Rovers finished their first league season in a very respectable fourth place, just three points behind second but a colossal fourteen points from the first ‘Invincibles’; Preston North End. North End were simply awesome that year remaining unbeaten throughout the league season although Rovers had better luck against them than most. Of their twenty two league games they won eighteen and drew four, luckily for Rovers one of those had been at Leamington Street when the highest league attendance of the season (approx. 12,000) gathered to see Rovers hold the soon-to-be double winners 2-2.

The attendances at the league games were rather inconsistent. The home game after that was against Burnley, although only just over 2,000 turned up. It seemed that two things were to come apparent, firstly that crowds would turn up en masse for the big games and secondly that seemingly meaningless games would be played in front of one man and his dog (alright, not that bad but still…). Just for the record, and I don’t like appearing superior over our neighbours to the east…actually that’s rubbish I do, however Rovers completed their first league double over Burnley in that very first Football League season. The first league game between the two sides took place at Turf Moor on November 3rd 1888. It is only because I wish to record what happened and not from any personal bias that I have to report that absolutely kicked their arses when we won 7-1, with Jack Southworth netting a hat-trick. The crowd was only 3,000 and it seems that the rivalry between the two sides was only slowly developing. The return match at Ewood in February 1889 saw Rovers win 4-2 and Southworth netted another two.

Despite local rivalries, it was the FA Cup that still held the real interest for the locals and after two disappointing campaigns Rovers eventually went on a cup run that was worthy of the name. It was to be the closest league club to present them with their first obstacle, Accrington. After a 1-1 draw away, Rovers took the Owd Reds apart; 5-0 in the replay in front of 8,000. After a bye in the second round when Swifts, the Slough club, left the competition Rovers recorded one of their great FA Cup performances at home to Aston Villa, the team who finish league runners-up that season. Rovers obliterated Villa with eight goals, including a hat trick from stand-in forward Bob Haresnape (to leave for Burnley at the end of the season) and Jack Southworth going one better by netting four as the game finished 8-1 to Rovers and take them into the semi finals for the fifth time in eight seasons.

The semi final and its replay would both took place at the home of then non-league club Crewe Alexandra against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who finished two points ahead of Rovers in third place in that inaugural league season. After a 1-1 draw, the second game saw William Townley score for Rovers but it wasn’t enough as Wolves got three of their own to go on to meet and the lose to the first double winners of the game, Preston North End. The only two sell-outs Rovers had that season had been against the Preston ‘Invincibles’ in the league and the quarter final against Villa. Although crowds were increasing they were seemingly unpredictable. As they were also being hassled for more rent from their landlord at Leamington Street, Rovers began to look around a more suitable home. They were to have one last season at the ground where they ruled the FA Cup and it was to be a great one. The FA Cup was what they wanted...