Bradford's goals were key to Bristol Rovers' fine month

By September 1955, Bristol Rovers were becoming accustomed to life in Division Two, where they were joined by neighbours Bristol City, who likewise had hit the ground running.

Under manager Bert Tann, the Pirates entered the month undefeated with a draw and three successive wins to their name, including 4-2 victories over both Stoke City and Doncaster Rovers.

This impressive run came to an end in the club's first ever League visit to Hillsborough, where Sheffield Wednesday ran out 4-2 winners.

With goals from Geoff Bradford and Josser Watling, the latter's only strike of the 1955/56 season, it continued a run of four matches with a Bristolian finding the back of the net.

Four days later, on September 7, all things were put right, at Anfield of all places, where Liverpool, complete with Geoff Twentyman Snr in their side, were dealt a defeat by way of Alfie Biggs and Bradford grabbing a goal each in front of over 38,320 fans.

Nottingham Forest, under the guidance of inspirational manager Billy Walker, were then struggling to get out of Division Two and it came as no surprise that when they arrived at Eastville on September 10, the home side would take advantage.

Biggs and Bradford were again the scorers with a brace each in the 4-1 rout, giving the latter figures of nine goals from six outings.

The long trek up to struggling Hull City was made with great expectation andBradford continued his scoring streak with another double in a 2-1 win that put Rovers on 13 points from their first eight games

The biggest scalp of September was Blackburn Rovers, who came to Eastville with a plethora of talent including former England internationals Bill Eckersley and Bobby Langton, plus future stars of the national side in Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton.

The match was settled by Peter Sampson, who netted the game's only goal to give the Rovers' supporters among the 29,489 something to cheer.

Meanwhile, City were making good headway too. Back in Division Two for the first time 24 years, had lost just once going into September.

This was halted when Leeds United, complete with John Charles at centre-half, came to Ashton Gate on September 3 and took a 1-0 win.

Against West Ham three days later, John Atyeo and Arnold Rodgers were joined on the scoresheet by the Hammers' Noel Cantwell with an own goal as City won 3-1.

The following Saturday, City were hit by free-scoring Fulham at Craven Cottage, who could call upon the likes of Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson, Charlie Mitton, Johnny Haynes and prolific goalscorer Bedford Jezzard.

It was the latter two who did the business for the home side with Jezzard netting twice in a 3-0 win.

Bury were next at Ashton Gate and Atyeo did the damage with his first League hat-trick since February 1954.

The final match in September 1955 brought together the two champions of the North and South sections of the Third Division when City travelled to Barnsley. The game ended goalless.