We often hear the expression "a game of two halves"- but here was a season of two distinct periods where a change of Team Manager almost certainly preserved the Rovers' League status. The team was rock botton of Divison Four by Christmas 1974, but improved form in the second half of the season boosted them to a relatively lofty position of 17th by the end of the campaign.

The lack of pre-season transfer activity meant that a number of the junior players were thrown in at the deep end and, although the season began promisingly enough with a good home win over Stockport County on the opening day, it soon became apparent that the Rovers were going to struggle to enjoy any sort of success.

By the end of November, they were firmly entrenched in the bottom four and Manager Maurice Setters was effectively relieved of his duties. However, the following month saw the signing of the former Rotherham United favourite, Les Chappell, from Reading, and only two of the next six games were lost.

Former Middlesbrough and England man Stan Anderson was appointed as the Rovers' new team boss in early February, just days after the Rovers lost to Shrewsbury in an amazing game at Belle Vue that featured no fewer than eleven goals.

Anderson's arrival, with just 15 games left, saw a remarkable upturn in the Rovers' League form. Five consecutive games were won, including a tremendous home victory over Mansfield Town, who were top of the Fourth Division at the time, having lost but two League games all season. The run came to an end at Rotherham of all places, but the next two games also provided full points, and suddenly the Rovers were able to breathe a little more freely as the distance between them and the bottom of the Fourth Division lengthened.

The remaining games of the campaign saw the Rovers maintain their staggering improvement by taking six points from their last four home games and, although they lost heavily at Darlington on the last day of the season, their League survival was secured - a situation that looked highly unlikely less than three months before.

The cup competitions provided little in the way of distraction for the Rovers' suffering band of loyal supporters. The League Cup saw the Rovers eliminate Mansfield Town at Belle Vue in the first round, before losing to Bury at Gigg Lane in round two, whilst the Rovers' FA Cup hopes also ended at the same stage when, after defeating non-league Oswestry Town on their own ground, they lost, rather undeservedly, to a late goal at Chesterfield in the second round.

Leading scorers: Kitchen 21, O'Callaghan 11