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Melchester Rovers

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Melchester Rovers
Full nameMelchester Rovers
Founded1885
GroundMel Park, Melchester, England
Capacity56.000 (all seated)
LeagueFA Premier League


Melchester Rovers are a fictional football team with whom Roy Race spent most of his illustrious career in the British comic strip Roy of the Rovers, which first appeared in Tiger at its inception in 1954.[1]

Also, the Racey's Rocket comic strip was published in ROTR in 1984-85 and lasted from 01/09/84 to 19/01/85, featuring Melchester Rovers (although the story was about car racing).[2] The Apprentices (replaced The Marks Brothers story) was published in ROTR from 11/06/83 to 25/08/84 and featured the Melchester Rovers Youth Team as did the The Son of Racey strip (28/10/89 to 12/05/90).

“The Roy of the Rovers” newspaper strip, published in the Today newspaper between 1986 and 1995, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, seems largely forgotten. Also, the ROTR strip ran in the Daily Star in the late 1980s, written by Tom Tully, drawn by Yvonne Hutton.[3]

History

Early years

Formed by workers at the Crib Lane Freight Company on the River Mel. Alderman Jonathan Drake was so impressed with the team's enthusiasm and spirit he agreed to buy some vacant ground close by called Reckton Park.

According to the comic strip's continuity, Melchester Rovers were founded in 1885 winning at least three League Championships and a number of FA Cups during the pre-war years of their existence. The club turned professional in 1900 and entered the Second division of the Southern League.

He was also instrumental in acquiring the current Mel Park site and the club entered the second division of the Southern League in 1900. Rovers' first ever match in the Football League was on 3d September 1902 in the Division Two against Elbury Wanderers. In 1903 Rovers won the Division Two championship.

Centre-forward Bullet Johnson scored Rovers' first ever goal in the top flight after the club's first promotion in 1903. But they were soon struggling near the foot of the table and in order to stay up Rovers made a massive transfer: one of the first biggest names Rovers wigned was famous Scottish centre-half Jock Cameron for 2,000 pounds, a large fee at the time. Cameron was made captain and Rovers avoided the relegation. At the end of that season Rovers went on their first Continental tour and won all their games with big scores, winning a silver cup in the summer of 1904. In that 1903-04 they reached the FA Cup semifinal where they lost to Portdean City in extra time.

Steve Wilson was the club's first English international in the following season (there was Scottish Cameron and Welsh player Taff Morgan too that gained caps in that season) where a part of the stand was unfortunately burnt out and the players lost their kits. Rovers had to leave their first ground and found a new site, building the Melchester Stadium, now known as Mel Park. Alderman Jonathan Drake was also instrumental in acquiring the current Mel Park site.

Rovers then played in the 1907 FA Cup final beating Eastfield Wanderers with skipper Jock Cameron scoring the winning goal with a header from Taffy Jones' corneck kick.

Rovers kit in the 1907 FA Cup final

In the 1912/13 season Rovers were inflicted their record deafeat by Eastfield (1-9).

1920s

Rovers went from the Third Division to the First under Legendary trainer/manager Jimmy Leather.

1930s

In 1932 Rovers managed to win their first title under manager George Armstrong. Some great players of that championship winning team in the 1930s included forward Benson, centre-forward Albert Goodall and Welsh winger Taffy Morgan. In the Playing Years, its mentioned that under manager George Armstrong Rovers won 3 championships in a row in the 1930s (so must also be 1933, 1934) and played 4 FA Cup finals, in the 1930s.

1940s

In the last game of 1948/49 season Rovers were second behind leaders North Ham Wanderers and needed only a win to get the title. However they drew 3-3 at home with captain centre forward Bob Miller of North Ham Wanderers scoring a hat-trick and finished runners up.

After that game Miller crashed his car which wrecked his leg so he couldn't play again. Miller, (also known as ‘’Cannonball’’) had to quit football due a serious injury.

1950s

In 1950, there was a record atteandance at Mel Park against Prestwich North End with 68,000 spactators in the 6th round of the FA Cup. In 1954, however, the first Roy of the Rovers strip appeared, telling the story of the club and its star striker Roy Race (whose grandfather, Billy Race, had played for the club in the early part of the 20th Century). Melchester finally became League Champions in 1958, and won the FA Cup the following season, by which time Race was captain.

Rovers' badge.

1960s

It was in the 1960s, however, that Rovers became a footballing force to be reckoned with. The decade brought three league titles, two FA Cups, two European Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and one Intercontinental Cup. It wasn't a decade without its problems, though, and in an example of the topsy-turvy nature of the history that would follow, Rovers only narrowly avoided relegation at the end of 1967, the same year they won the Cup Winners' Cup.

1970s

In 1972, Rovers achieved their first – and currently only – League and Cup "Double", and later that year, long-serving team manager Ben Galloway was promoted upstairs to General Manager, with former Rovers winger Tony Storme taking over team affairs. His tenure began well, with a third European Cup win in 1973 against Corados of Portugal (2-0), and Rovers began the next season with an all-new, modern strip and a strong sense of optimism. Poor results and a spate of injuries, however, meant a demoralising first half of the season, with many of the team believing the new kit was "jinxed". Happily, this was overcome, and despite a disappointing league season, achieved their first domestic cup double, winning the League Cup in addition to another FA Cup. In 1975, though, a humiliating defeat in the 3rd Round of the Cup to non-league minnows Sleeford Town (1-2) led to the disappearance of manager Tony Storme. Roy Race took over as player-manager, and kept the post when Storme came out of hiding some months later and made his retirement official. Race's Melchester won a trophy at their first attempt, the 1975 Cup Winners' Cup v Niarkos of Greece (2-0).

