Danefield United
| Full name | Danefield United | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | ? | |
| Ground | ? , Danefield, England | |
| Manager | Viktor Boskovic (1985-86) | |
| League | First Division (1985-86) | |
|
| ||
Danefield United are a fictional football team in the Bristish comic Roy of the Rovers, which first appeared in 1976.
History[edit]
1975-1978: Success and relegation[edit]
United won the league in 75/76 and qualified for European Cup. On, February 19, 1977, Danefield United's Johnny 'Hard Man' Dexter is recalled to the England squad, but then puts that place in jeopardy when he loses his temper while being interviewed on a sports programme. Danefield under Boskovic managed to win the European Cup in 76/77.
Then Boskovic lest and Dexter was sold to spanish Real Granpala. Manager Harry Telfer took over in 77/78, but there was no success. Bobby Crane replaced the popular Harry Telfer as manager on the eve of the 1977/78 season and finally United finished at the bottom of First Division and relegated.
1978-1982: Return of Boskovic, Dexter and glory again[edit]
The arrival of Viktor Boskovic as manager and return of Hard Man captain Johnny Dexter early in the 1978/79 season was the turning point in the history of Danefield United. Boskovic, probably the greatest manager in the world and Dexter, one of the top five midfield players, soon brought glory.
Boskovic made an immediate impact, his intense training sessions, upsetting two established first team players. Don McIntyre and Terry Winston were given transfers. It was the first of many important decisions Boskovic would not shirk. The next was to promote a young right-back from the reserves. Danny Churchill, tall and quick, gifted going forward as well as in the tackle, was given his chance. The number 2 shirt would remain on his back for years, as his confident displays were enough to earn England caps in the early 80s. Bob Baker, the current England right winger, signed for a big fee. Eastgate goalie, Andy Watson joined soon after for a massive £350,000. Boskovic had swiftly assembled an exceptionally gifted team.
Promotion in 78/79 was secured with a third place finish and Danefield were soon challenging for honours. Kevin Taylor, Dexter and Baker were England regulars. Watson, Churchill and Parker would soon receive call-ups. But it was Boskovic who made United tick. Fluid attacking football, balanced with tough, organised defence. The tactics were perfectly suited to the F.A. Cup and in his first full season in charge, Boskovic took United to Wembley: Kelburn were beaten 5-3 in a classic Cup Final and Viktor has now set his sights on the title! Danefield's diamond formation was the key to success. Dexter's all-action midfield displays worked alongside the wingplay of Baker and Mindford, which supplied goals for the front three of Carter, Parker and targetman Taylor. At the back, veteran former captain Dick Kirkbride formed a solid partnership with Jerry Winstanley. While Churchill's raiding runs up the right were balanced by the unspectacular Scotsman Jock Findlay at left-back. But again Boskovic had spotted as weakness before his competitors.
In pre-season for 79/80 after the cup win, Gerry Carlisle was signed from the Fourth Division. A ball-playing defender who was confident stepping up into midfield, Carlisle's positional interchanges with Dexter added a new dimension to United. A long title battle was played out alongside a promising first European campaign. Italian giants Canazaro would end United's Cup Winner's Cup run in the 3rd Round. A dramatic penalty shootout saw the experienced Kirkbride miss the vital kick. Distraught, the defender retired with immediate effect. Boskovic saw the decision as a blessing and brought Winstanley back into the backline. While Kirkbride's physical presence would be missed, Winstanley's greater mobility and passing ability again meant United adapted.
In 80/81 Everpool were the main challengers in the league. Going into the final weekend of the season, The Blues were level on points with Danefield, a win for United against Walford, however would secure the title. And what a performance, when it really mattered, Boskovic's men ran out 3-0 winners and a first league title was secured in.
The following season 81/82 they played in European Cup and won it again beating italian Tovento in the final.
1982-1985: FA Cup win and end of an era[edit]
United as cup holders in first round 1982-1983 they were knocked out from German Dortburg in the European Cup. On 29 January 1983 Viktor Boskovic had resigned and vanished United were having a bad season.[1]
In 84/85 European Cup won the FA Cup again. During a pre-season tour of the continent in summer 1985 rising star named Bobby Williams took Dexter’s first team place and when Johnny returned for pre-season training he put in a transfer request, which Viktor accepted. Somewhat bizarrely considering his status as a former England international, the only club to make a bid for Johnny was the worst club in the Football League, Burnside Athletic, who had finished bottom of the Fourth Division in three of the previous four seasons.
Johnny was granted a free transfer and appeared in the “Hard Man” strip and for Daniefield United for the last time on 10 August 1985. Soon after, Boskovic joined Dexter in Burnside Athletic. Daniefield United supposedly played in the Cup Winners Cup in 85/86.
Honours[edit]
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1984/85 season as mentioned on the strip. Info may be incomplete.
League[edit]
- Premier League (including (Old) First Division): '
- 1976, 1981, 1984
Cups[edit]
- FA Cup:
- 1979, 1985
- League Cup:
European[edit]
- European Cup:
- 1977, 1982
Colours and kits[edit]
The club colours were red and white resembling to Ajax' jerseys.
Stadium[edit]
Transfer fees[edit]
Some of the fees United paid or received:
- £600,000 received for Dexter from Real Granpala in 1977
- £350,000 paid for Andy Watson to Eastgate in 1978
Notable players[edit]
Johnny Dexter- Bob Baker
- Andy Watson
- Kevin Taylor
- Dick Kirkbride
- Jerry Winstanley
- Don McIntyre
- Terry Winston
- Bobby Williams
Jock Findlay
Notable managers[edit]
Viktor Boskovic- Bobby Crane
- Harry Telfer
