Season 1988/89

Length of the field try by 17 year old Paul Newlove at Halifax

After being tipped as relegation favourites at the start of the season, finishing 6^th was a highly successful outcome.  As ever, coach Peter Fox did things his way, signing 40 year old Jeff Grayshon, swapping Paul Lyman for Chris Burton plus cash, as well as playing forwards in the backs. Though as so often his judgement was proved right, the veterans stiffened the defence and complemented the attacking potential at the club.  There were a couple of heavy defeats but completing league doubles over St Helens and Hull, and victory at Leeds in the premiership first round were the highlights.  A promising challenge cup-run ended in the third round at St Helens, and defeats at Hull and Widnes ended our involvement in the other cup competitions.

Paul Newlove went straight into the first team after only a couple of “A” team appearances and demonstrated his exceptional talent by topping the try scoring.  The half-back pairing of Fox and Steadman were as good as any in the division, or in Rovers’ past.  Chris Bibb had a great year, as did new signing Trevor Clark, and underrated Alan Banks continued to demonstrate his value to the side by playing in every game.