Ernie Swallow born July 9, 1919
Locally born Ernie first appeared for Rovers in 1943 in wartime matches, and the full-back’s performances earned him a contract for the 1946-47 when League football resumed.
He made his League debut in August 1946, by which time he was 27 having lost some of his best playing years to the war. He shared right-back duties with Harry Tomlinson as Rovers won the Division Three (North) Championship with a then-record points haul of 72.
Despite establishing himself as first choice the following season, in January 1948 he was transferred to Barnsley and later he played for Oldham Athletic.
His Rovers record was 55 senior appearances, during which time he failed to find the net. His son, Barry, played over 50 games for Rovers at the start of a long playing career. Ernie died in 1962, aged only 43.