The first title under Roy came two years later, in 1977, the season in which a supermarket chain offered a (then) staggering £30,000 to the first player in England to score 50 League and Cup goals. The competition went down to the last day of the season, and was won by Mervyn Wallace, despite many fans' belief that Race himself had got the last touch on what would have been his 50th goal. Controversy reigned in 1978, when it was rumoured that Race was due to accept a £1million offer to take over as team manager of Middle-Eastern state Basran. Rovers' form slumped, and Ben Galloway temporarily took back over as manager. However, once the rumours were quashed, Roy was reinstated and Rovers pulled themselves out of the relegation zone, the 1978–79 season ending in style with a UEFA Cup win.

1980s

Martin Kemp and Steve Norman of pop group Spandau Ballet played for Rovers in the 1980s. The 1980s were full of drama with many events of a "soap opera" style, the sort that would eventually inspire series like Sky One's Dream Team. Melchester Rovers were League Champions in 1979–80 but were relegated to Division Two by one goal just one year later in 1980. It was the first time Rovers were demoted to the Second division since 1929, a massive shock for the fans.

The 1981–82 season saw a potential tragedy when Roy was shot by a jealous actor, Elton Blake, who was due to play him in a TV series about the club. Rovers set a new league goal-scoring record – 14–0 against Keysborough – an event that saw Roy recover from his coma when the commentary was played in the hospital. Sir Alf Ramsey managed the club during this period and helped Rovers to set a new league record of 34 games undefeated and comfortably win the Second Division. Roy recovered to start the 1982–83 season where Mel Park becomes Britain's first all-seater stadium.

However, in April 1983 Roy sensationally quit Melchester after a row with Rovers chairman Sam Barlow and signed for Walford Rovers. Blackie Gray was appointed new player-manager, but his reign was short-lived, as Roy returned in December 1983 and led an injury-ravaged Rovers to an unlikely FA Cup win over Walford. They followed up this dramatic FA Cup win with an equally dramatic European Cup-Winners' Cup victory on penalties against Real Santana of Spain in 1985 (Rovers would not reappear in Europe for another five years due to English clubs being banned). The following season was an eventful one, as Roy shook up the team by signing retired players turned TV pundits Bob Wilson and Emlyn Hughes, as well as two members of pop group Spandau Ballet.

In August 1984 Legendary Yorkshire and England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott was appointed Melchester Rovers chairman. The surprise announcement was made before a pre-season friendly against local rivals Melboro’, when a helicopter landed in the centre-circle and out stepped the occupier of the crease to remark: “Hello lads, this is a real special day for me.”

Rovers won the Milk Cup, beating Tynecaster 3–0 and set a new league record of 12 consecutive games without conceding a goal, but in the close season, the club faced its biggest tragedy ever when a terrorist bomb in Basran killed eight team members – Noel Baxter, Vic Guthrie, Steve Naylor, Carl Hunt, Neville Jones, Kenny Logan, Jimmy Slade and Trevor Cassidy. Roy dedicated Rovers' 2–1 League Cup Final win over Stambridge City in 1987 to those players. 1987–88 saw the club become League Champions once again, but they were fighting relegation in 1988–89 during a season that saw them play most of their home matches at Wembley Stadium after massive local subsidence during a match led to Mel Park being closed for major reconstruction. Rovers avoided relegation with a 3–1 win over Melboro' in the season's final match.

Melchester Rovers in 1986-87.

1990s

Rovers started the decade well by winning the 1990 FA Cup Final, 2–1 against Weston Villa. They were League Champions in 1991–92 while Roy set a new league goal-scoring record, notching up his 436th goal to win a charity bet with former record-holder and now TV pundit "Chippy" Croker (an obvious analogue for Jimmy Greaves). 1992–93 saw a season of turmoil when Roy resigned as manager live on Sky TV. He returned before the end of the season, but on the way to scout a promising youth player, crashed his helicopter and was left in a coma and badly injured. He recovered in time for the 1993–94 season, but learned that his left foot had been amputated. Recovering, he left England to become manager of Italian side AC Monza. With his departure, Rovers' fortunes became bleaker, occasional moments of brilliance from players such as Roy's son "Rocky" Race and the Nigerian Paul "Del" Ntende shining among the troubles, which included now-manager Blackie Gray resigning after receiving death threats, and the club only narrowly avoiding relegation in the 1993/94 season, with Rocky scoring a last-minute goal to save them.

However, soon after that match a Melchester Director was found guilty of attempting to bribe the opposition to throw the game. They won the FA Cup in 1995 but, after the death of Rocky's mother Penny in a car crash in Italy, Rocky Race quit Rovers to join fierce local rivals Melborough. 1995–96 was a complete disaster for Rovers as more top players left after a bribery scandal shamed the club, and they were relegated at the end of the season into Division One. In 1996–97, Roy Race Sr. returned to manage the club, and arrived in time to save the Rovers from an impending second successive relegation. In 1997–98, Rovers finished the season fourth in Division One but won in the play-offs to gain promotion back to the Premier League. Following Rocky's transfer back to the club, they won the 1999 FA Cup in extra time, and the turnaround was complete in 1999–2000, when they won the Premier League title on the last day of the season, their first top-flight title in eight years and their most recent to date. The following season, Race was finally able to buy out the club's owners, the Vitner brothers, and the club began to look forward to the new millennium, with a planned move to an exciting new stadium under the ownership of their greatest hero.

In 1994, the ‘FA Luna Premiership’ clubs was produced when Roy of the Rovers Monthly was launched and also the club's kits.[4] FA Luna Premiership map 1994-95.

