The late 1930's were a very successful period for Doncaster Rovers and their followers, despite their relegation from the Second Divison in 1936/37, the following two seasons saw them fighting hard to regain their previous tenure, and the 1937/38 campaign ended with them missing out on the Third Divison (North) Championship and subsequent promotion by a mere two points.

After a close season which had seen the Rovers unsuccessfully apply for membership of the southern section of the old Third Divison, they opened with a handsome 4-0 demolition of Bradford City at Belle Vue. The victory was marred, however, by a severe injury to new singing Albert Pedwell, who never played in the first team again. The first away game, at York, waslost, but the Rovers soon settled down and were proving to be a very difficult team to beat. Tranmere Rovers - the eventual Champions - beat them at Prenton Park in mid September, but there were only four league defeats in the first half of the season which left the team hovering around the top of the table by the turn of the year.

A particularly pleasing feature of the period was the capping of centre forward Eddie Perry at full international level by Wales. Perry went on to play three games in all during the course of the season.

Although the New Year opened with a defeat at Bradford City, thus gaining revenge for their loss at Belle Vue on the opening day, the rest of the January fixtures realised three wins and a draw. The pick of these being a nine goal thriller at Spotland, where Rovers beat Rochdale by the odd goal. If the Championship could have been deemed to have been lost in one period, then that period must certainly have been the twelve day in February where the Rovers lost three consecutive games. Although they returned to winning ways in a vengeance, thanks to a hefty victory over Accrington Stanley, unfortunately the damage was already done.

The remainder of the season was an exercise in consistency as the Rovers chased the leaders. Six consecutive home victories coupled with only one defeat in the same number of away games left them with the unlikely task of having to beat the Champions elect, Tranmere Rovers, by eight goals in the last match of the season at Belle Vue. Not surprisingly, the task was beyond them, and the game finished in a draw, leaving the visitors to take the title by two points.

The Rovers enjoyed their best ever FA Cup result by beating non-league Blyth Spartans by seven goals to nil in the first round, with Mick Killourhy grabbing four goals. There wa further non-league oppositin in Round Two, where Guildford City were also dispatched at Belle Vue without much ado. The Rovers eventually made their exit at the hands - or feet! - of Second Division pacesetters, Sheffield Untied, before a 'gate' of over 23,000 at Belle Vue.

Leading scorers: Perry 24, Killourhy 14
Division Three (North)
 1937-1938
 
P
W
D
L
F
A
Points
Tranmere Rovers
42
23
10
9
81
41
56
DONCASTER ROVERS
42
21
12
9
74
49
54
Hull City
42
20
13
9
80
43
53
Oldham Athletic
42
19
13
10
67
46
51
Gateshead
42
20
11
11
84
59
51
Rotherham United
42
20
10
12
68
56
50
Lincoln City
42
19
8
15
66
50
46
Crewe Alexandra
42
18
9
15
71
53
45
Chester
42
16
12
14
77
72
44
Wrexham
42
16
11
15
58
63
43
York City
42
16
10
16
70
68
42
Carlisle United
42
15
9
18
57
67
39
New Brighton
42
15
8
19
60
61
38
Bradford City
42
14
10
18
66
69
38
Port Vale
42
12
14
16
65
73
38
Southport
42
12
14
16
53
82
38
Rochdale
42
13
11
18
67
78
37
Halifax Town
42
12
12
18
44
66
36
Darlington
42
11
10
21
54
79
32
Hartlepool United
42
10
12
20
53
80
32
Barrow
42
11
10
21
41
71
32
Accrington Stanley
42
11
7
24
45
75
29