Deans Park
| Full name | Deans Park |
|---|---|
| Founded | ? |
| Ground | ?, London, England |
| League | First Division |
Deans Park are a fictional football team that appeared in the Bristish comic Roy of the Rovers.
History
Success in the 1970s
Deans Park was located in London club. Long-serving manager Ron Whittaker led Deans to the First Divison for the first time in a generation, winning promotion in 1974/75. That squad included young Dennis "Chippy" Croker in his first season. Later he would become a record holder in Britain a legend for the club.
Having achieved his goal, Whittaker was underwhelming in the top flight and was replaced by the eccentric Brian Davidson early in 75/76. Davidson was a wind-up merchant and took great delight in boasting of his new side's prowess. Wearing his lucky brightly coloured tweed jacket he had transformed Deans Park into title challengers. Through to the F.A. Cup Quarter Finals, Deans were in with a shout of the Double! Park were in amazing form going into the big cup tie, thrashing league leaders Tynecaster 6-1.
However in an amazing match against an equally in-form Melchester Rovers, Davidson's luck would run out. Roy Race scored twice in a 3-1 win and Davidson's lucky jacket was stolen. Without his inspiration Deans would fade eventually finishing fourth in 75/76. But still the trio of Davidson the manager, Mike Grundy sweeping up at the back and Croker's insatiable appetite for goals had surprised everyone with such a strong display in their debut season in the top flight.
Thanks to Davidson and Croker's goals Deans Park were now an established First Division side. While they rarely challenged at the top, relegation was never a threat. In fact it is probably fair to say that Deans Park were a one man team. And it would take the arrival of another Croker to get Deans back at the top end of the table.
1980s
The stability of the late 70s, continued through the 80s, under the guidance of new manager Ken Marsh. A couple of stars emerged, winger Titch Norris and goalkeeper Jim Elliott. Elliott would keep his place in the Park goal well into his veteran years.
1990s
In the early 90s, a strong, quick young forward was brought into the first-team - Matthew Croker, son of Chippy! Matt's goals, often spectacular, fired Deans Park to the top of the table. But approaching transfer deadline day, Melchester Rovers, who were flexing their financial muscles, poached Croker for an undisclosed fee.[1] Croker signed for Rovers on 21st March 1992 just before the transfer deadline. Without their talisman, Park's title challenge would fade into a disappointing fifth place finish.
Now London's top performing club, surely Deans Park would take advantage of the new riches of the Premier League and challenge for the title. But has the emergence of big-spending London rivals Kelburn scuppered Deans' hopes of glory.
Dennis "Chippy" Croker's record
Deans Park will always be associated with one man - Dennis "Chippy" Croker. The loudmouth television presenter of Goals Galore is Park's all time record goalscorer and capped player. Holder of the British record for most league and cup goals scored, until 1991/92 when Roy Race finally overtook the former England striker. In 91/92 Roy was part way through his on going feud Chippy Croker. Chippy had set Roy a wager of £10,000 that he couldn't beat his goalscoring record and he had declared that Roy was over the hill and finally in 1992 he scored his 436th league goal and broke Chippy's record.
Chippy was nicknamed for his trademark lobbed finishes that saw him dominate defences for two decades, netting a remarkable 435 goals.
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1991/92 season. Info may be incomplete.
League
- First Division: '
- Fourth: 1975-76
- Fifth: 1991-92
Cups
- FA Cup:
- Semifinals: 1975-76
Colours and kits
During the 1980s Deans would wear a strange variety of strips and colours: red and white in 82/83, white and green in 84/85, white and blue in 85/86. But then in the early 90s, now in a striking red and white shirts and black shorts.
Rivalries
Kelburn were another London based club.
Stadium
Seasons
- 1975-76: ROTR Div1
- 1980-81: ROTR Div1
- 1981-82: ROTR Div1
- 1982-83: ROTR Div1
- 1985-86: ROTR Div1
- 1986-87: ROTR Div1
- 1988-89: ROTR Div1
- 1989-90: ROTR Div1
- 1991-92: ROTR Div1
- 1992-93: ROTR Div1
Notable players
Dennis "Chippy" Croker- Jim Elliott
- Titch Norris
- Matthew Croker
Notable managers
- Ron Whittaker
- Brian Davidson
- Ken Marsh