Milestones

1900s

  • 1900-01: The club turns professional and joins the Second division of the Southern League.
  • 1902-03: Rovers' first ever match in the Football League in the Division Two against Elbury Wanderers. At the end of season Rovers win the Division Two championship.
  • 1903-04: Centre-forward Bullet Johnson scored Rovers' first ever goal in the top flight after the club's first promotion in 1903. Mid-season famous Scottish centre-half Jock Cameron joins for 2,000 pounds, a club record at the time. At the end of that season Rovers went on their first Continental tour
  • 1906-07: Roves win the FA Cup beating Eastfield Wanderers with skipper Jock Cameron scoring the winning goal

1910s

  • 1912-13: Rovers experience their record deafeat by Eastfield (1-9).

1930s

  • 1931-32: Rover win the First Division for first time.

1950s

  • 1954-1955: Roy appears on the front cover of the first issue of Tiger 'The Sport and Adventure Picture Story Weekly' on 11th September 1954. He is subsequently signed on for Melchester Rovers by talent scout Alf Leeds. Roy Race and his school pal, Blackie Gray, make their debuts for Melchester reserves.
  • 1955-1956: Roy and Blackie make their first team debuts, in 3-3 draw, against Elbury Wanderers (Roy scores twice).
  • 1956-1957: Rovers finish fourth in the League their highest post war finish.
  • 1957-1958: League Champions
  • 1958-1959: Roy is appointed captain of Melchester Rovers who become FA Cup Winners, 3-2 against Langton United (Roy 2).
  • 1959-1960: Bobby Charlton starts to write the Roy of the Rovers story on 13th February 1960. League Champions

1960s

  • 1961-1962: Italian club Stadia Baton offer £85,000 for Roy. Rovers play first competitive game in Europe against Schonved of Hungary and lose 2-1
  • 1962-1963: Roy makes his England debut against South American side Caragua. England win 3-1 (Roy 2).

League Champions

  • 1963-1964: European Cup Winners, 3-2 against Neifruno of Italy (Roy 1).
  • 1964-1965: World Club Cup Winners, 2-1 against Bagota of South America (Roy 2).
  • 1965-1966: Rovers knocked out of European Cup by part-timers Trondheim from Norway and out of League Cup by Fourth Division side Midbury Town. FA Cup Winners, 2-1 against Eastoke United (Roy 1).
  • 1966-1967: European Cup Winners 2-1 against Alcero of Portugal (Roy 2). Rovers win last League game of the season, 7-0 against Melboro, to avoid relegation.
  • 1967-1968: Roy scores his 300th goal for Rovers and breaks a 30-year-old club scoring record. League Champions. Most League Points (2 for a win) in club's history.
  • 1968-1969

European Cup Winners, 3-1 against Santova Rapid of Portugal. Roy scores Rovers' second goal. Roy with the European Cup being held aloft by his team mates. Ken Millar and Terry West grab the others and a dazed Blackie Gray scores one for the opposition!

  • 1969-1970: World Club Cup Winners, 2-1 against Sao Madro Nacional of South America (Roy 2). Roy selected for England in the 1970 World Cup, Mexico. FA Cup Winners 4-1 against Seaford Athletic (Roy 1).

1970s

  • 1970-1971: European Cup-Winners' Cup Winners, 2-1 against Standard Wasserdam of Belgium (Roy 1).
  • 1971-1972: League Champions. FA Cup Winners, 3-2 against Cranville United.
  • 1972-1973: European Cup Winners 2-0 against Corados of Portugal (Roy 1). Roy and Blackie play for England in 2-1 win against Italy (Roy 1).
  • 1973-1974: League Cup Winners, 1-0 against Highwood (Roy 1). FA Cup Winners, 2-0 against Burndean (Roy 2).
  • 1974-1975: Roy appointed player-manager. European Cup-Winners Cup Winners, 2-0 against Niarkos of Greece (Roy 2).
  • 1975-1976: Roy scores hat-trick for England in 3-0 win against France in the European Nations Cup. Roy on his wedding day with Penny

Roy marries Ben Galloway's secretary Penny Laine. (Only after a football match earlier in the day of course!)

  • 1976-1977:Rovers equal league record of 29 games unbeaten. League Champions. Roy becomes father of twins Roy jnr. and Melinda.
  • 1977-1978: Roy takes over as caretaker-manager of England and after defeating Holland 5-1 turns down the full-time job. Roy on England duty, flanked by Trevor Francis and Malcolm McDonald.

Rovers beaten 3-2 by Alkhoven of Holland in the European Cup Final (Roy 1).

  • 1978-1979: Roy offered £1 million to become National Coach of Basran in the Middle East. Roy equals record for the fastest ever goal, scoring in just four seconds against Kelburn in the FA Cup. UEFA Cup Winners 3-1 on aggregate against Rassburg of West Germany (Roy 2). Club record FA Cup Victory with 8-0 v Kelburn, 4th January 1979.
  • 1979-1980: League Champions

