Jimmy Slade
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jimmy Slade | ||
| Date of birth | Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "?". 1956Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "?".Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "?". | ||
| Place of birth | ? , England | ||
| Date of death | 19 July 1986 | ||
| Place of death | Basran, Middle East | ||
| Height | [convert: needs a number] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder, Defender | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| -1973 | District Amateur League | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1973-1986 | Melchester Rovers | ||
| National team | |||
| 1978- ? | England | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
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Jimmy Slade was a fictional footballer who appeared in the comic strips in the British boys' comic Roy of the Rovers during the 1970s, 80s. He was a midfielder, defneder, playing for Melchester Rovers and the England national team. He first appeared in the strip in 1973 and died in 1986.
Career
Club
Jimmy first appeared in the Roy of the Rovers story on 16th June 1973. Melchester Rovers had just won the European Cup and had agreed to play in a match to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Melchester and District Amateur League. 17-year-old Jimmy was initially on the substitutes bench for the amateur league's representative team but tricked his way onto the pitch and ended up flattening Rovers midfielder Andy Croydon with a clumsy, blatant foul. Tony Storme with his first task as Rovers' manager signed Jimmy on as an full professional. Jimmy went straight into the team for the first game of the season against Cashford taking the midfield role over from the player Jimmy had injured Andy Croydon with a foul tackle: ironically it was Slade chosen as his replacement!
Although Jimmy appeared to be a hot headed tearaway, Roy was sure it was down to the influence of his Scrap dealer guardian Reg Gunter. Roy could see Jimmy's enormous potential and persisted in trying to win round the youngster. Reg Gunter soon ended up in trouble with the police and Roy was appointed as Jimmy's temporary guardian, with Jimmy moving into Roy's house.
He won a European Cup-Winners Cup medal in 1985 when Rovers beat Real Santana on penalties but lost his regular place in the first team during the 1985/1986 season.
International
Jimmy went on to become an English International and was part of the England team which Roy managed in January 1978 against Holland. That was his first cap (under Roy Race) and became a regular England squad memeber in the early 80s. Was considered for 1986 World Cup selection by Bobby Robson, but indiscipline meant it never happened.
Death
Jimmy was tragically killed in July 1986 when eight of the Rovers were innocent victims of a bungled act of terrorism in war-torn Basran, at the age of 30.[1][2]
Style of play
Vic played as centre-midfielder and left back for Rovers. Slade was initially a dynamic midfielder, a good tackler, but also creative. Also used in a more defensive role in the late 70s, either as a centre-back or left-back. Returned to his central midfield position in 80/81, and would remain a key player for the rest of his life.
Legacy
Slade was one of the favourite players of Rovers. In 2014 he was chosen as the second best player ever by the football comic heroes blog, a spectular pick for a non titular character.[3]
Personal life
Honours
All of these records are fictional of course, and only date as far as 2000, the last fully completed season of the comic strip.
League
- First Division: 2'
- 1977, 1980
- Second Division: 1'
- 1982
Cups
- FA Cup: 2
- 1974, 1984
- League Cup: 1
- 1986
- FA Charity/Community Shield: 2
- 1974, 1977 (shared)
European
- European Cup: 1
- Winners: 1973
- Runner-Up (2): 1978, 1975
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:2
- 19875, 1985
- UEFA Cup: 1
- 1979
International
- Summer International Tournaments:
- Australia 1978, Crete 1980, Scotland 1981
