This season will probably be remembered for events off the field of play rather than those on it. Strikes by the power workers, a truncated working week and subsequent power cuts played havoc with everyday life. The use of floodlighting at football matches was banned, and Football League matches were played on Sundays for the first time.

The Rovers drew with Stockport County at Belle Vue on the opening day of the season, and followed this with a further draw at Bradford City seven days later. The next two home games brought mixed fortunes as the Rovers lost by a goal to nil to Torquay United, before beating Barnsley by the same scoreline. Away losses were suffered at Brentford and League leaders Peterborough, but the Rovers rallied with a thrilling victory over Workington at Belle Vue, prior to losing by a wide margin at Gillingham.

October provided revenge for the Rovers as they defeated Peterborough in the return game at Belle Vue, but this was the only success of the month, as the remaining five fixtures yielded but two points. November was better, with only one defeat in the four games played, but December was nothing short of horrendous, with four consecutive defeats that left the Rovers rock bottom of Division Four.

History was made at Belle Vue on January 27th 1974, when the Rovers and leaders Colchester United featured in the first League game to be played on a Sunday on this ground. With everything against them, the Rovers performed brilliantly and won by two goals to nil.

It was, however, a brief moment of glory and the following month failed to provide a single point from the four games played. Leading scorer Mike Elwiss was then transferred to Preston North End for a club record fee and the Rovers' long suffering supporters showed their displeasure by providing the club with its lowest ever League attendance against Newport County in late March.

April was, as always, a very busy month. Nine games were squeezed into 27 days at Easter. There were a few bright spots with home wins over Exeter City, Lincoln City and Northampton Town, and a highly entertaining draw in the away game with the 'Imps', but it was all too late. The Rovers finished third from bottom and had to apply for re-election, the last time being some 12 seasons earlier.

The Cup competitions saw the Rovers enjoy a double dose of glamour, with some 'plum' draws for a change. Lincoln City and Tranmere Rovers were defeated in the early rounds, before the Rovers were drawn at Liverpool in the third round. A titanic battle ensued at Anfield, with the Rovers well worth of their draw, but they failed to show the same purpose in the replay at Belle Vue and the 'Reds' ran out easy winners. The League Cup saw the Rovers win a dramatic first round tie at Notts County, before losing heavily, and rather undeservedly, at Newcastle United in round two.

Leading scorers (league): Kitchen 10, O'Callaghan 10