1980s

  • 1980-1981: Rovers relegated to Division Two for the first time since 1929.
  • 1981-1982: Roy is shot! Rovers set a new league goal-scoring record 14-0 against Keysborough. Rovers set new league record 34 games undefeated. Roy writes a weekly page in the Reading FC programme. Second Division Champions
  • 1982-1983: Roy's daughter Diana is born. Mel Park becomes Britain's first all-seater stadium. Roy resigns and joins Walford Rovers as player-manager. Roy reminiscing just before he signs for Walford Rovers.
  • 1983-1984: Blackie Gray is appointed player-manager of Melchester Rovers. Roy is reinstated as player-manager at Melchester. FA Cup Winners, 2-1 against Walford Rovers (Roy 1).
  • 1984-1985: Roy captains England against France in 1-1 draw (Roy 1). Roy sponsors Pompey striker Alan Biley. Roy writes for the Manchester City Magazine Junior Blues. European Cup-Winners' Cup Winners, 2-2 against Real Santana of Spain (Roy) Rovers win 5-3 on penalties (Roy 1).
  • 1985-1986: Bobby Robson names Roy in his England squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Rovers set new league record of 12 consecutive games without conceding a goal. Milk Cup Winners, 3-0 against Tynecaster .
  • 1986-1987: A terrorist bomb in Basran kills eight team members. They are: Noel Baxter, Vic Guthrie, Steve Naylor, Carl Hunt, Neville Jones, Kenny Logan, Jimmy Slade and Trevor Cassidy. Littlewoods Cup Winners, 2-1 against Stambridge City (Roy 2). Roy scores both goals in England's 2-0 victory over Turkey in the European Championships.
  • 1987-1988: As part of the club's drive against hooliganism, Rovers' new family enclosure is opened. League Champions
  • 1988-1989: Mel Park suffers an earthquake and subsides. Rovers play their 'home' games at Wembley Stadium. Rovers beat Melboro 3-1 in the last game of the season to avoid relegation (Roy 2).
  • 1989-1990: FA Cup Winners, 2-1 against Weston Villa (Roy 1).

1990s

  • 1990-1991: Roy jnr. signs pro forms with Rovers. Roy rejects offer of $8 million five-year contract to become manager of the 1994 USA World Cup team. Most League Points (3 for a win) in club's history.
  • 1991-1992: League Champions, Roy sets new league goal-scoring record, notching up his 436th goal.

Roy appointed player-manager of England 'B' team and wins a four-nation tournament v USA, France and Segovia.

  • 1992-1993: Roy resigns as manager live on Sky TV. Roy is reinstated as player-manager. Roy crashes his helicopter and is critically injured and in a coma. The last edition of the Roy of the Rovers comic is published on 23rd March 1993.

The last ever issue of the Roy of the Rovers comic - with a black cover to mark the occasion 1993-1994. Roy of the Rovers Monthly is published in September 1993 and runs for 19 issues. Out of the coma, Roy learns that his left foot has been amputated. Roy recovers and leaves hospital to become manager of Italian side AC Monza. His son 'Rocky', continues his father's tradition as 'Roy of the Rovers', scoring on his Melchester debut. The last issue of the Roy of the Rovers Monthly is produced in March 1995. A late winner from Rocky ensures premiership survival for the Rovers. However, soon after that match a Melchester Director is found guilty of attempting to bribe the opposition to throw the game.

  • 1994-1995: Roy of the Rovers - The Playing Years is published, charting the playing career of Roy Race from 1954 to 1993. The book is launched in conjunction with an exhibition: the 'Bible' of Roy of the Rovers publications - "The Playing Years". Please visit the Shop for details of how to purchase this book.

A further tragedy shatters the Race family as Roy's wife Penny is killed in a car crash. The true circumstances of the crash remain a mystery to this day. Roy quit Monza and football and Rocky quits Rovers to join fierce local rivals Melborough. The Race family mourn at Penny's graveside.

  • 1995-1996: More top players leave the Rovers as the bribery scandal shames the club. Rovers were relegated at the end of the season into Division One.
  • 1996-1997: Roy returns to manage the club and arrives in time to save the Rovers from relegation again. This time it would have been into Division Two.
  • 1997-1998: The Roy of the Rovers story makes its long awaited comeback in the launch issue of the BBC Match of the Day Magazine (May/June 1997). Roy brings in his graduate daughter Melinda to help generate funds and keep Roy's financial backers the Vinter brothers off his back. Melchester Rovers finish the season fourth in Division One but win the Wembley play off final to gain promotion to the Premiership.
  • 1998-1999: Melchester Rovers managed by Roy Race win the FA Cup in extra time.
  • 1999-2000: The first Roy of the Rovers Annual is produced since 1994 to mark the Millennium. Roy of the Rovers from cover to cover.

The launch of Roy of the Rovers.com; the 'Official' web site to celebrate the existence of one of the heroes of the footballing world.

2000s

  • 2000-2001: Another chapter in the Roy of the Rovers story closes as the Match of the Day Magazine cease publication in May 2001.

Honours

Note that all records are fictional, and only date as far as 2000, the last completed season of the comic strip.

League

  • Premier League (including (Old) First Division): 13 titles'
    • Winners: 1931-32, 1933-34, 1937-38, 1957–58, 1959–60, 1962–63, 1967–68, 1971–72, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1999–00 **Runners-up: 1948-49, 1975-76
  • (Old) Second Division): 2
    • 1902-03, 1981–82
  • Premier League (from Monthlies): 1969, 1990

Cups

  • FA Cup: 11
    • 1907, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1984, 1990, 1995, 1999
    • Runners-up: 4 times in 1930s
    • Semifinals: 1904
  • League Cup: 2
    • 1986, 1987
  • FA Charity/Community Shield: 3'
    • 1974, 1977 (shared), 1972 (shared with League XI)
  • FA Cup (from Monthlies): 1984
  • League Cup (from Monthlies): 1980s

Other competitions

  • 5-a side London tournament: 1
    • 1975

European

  • European Cup: 3
    • 1964, 1969, 1973
    • Runner-Up (2): 1978, 1975[9]
  • UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 4
    • 1967, 1971, 1975, 1985
  • UEFA Cup: 2
    • 1979, 1985
  • European Cup (from Monthlies): 1970

International

  • Intercontinental Cup/World Club Championship: 2
    • 1964, 1969
  • Summer International Tournaments: 10
    • Continental tour 1904, Australia 1966, Mexico 1969 (shared), Saladoria 1970, Australia 1978, Crete 1980, Scotland 1981, Vienna 1986, Crete 1989, Japan 1990

Opponents and rivalries

Derbies

In 1955-56 a game against Hamville is described as local derby. In 1972-73 Shermall Athletic are mentioned as crosstown rivals. For much of the story's history, Rovers' traditional local rivals were Melborough (sometimes shortened to Melboro' or Milboro). For decades, Melchester held the upper hand over their cross-city neighbours, but in later years Melborough became a major force and were in a higher division than Rovers in the late 1990s. Melborough often had outspoken managers, most notably Andy Jackson and Ralph Gordon (who made an ill-fated and unpopular switch to Rovers in 1992), to help intensify the rivalries.

