History of Bristol Rovers F.C. - The 1960s

The 1960s

The biggest comeback in the history of Bristol Rovers came on 29 August 1960, when Rovers trailed Leeds United 4–0 at half time at Eastville. Rovers then scored four goals in the second half, resulting in a 4–4 draw.

The 1960–61 season was the debut of the Football League Cup, and Rovers are credited with being the first winners of a game in this competition. On 26 September 1960, Rovers beat Fulham 2–1 at Eastville in front of a crowd of 20,022. Although other first round games were played on the same evening, the Rovers v Fulham game kicked off early at 7:15 pm, meaning that this was the first result in the competition.

For the 1962–63 season, Rovers abandoned their now familiar blue and white quarters in favour of blue pinstripes. Also in this season, the club signed goalkeeper Esmond Million from Middlesbrough for £5,000. In April 1963, The People newspaper ran a story alleging that Million had accepted a bribe to lose the match against Bradford (Park Avenue) on 20 April. During the game he had allowed a backpass to slip past him and allowed a cross to go, enabling Bradford to score twice. Unfortunately for Million, Rovers also scored twice so the game ended 2–2 and Million did not receive the money he had been offered to lose the game. Million and his accomplice, Keith Williams, were fined £50 each by Doncaster Magistrates' Court, and banned from football for life by The FA.

On 14 December 1963, during a 4–0 victory over Bristol City, Geoff Bradford scored his final goal for Bristol Rovers. This was his 242nd league goal for the club, which still stands as a club record, and he scored a total of 355 goals for the club in all competitions and reserve team games.

Honours

• Gloucesterhsire Cup
  • Won – 1962–63, 1964–65 and 1965–66
  • Shared – 1963–64 and 1967–68