Although the 1952/53 season eventually failed to produce anything in the way of success, there was much to enjoy during the campaign, not least a series of floodlit friendlies against the likes of Glasgow Celtic and Djurgaardens from Sweden.

The season commenced with a home draw with Barnsley, and this was the only league point to come the Roves way from the first four games. They did, however, break their duck in the next game, beating Hull City by three goals to one, at Belle Vue, in early September. A further home victory, over Nottingham Forest, was recorded later in the month, before the Rovers came a right cropper at Everton, losing by seven goals to one at Goodison Park.

Fortunately, the Rovers poor early season form began to improve, and only one of the following twelve games failed to yield at least a point, indeed, there were excellent away wins at Fulham and Luton, whilst the team also shared six goals with Southampton in an entertaining affair at the Dell.

The Christmas games paired the Rovers with the eventual Second Division Champions - Sheffield United. The Rovers did well to hold the "Blades" to a draw at Bramall Lane on Christmas Day, but they lost by two goals to nil when the teams met again, twenty four hours later. The New Year opened with a comfortable win over Lincoln. The next four games were drawn, before the team gained some revenge for their earlier disaster at Goodison, by beating Everton with some style at Belle Vue. Southampton lost by the odd goal in seven at Notts County, after leading 3-1 at half time.

The remainder of the season saw the Rovers in useful form, losing just two of their remaining nine fixtures, the pick of these games being a smart victory at West Ham, whilst the 'double' was completed over Luton Town. The Rovers final league placing was fifteenth, which was reasonably pleasing, considering the poor start to the season. Another pleasing aspect of the season was the Rovers good home record, where they surrendered both points on only three occasions.

Whilst the Rovers did not dally long in the FA Cup, they did have the honour of travelling down to Highbury to play the mighty Arsenal in the Third Round. Unfortunately, they faded after a bright start, and eventually lost by four goals to nil. Their only consolation came as a share of the receipts from the attendance of nearly fifty eight thousand at Highbury.

Leading scorers (league): Harrison 12, Tindill 10, Doherty 9


Division Two
1952-1953
 
P
W
D
L
F
A
Points
Sheffield United
42
25
10
7
97
55
60
Huddersfield Town
42
24
10
8
84
33
58
Luton Town
42
22
8
12
84
49
52
Plymouth Argyle
42
20
9
13
65
60
49
Leicester City
42
18
12
12
89
74
48
Birmingham
42
19
10
13
71
66
48
Nottingham Forest
42
18
8
16
77
67
44
Fulham
42
17
10
15
81
71
44
Blackburn Rovers
42
18
8
16
68
65
44
Leeds United
42
14
15
13
71
63
43
Swansea City
42
15
12
15
78
81
42
Rotherham United
42
16
9
17
75
74
41
DONCASTER ROVERS
42
12
16
14
58
64
40
West Ham United
42
13
13
16
58
60
39
Lincoln City
42
11
17
14
64
71
39
Everton
42
12
14
16
71
75
38
Brentford
42
13
11
18
59
76
37
Hull City
42
14
8
20
57
69
36
Notts County
42
14
8
20
60
88
36
Bury
42
13
9
20
53
81
35
Southampton
42
10
13
19
68
85
33
Barnsley
42
5
8
29
47
108
18