Melchester City were another crosstown rival appearred in the ROTR Monthlies (1993-95). Melchester City were one of the many new teams introduced in the 1993-1995 monthlies.[5] The storyline was featured in Shoot with Melchester Rovers playing Div3. Melchester City - when Malandro made his FA cup debut in 94-95 and continued playing after being brutally hacked by a City player, was great. It was a cold miserable winter and City had their 3 crown jewels - Thomas, Rufer and Carmichael terrorising Rovers.

Other teams

Although throughout Roy Race's playing career there was never a definitive list published of who the other teams in the First Division[6] were, the majority of sides Rovers played against were familiar names who they opposed regularly in later years. These included: Blackport, Burndean, Carford City, Castlemere, Danefield United, Deans Park, Eastoke, Gatesfield, Highwood Athletic, Holverton, Kelburn, Kingsbay, Melborough, Molton United, North Vale, Oldfield, Portdean, Redstoke, Rochington Rovers, Stambridge City, Everpool, Tynecaster, Walford Rovers (who Roy managed in 1983) and Weston Villa (also known as Western Villa). There were also several lower league sides who Rovers met in cup football and their occasional stints outside the top-flight, as well as foreign teams in European matches.

Some of the Rovers' opponents:

  • Burndean: First Division 1974
  • Portdean City: First Division 1956, 1961, 1970
  • Kingsbay: First Division 1971, 1975
  • Langdon United: First Division 1957
  • Bamford Athletic: First Division 1959
  • Carford City: First Division 1964, 1981
  • Eastoke United: First Division 1966
  • Prestwich: Premier League 1995
  • Islington: Premier League 1994
  • Tynecaster: First Division 1976, Premier League 2001

Colours and kits

Home

1954-1997
Rovers colours in 1954 were red, yellow and blue. In the later years the blue was omitted. As stated in 2000/01 colours were: Red shirts, red shorts, both with yellow markings, red and yellow hooped stockings.

1895-1905
In Earlier seasons there was dark red and white, blue and black socks.

Melchester Rovers kits 1895-1905.

Away

As stated in 2000/01 away colours were: White shirts, white shorts, both with red markings, white with red and yellow turn-over stockings.

During the 50s and 60s Rovers were never pictured playing an official match in their change strips. However, they did conduct many practice and reserve matches in their alternative colours. These were of course the preferred away strips of the time.

Melchester Rovers fans never got to see the team play in an away kit until their FA Cup 5th Round tie away at Weston Villa in 1974. Villa wore red and white hooped jerseys, so Rovers opted for a plain blue shirt with white shorts and socks.

Through the 70s Rovers would largely prefer the blue jerseys for away games, however for the match away at Eastgate in 1975/76, they debuted an all yellow outfit with black numbers on the sleeves. Away at Oldfield in 1977, the neat blue shirt with white collar also sported what appears to be the Melchester coat of arms and not the Rovers badge of the time.

All yellow would return in 1980/81, with smart red trims. This kit was worn away at Bradport and for the last time in the pre-season tournament in Scotland against Blackton Wanderers.

The Gola kits from 1981/82 supplied a smart white shirt with red hoop and blue shorts. The Gola branded kit was never seen in action, while its logo free brother wasn't worn until the pre-season of the 1985/86 season when the Melchester Past XI wore the strip against the Rovers first team.[7]

The next away strip was worn twice. A neat white shirt with red trim and red shorts saw action at Rotherton and in the FA Cup Semi-Final against Weston Villa.

Unfortunately fans weren't given a glimpse of any away strip in the late 80s. The next outfit, however, was a cracker. Designed for and voted for by fans, the 1991/92 SEGA logo decorated and the all white with red and yellow trimmed design. It looked just as good, if not better with the TSB logo the following season.

White with yellow and red trims would remain the colours of choice until the 2000/01 season. The Subbuteo sponsored shirts by Umbro had some lovely features including the famous stringed collar.

The final Rovers away shirt is perhaps the best, the red chevron bringing a rugby league look to Rovers on the road.

Finally, Rovers produced two special European designs. As this feature is on "change" strips these two must also be included. Firstly in 1978/79 for their UEFA Cup run, a strip that shocked the Rovers crowd, the white shirts, shorts and red socks first worn against Real Varagosa. Then in a move designed to rinse fans, in 1999/2000 Roy introduced two new signings, Per Enqvist and David Gates alongside their "European" kit, which may be considered the second most outrageous Rovers kit ever, behind the yellow and red star kit of 1996/97.

Badge

In their early years, Melchester Rovers wore mauve, the MR logo was never seen on the kits, but on the club flag that proudly flew over the grandstand at the new Mel Park ground.

The Melchester city coat of arms was regularly flown in support of the Rovers and featured above the entrance to the players tunnel to the pitch. It was last seen on the Rovers blue change strips in the late 70s.[8]

The club shield fist appeared on the special FA Cup Final shirts in 1959 and would later appear permanently on the shirts in the late 60s. The updated "redder" shield was swapped in regularly in the early 70s and remained on the shirts until the new modern kit was launched in 1973.

