History of Bristol Rovers F.C. - The 1970s

The 1970s

The furthest Bristol Rovers have ever progressed in the league cup is the quarter-finals. This was achieved twice in consecutive seasons – 1970–71 and 1971–72. On the first occasion, Rovers lost their quarter-final match against Aston Villa 1–0 in a replay at Villa Park, having drawn 1–1 at Eastville. The following season they lost 4–2 at home to Stoke City, in front of a crowd of 33,624 at the same stage of the competition.

In July 1972, Rovers appointed Don Megson as their new manager. His first task as manager was to guide the team through the Watney Cup, where the team beat Wolves and Burnley to reach the final of the competition at Eastville. On 5 August 1972, Rovers faced Sheffield United in the final in a match that was drawn 0–0 at full time. A penalty shoot-out was held to decide the winners, and Rovers won 7–6, meaning that Megson had won a trophy after only three matches as manager. Also that season, Rovers made good progress in the League Cup. In the third round they played a Manchester United side that included Bobby Charlton and George Best and drew 1–1 at Eastville, earning a replay at Old Trafford. Rovers won the replay 2–1 and progressed to play Wolves in the fourth round, but failed to make it to a third consecutive quarter-final after losing 4–0.

For the 1973–74 season, Rovers had switched back to their blue and white quartered shirts, which they have worn ever since. This coincided with a promotion-winning season, with second place in division 3 earning them a second spell in the second division. On their way to promotion, the team won 8–2 away to Brighton & Hove Albion, managed by Brian Clough, the only 8–2 away win ever recorded in the third division. This was also the only league game where two Bristol Rovers players scored hat-tricks in the same match, with Alan Warboys scoring 4 and Bruce Bannister 3.

Although the revered Warboys and Bannister strikeforce would be broken up, Rovers remained in the Second Division for the remainder of the decade.

Rovers' heaviest post-war league defeat came during the 1977–78 season, when they lost 9–0 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Shortly after this result, manager Don Megson left the club to join the Portland Timbers in the NASL.

On 24 October 1978, Rovers played a friendly against the Zambian national team at Eastville, where the touring side were beaten 4–1.

Honours

• Watney Cup – 1972–73
• Gloucestershire Cup – 1973–74 and 1974–75