The demise of the Rovers in the late 1980's continued in this campaign, as they ended their last season in the old Third Division by finishing rock bottom, a full twenty points from safety. The resultant relegation saw the Rovers drop to the Fourth Division, despite the best efforts of former Tottenham and Scotland star, Dave Mackay, who was installed as Team Manager after the dismissal of Dave Cusack in December 1987.

The new campaign opened with a home victory over Grimsby Town, with new signing Neville Chamberlain marking his debut with the only goal. Three successive defeats soon took the shine off that promising start, and, although the Rovers recovered somewhat with a brace of home wins in mid-September, a further disastrous run left the Rovers in the bottom four, thus setting the scene for the rest of the season.

The first away victory of the season came at Preston in November, but two weeks later, the Rovers board decided to dispense with the services of Cusack, and Dave MacKay was brought in, with former Spurs team-mate, Joe Kinnear as his assistant. Cusack was kept on as a player, although he moved on to Rotherham United within a few weeks.

Mackay's arrival saw a modest improvement in the Rovers fortunes, although they were still struggling to score goals. Tommy Gaynor had moved to Notts Forest earlier in the season, and his replacement, Lee Turnbull, had scored but a single goal in seventeen league appearances. In March, goalkeeper Andy Rhodes was transferred to Oldham Athletic for a £55,000 fee, with the Rovers recruiting Les Robinson from Stockport County in return.

The Rovers' relegation was finally sealed in late April, following a defeat at Blackpool, but there had, at least, been something to enjoy two weeks earlier, when a Chamberlain 'hat-trick' had earned them the league 'double' over Preston. But relegation, although expected from an early stage of the season, was still a bitter pill to swallow, and at the end of the season, a large number of players were released. Something needed to be done, and quickly if the Rovers were to bounce back. It remained to be seen if the combination of Mackay and Kinnear was to prove the dream ticket.

Whilst the first team laboured in their league fixtures, the re was no little excitement in the Cup games. Scarborough were beaten in the First Round of the Littlewoods Cup, before the Rovers lost out in a glamourous two-legged tie against Arsenal, whilst the FA Cup saw them lose in a First Round replay to old rivals Rotherham United. The Sherpa Van Trophy offered no solace with defeats against Mansfield Town and Hartlepool. The one saving grace of the season ws the performance of the Rovers juniors, as they fought their was through to the FA Youth Cup semi-final, before losing to Arsenal. This followed excellent victories at the expense of Plymouth, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur amongst others.

Leading scorers: Deane 10, Chamerlain 4