Other than the change strips showing the coat of arms, no badge would appear on the Rovers shirts until the controversial Gola strip of 1981-82, when the word "Rovers" with the "o" replaced with a ball was seen for the promotion season.

Rovers again went badgeless until the new look Nike strip of 1986 when what many consider the classic Rovers badge was added at the point of the v-neck collar. This badge was also used in red, but not on any of the jerseys.

Rovers badge (1986-91)

Fans selected the new badge for the 1991-93 shirts, which was largely a modernised version of the previous badge, this time featuring an adidas tango inspired ball design.

After Roy Race's departure, the new era Melchester Rovers mixed and matched four badge designs across three seasons, none of which were particularly inspiring.

Neither was their replacement a drab black circle with giant oblong yellow MRFC lettering.

The final badge on the list is the latest effort, honouring the Rovers links to Tiger magazine and perhaps inspiring a new nickname.

Mascot

As early as 1955 Billy the Goat is mentioned as Rovers marscot.

Shirt sponsors

Transfers

Per season

Rovers' signings are as follows:[9][10]

1955-56

  • In: Roy Race (Melchester Rovers Youth), “Blackie” Gray (Melchester Rovers Youth), Arty Hedlow (Elbury Wanderers)
  • Out:

1956-57

In: Pierre Dupont (from Rochemont, France)

  • Out:
  • 1957-58
  • In:
  • Out: Andy McDonald (retired - became Melchester Rovers Assistant Manager)

1958-59

  • In: Tubby Morton, Paddy Ryan, Dick Stokes
  • Out: Pierre Dupont

1959-60

  • In: Ken Harcombe
  • Out: Mike Drury

1960-61

  • In: Don Pike
  • Out:

1961-62

  • In: Ossie Jones
  • Out: Paddy Ryan (Retired to be Principal at Spartan House Sports School)

1962-63

  • In: Albert “Bomber” Reeves
  • Out: Hughie Griffiths (retired)

1963-64

  • In: Tony Storme
  • Out:

1964-65

  • In: Jumbo Trudgeon
  • Out:

1965-66

  • In:
  • Out:

1966-67

  • In: Ken Cooper (from reserves), Derek Millar (from reserves), Thumper Thorp
  • Out: Bob Roberts (retired), Dave Williams (retired)

1967-68

  • In: Terry West, Alec Blackburn, Andy Croydon.
  • Out: Tony Storme (retired from football to take up an overseas army post).

1968-69

  • In: Douglas Ballard (from Carford United, but was out a few months later), Geoff Giles, Lofty Peak (from Kingsbay)
  • Out: Ossie Jones (took managers position at Highwood), Buster Brown (retired), Bomber Reeves (retired)

1969-70

  • In: Vernon Eliot, Chris Dylan, “Chalkie” White, Eddie Eager
  • Out: Tom Dawson

1970-71

  • In:
  • Out:

1971-72

  • In: Noel Baxter, Ralph Derry.
  • Out: Derek Millar, Ken Cooper.

1972-73

  • In: Mervyn Wallace (from Cranville United), Peter Warner, Graham Show, …Ensworth, …Morris.
  • Out: Eddie Eager, Chris Dylan, Chalkie White, Terry West.

1973-74

  • In: Jimmy Slade, Charlie Carter, Eric Motson.
  • Out: Andy Croydon.

1974-75

  • In: Sammy Spangler (out a few weeks later).
  • Out: Tubby Morton (retired to become Melchester Rovers 'A' team manager)

1975-76

  • In: Gary Faine, Duncan McKay (from Portdean City), Gerry Holloway, Trevor Cassidy, Len Peters, Willy Edwards.
  • Out: Ralph Derry, Jumbo Trudgeon (retired)

1976- 1977

  • In: Roger Dixon (from Kingsbay)
  • Out:

1977- 1978

  • In:
  • Out:

1978- 1979

  • In: Paco Diaz (from Zaragosa, Spain)
  • Out: Lofty Peak (to be coach of Basran national football team)

1979- 1980

  • In: Vic Gurthie (from Westbury Town), Sandy Evans, Terry Keelan
  • Out:

1980- 1981

1981- 1982

1982- 1983

  • In: Glenn Ritchie (Scotland)
  • Out:Vernon Eliot (retired), Roy Race (to Walford Rovers)

1983- 1984

  • In: Rob Richards, Neville Jones, Errol Bridger, Roy Race (from Walford Rovers)
  • Out: Paco Diaz

1984- 1985

  • In: Carl Hunt (Carford City), Mark Butler (Holverton), Andy Styles
  • Out: Nat Gosden (retired)

1985- 1986

  • In: Bob Wilson, Emlyn Hughes, Steve Norman, Martin Kemp
  • Out: Mervyn Wallace (retired), Walter Williams (to Kingsbay)

1986- 1987

  • In: Olly Olsen (Denmark), Steve Wooten, Mark Gray, Pak Soon,

Bruno Johnson, Johnny Dexter, (from Burnside Athletic), Kevin Clark, (from Selbridge United), Bruce Miller (from the Italian League)

  • Out: Bob Wilson (retired), Emlyn Hughes (retired), Steve Norman (retired), Martin Kemp (retired)

R.I.P. Vic Guthrie, Trevor Cassidy, Carl Hunt, Kenny Logan, Steve Naylor, Jimmy Slade, Neville Jones and Noel Baxter

1987- 1988

  • In: Wes Harper, Terry Spring
  • Out: Bruce Miller (Dunston Town)

1988- 1989

  • In:
  • Out:

