The Leeds Mercury's Yorkist reported that he acquitted himself well in pre-season matches, scoring for the second team against the first eleven in a 4-2 victory in August. '[He] is only a midget (smaller than Walden), but he is very plucky, very speedy, and can centre accurately.'

After City lost the opening game at home to Fulham, regular winger Simpson Bainbridge was relegated to the reserves. Rothwell was given his debut in the next game on 5 September at Stockport, with Bob Cowen, another debutant, partnering him on the right wing.

Rothwell managed little of note in a 3-1 defeat and Bainbridge returned for the following match. The role of outside-right was a problem position for City that season with four different players tried in the first five matches, but Rothwell never appeared again for the senior team, returning to Accrington.