The mid-fifties
The remainder of the decade saw Rovers go into
a decline which would ultimately see them fail to win re-election to the league
in the early sixties. At the start of the 1952/53 season Rovers appointed Scotsman
John Black as player/coach. He only lasted four games before being replaced
by Jock Mc Cosh, formerly of Limerick, Drumcondra and Dundalk. Rovers squad
was now based in two different locations, Dublin and Sligo, making it difficult
to supervise training. Rovers made a disatrous start to the season losing to
Shamrock Rovers in the City Cup first round. This was followed by an equally
uninspiring Shield campaign as Rovers finished second from bottom. This wasn't
helped by the chopping and changing of the team which saw Rovers use 29 players
before the league campaign got under way.
The teams form was a little better when the league
started. As we approached the end of January Rovers were in second place behind
Shamrock Rovers. The team had not dropped a single point at home although their
away form was not as impressive. However their form nosedived at this point and
they were to win only one more game in the league all season. The dip in form
saw Rovers fade to ninth in the league at the end of the campaign. The cup proved
to be equally fruitless as Rovers drew champions elect, Shamrock Rovers in the
first round. Willie Bradley's goal gave Rovers a draw at Milltown and brought
the hoops to the Showgrounds for the replay. Shams proved to be too strong and
won the replay 2-0. Rovers were not helped by an injury to captain, Mickey Sweeney,
in the first game. The injury also robbed the Sligoman of the chance to represent
his country as he had been chosen for the squad to face Luxemburg in a World Cup
tie.
Willie Bradley and Mickey Sweeney
Rovers were in financial trouble before the start of the next season. They faced closure if they couldn't come up with £1,000 required for admittance to the league. The money was eventually raised by the formation of The Sligo Rovers Sports Association Ltd. Subscribers paid the princely sum of £5 for which they were entitled to a season ticket. Once again Rovers got off to a bad start to the season as they were knocked out of the City Cup in the first round by Transport. The Shield campaign was also a poor one with Rovers winning just three games to finish well down the table. Once again Rovers had struggled to find a player/coach and it was only after the league campaign had started that ex-Hibernian player, Jimmy Batten took over this role.
The
team got off to a disastrous start to the league campaign and lost their first
four games. This was in spite of having a decent looking team which included
such names as Mickey Sweeney, Tommy Oates, Willie Bradley, Victor Meldrum and
Johnny Armstrong. The form picked up a little bit during December and January
but Rovers were always struggling at the wrong end of the table. In the end
they finished fourth from the bottom of the league and only two points away
from having to apply for re-election. Once again Shamrock Rovers were drawn
in the FAI Cup and once again Rovers managed to draw the first game at the Showgrounds.
The draw was achieved thanks to a last minute penalty from former Austrian international,
Albert Straka, who had joined the club during the season. Shams were again too
strong in the replay and won 2-1 with Rovers goal coming from Eamonn Reddy.