1989- 1990

  • In:Andy McLaren (Glenrath), Gary Gunn (Portdean)
  • Out:

1990- 1991

  • In: Alex Ritchie, Des Chapman, Broz Bomber, Tommy Johnson, Bryan Jones, Nicky Watson, Dennis Tyler, Russell Wallace, Johnny Lake
  • Out: Olly Olsen (Denmark), Bruno Johnson (retired), Duncan McKay

1991- 1992

  • In: Karl Bruckner (Bresden, Germany), Nick Hardisty (Railford Town), Matt Croker (Deans Park)
  • Out:

1992- 1993

  • In: Derek Mostin (Selbridge Town)
  • Out:

1993- 1994

  • In: Rocky Race (Melchester Rovers Youth), Paul Ntende (Brixton), Tommy Goodes, Mark Giles, Steve Clark, Wes Harper
  • Out: Matt Croker, Derek Mostin, Mark Gray, Terry Spring

1994- 1995

  • In: Malandro (Italy), Kine, Kenny Bates
  • Out:

1995- 1996

  • In: Craig Foster, Paul Evans
  • Out: Rocky Race (Melborough), Paul Ntende (Italy)

1996 - 1997

  • In: Ritchie Lawrence, Andy Kerrigan
  • Out: Andy McLaren, Johnny Dexter, Karl Bruckner, Malandro, Kevin Clark, Wes Harper, Tommy Goodes, Kenny Bates, Des Chapman, Steve Clark, Mark Giles, Kine

1997-1998:

  • In: Anton Gronvold (Norway), Keith Durham, Dion Templeton (from non league), Jeff Cooper (Gatesfield), Andy Kerrigan (Melchester Rovers Youth), Jamie Nash, Rocky Race (Melborough)
  • Out: Craig Foster (Melborough), Andy Styles

1998 - 1999

1999 - 2000

2000- 2001

  • In:
  • Out: Bean Argent (Castlemere), Gary Bracken

Fees

In

Out

Club captains

Player Seasons Notes
Scotland Jock Cameron
Scotland Andy McDonald -1958 He retired in 1958
England Hughie Griffiths 1958 Injured after 4 games
England Roy Race 1958-82
England Blackie Gray 1982-83 Roy Race was in a coma
England Roy Race 1983-93
England Terry Spring 1992-93
England Steve Wooten 1997-98
England Steve Wooten 1999-01

Records

  • First Football League Game: Versus Elbury Wanderers, Division 2, 3rd September, 1902
  • Record Attendance: 68,000 versus Prestwich North End, FA Cup 6th Round, 1950
  • Most club appearances: Roy Race
  • All time topscorer: Roy Race
  • Most capped player: Blackie Gray (54 for England)
  • Longest serving captain: Roy Race
  • Biggest club league win : 14-0 v Keysborough, 11th February 1982, in Second division
  • Biggest club Cup win : 8-0 v Kelburn, 4th January 1979
  • Record club defeat: 1-9 v Eastfield, 1912-13
  • Record club defeat: 0-36 v Shermall United, 1986-87 (Official Autobiography)
  • Most League Points (2 for a win): Division 1, 1967-68
  • Most League Points (3 for a win): Premier Division, 1990-91
  • Highest fee paid: £3 million for Scottish Andy Maclaren (from Glenrath Celtic) in 1989
  • Highest fee received: £2 million from Castlemere for Ben Argent in 2000

European matches

Competition Round Club Home Away
UEFA Competitions
1961–62 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round Hungary Schonved 0–0 1–2
1963-64 European Cup 1st Round Hungary Schonved 1–0 1–0
2nd Round Republic of Ireland Kelbridge City 0–1 2-0
Quarter-finals Hungary Doledo 1-1 2-1
Semi-finals Germany Stalzburg 3-0 0-1
Final Italy Nettruno - 1-0 (Winners)
1965-66 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1st Round Norway Trondheim 0–0 0–1
1966-67 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round Italy Villa Florina 0-1 3-1
2nd Round Greece Paniakos 1-0 1-2
Quarter-finals Turkey Karspor 3-0 0-2
Semi-finals Spain Real Corbao 1-2 2-0
Final Portugal Alcero Sporting - 2-1 (Winners)
1968-69 European Cup Preliminary Round Hungary Shevnik Sparta 3-2 2-1
1st Round Soviet Union Dynamo Zerbat 0–1 2-1
2nd Round France Racing Vardennes 2-0 2-3
Quarter-finals Cyprus Limosia 3-2 0-0
Semi-finals Italy Leonardo Atletico 1-1 1-0
Final Portugal Rapid Sadova - 2-1 (Winners)
1970-71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round Netherlands Rythoven Olympic 4-1 0-2
2nd Round Italy Racing Lombardo 3-0 0-2
Quarter-finals Germany Hagenburg 4-3 3-4 (penalties 3-2 (a))
Semi-finals Portugal Argavo Rapido 2-2 2-1
Final Belgium Standard Wasserdam - 2-1 (Winners)
1972-73 European Cup 1st Round Germany Hansberg 2–1 1-0
2nd Round Spain Real Montana 1-1 3-1
Semi-finals Italy Terino 1-0 3-1
Final Portugal Corados - 2-0 (Winners)
1974-75 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round Netherlands Zeeden 2-1 1-0
2nd Round England Carford City 2-0 1-1
Quarter-finals (Vlatnia) Dynamo Zarnov 2-2 1-0
Semi-finals Germany Durmstadt 4-0 1-3
Final Greece Niarkos - 2-0 (Winners)
1976-77 UEFA Cup Unknown Round Drargscon Rovers won 2-2
1977-78 European Cup 2nd Round Sweden Zalmo 2–1 2-2
Quarter-finals France Vrayonne Rapide 3-1 1-2
Semi-finals Italy Dorino 0-0 1-0
Final Netherlands Alkhoven - 2-3 (Runners-up)
1980-81 European Cup 2nd Round Sweden Zalmo 3-1 2-0
1984-85 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 3d Round Belgium Bokeren 4-0 1-0
Semi-finals Germany Stahlberg 5-0 2-0
Final Spain Real Santana - 2-2 (penalties 5-3) (Winners)
1990-91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round Belgium Verengen 3-0 0-1
2nd Round Spain Atletico Zamara 3-1 0-1
Semi-finals Albania Dynamo Vlaznia 3-1 0-2
1991-92 UEFA Cup 1st Round Germany Bresden 1-1 0-0
1992-93 UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round Spain Atletico Zarosa 3–0 2–0
2nd Qualifying Round France Olympic Antibes 1–1 1-1 (pen 3-4)
2nd Qualifying Round Belgium Bokeren 1–1 2-0
Group stage Sweden Valmo 1-1 -
Group stage Netherlands Rapid Alkmar - 2-0
Group stage France AC Gironde 1-0 -
1999-00 UEFA Cup 3d Round France Unknown 1-1 0-0
4th Round Spain Real Corbao 1-2 2-0
5th Round Germany Rassburg 1-1 0-0

