11
9
85
58
55
Sheffield United
42
20
12
10
79
50
52
West Ham United
42
22
8
12
90
68
52
Tottenham Hotspur
42
18
13
11
91
55
49
Leicester City
42
19
10
13
79
57
48
Plymouth Argyle
42
20
8
14
71
57
48
Newcastle United
42
20
6
16
88
79
46
Fulham
42
15
14
13
76
52
44
Blackpool
42
18
7
17
93
72
43
Norwich City
42
17
9
16
72
65
43
Bradford City
42
15
13
14
55
65
43
Swansea City
42
15
9
18
67
76
39
Bury
42
13
12
17
66
84
38
Burnley
42
12
13
17
50
59
37
Bradford Park Avenue
42
14
9
19
62
84
37
Southampton
42
14
9
19
47
65
37
DONCASTER ROVERS
42
14
9
19
51
71
37
Nottingham Forest
42
12
11
19
69
76
35
Barnsley
42
12
9
21
54
80
33
Port Vale
42
12
8
22
56
106
32
Hull City
42
5
10
27
47
111
20