Following the improved performances of the previous season, hopes were high that the Rovers would continue to consolidate their position in the Third Division after their promotion from the Fourth Divison two seasons earlier. Unfortunately, it was not to be, and they were relegated after finishing next to bottom with just 35 points form their 46 league games.

The season opened ominously with only two draws from the opening nine fixtures, though it must be added that five of the seven defeats were by a margin of a single goal. The first Rovers victory arrived at the expense of Brighton, who were beaten by two goals to nil at Belle Vue during the last week in September. There then followed an upturn in the fortunes of the club, with further wins away at Bury and at home to Reading, before losing again at Mansfield.

Undaunted, the Rovers resumed their good form and lost but one of their next six games, the pick of these performances being away wins at Barnsley and Shrewsbury. However, the six week period between December and mid-January was a different story entirely, as they lost six matches on the trot, with their only win in the month of January coming at Gillingham, destined to finish bottom.

Three successive draws followed, before the team lost heavily at Chesterfield. Once again, the Rovers rallied to take maximum points from the next two games, these being a particularly pleasing home victory over Barnsley and a useful performance at Walsall.

But these results barely hid the terrible trouble that the team was in. A number of the better players were transferred as the season progressed and, although three was the odd good result - an excellent home win over high-flying Aston Villa, for instance - it became obvious that the Rovers' Third Division tenure was almost at an end. The season ended as it had started with a series of narrow defeats. Rovers' Team Manager, Lawrie McMenemy, was replaced by Maurice Setters at the end of the season.

In the Cups, Rovers lost to both Crewe Alexandra and Darlington in first round replays.

Leading scorers: Briggs 9, Kitchen 6, Irvine 5

Division Three
 1970-1971
 
P
W
D
L
F
A
Points
Preston North End
46
22
17
7
63
39
61
Fulham
46
24
12
10
68
41
60
Halifax Town
46
22
12
12
74
55
56
Aston Villa
46
19
15
12
54
46
53
Chesterfield
46
17
17
12
66
38
51
Bristol Rovers
46
19
13
14
69
50
51
Mansfield Town
46
18
15
13
64
62
51
Rotherham United
46
17
16
13
64
60
50
Wrexham
46
18
13
15
72
65
49
Torquay United
46
19
11
16
54
57
49
Swansea City
46
15
16
15
59
56
46
Barnsley
46
17
11
18
49
52
45
Shrewsbury Town
46
16
13
17
58
62
45
Brighton & Hove Albion
46
14
16
16
50
47
44
Plymouth Argyle
46
12
19
15
63
63
43
Rochdale
46
14
15
17
61
68
43
Port Vale
46
15
12
19
52
59
42
Tranmere Rovers
46
10
22
14
45
55
42
Bradford City
46
13
14
19
49
62
40
Walsall
46
14
11
21
51
57
39
Reading
46
14
11
21
48
85
39
Bury
46
12
13
21
52
60
37
DONCASTER ROVERS
46
13
9
24
45
66
35
Gillingham
46
10
13
23
42
67
33