Stadium

Main article: Mel Park

The club's first ground was the Reckton Park, at Melchester. When part of the main stand was burnt out during a gale, Rovers were forced to vacate Reckton Park and take up residence at their now-famous Mel Park.

Mel Park was build in 1888. The address of the Mel Park ground was Mel Park, Crib Lane, Melchester, ME99 1RJ. The capacity was 56,000. The famous Mel Park with its beautiful art-deco West Stand will soon be no more: according to the current story (2001), the ground will be sold and the club will relocate, staying in Melchester area. Mel Park, the first all-seater stadium in Britain – now qualifies as a ‘lost ground’.[11]

The stadium tour was first shown in the 1958 Roy of the Rovers Annual.

Mel Park, home of Rovers.

Melchester Rovers Greatest XI

Roy Race's Dream Team[12] from the 2000 Annual:

Notable players

Before 1954[13]

After 1954

Managers

  • England Jimmy Leather (1920s, 1930s)
  • England George Armstrong (1930s)
  • England Ben Galloway (up to 1973)
  • England Tony Storme (1973–1975)
  • England Roy Race (1975–1978)
  • England Ben Galloway (1978)
  • England Roy Race (1978–1982)
  • England Sir Alf Ramsey (1982 – caretaker)
  • England Roy Race (1982–1983)
  • England Blackie Gray (1983)
  • England Roy Race (1983–1992)
  • England Mervyn Wallace (1992 – caretaker)
  • England Ralph Gordon (1992–1993)
  • England Roy Race (1993)
  • England Mervyn Wallace (1993 – caretaker)
  • England Blackie Gray (1993–1994)
  • England Mervyn Wallace (1994 – 1996)
  • England Roy Race (1997 – )

Chairmen

Club song

Melchester Rovers have a song which in the 1950's they used to adapt to suit the team or the country they were in. It was usually sung on the train or bus when the team were all together. The first time the song was played in the story was when it was Blackie Gray's Birthday Party and Reserve team captain Phil Finnigan played the tune "Waltzing Matilda". The song went as follows:

"Who'd play the Rovers, who'd play the Rovers, who'd play the Rovers, at home or away...? and the goalkeeper cried, as his crossbar fell on top of him, that was a sizzler from old Blackie Gray!"

The Rovers adapted the song and tune as the club song. Inside left Jim Hallett often used to play on his harmonica and the team used to sing along.

Personnel

Person Role
England Roy Race Manager
England Geoff Giles Assistant Manager/ Coach
England Debbie Gibson Physio
Wales Mervyn Wallace Reserve Coach
Scotland Andy McClaren Youth Coach
England Daniel Vinter Chairman/ Chief Executive
England Melinda Race Managing Director
England Thomas Cleary Secretary
England Lawrence Vinter
England Roy Race
England Lionel Ellis
England Richard Hodgson
England Andrew Harvey
 Directors

Melchester Rovers 2000/01 squad

Rovers' last squad in 2000/01[14] was:

  • 1 - Ritchie Lawrence
  • 2 - Jamie Nash
  • 3 - Keith Durham
  • 4 - Paul Evans
  • 5 - Andy Kerrigan
  • 6 - Anton Gronvold
  • 7 - Jeff Cooper
  • 8 - Dion Templeton
  • 9 - Gary Bracken
  • 10 - Steve Wooten
  • 11 - Craig Foster

From the squad which lined up in their new kit for the beginning of the 1997/1999 season, all the players have remained except Craig Foster who joined Melborough in a swap deal which saw Rocky Race return to Mel Park.

Rovers also signed Declan McKaffree in the close season of 1998, spotted by Roy's old pal Blackie Gray. In addition to Rocky and Declan, Roy bought Per Enqvist and David Gates during the close season for the 1999/2000 campaign.

Sources

External links

Seasons

References

  1. ↑ Club Profile - royoftherovers.com
  2. ↑ ROY OF THE ROVERS STORIES
  3. ↑ Roy of the Rovers Stuff: a look back at the newspaper strips - downthetubes.net
  4. ↑ Melchester Rovers World – Kit Parade 1994-95 - gotnotgot.wordpress.com
  5. ↑ Melchester City - The Roy Race Talk In
  6. ↑ First division in Roy's years (2012) - btheroyracetalkin.runboard.com (jummygrant93)
  7. ↑ FEATURE - Melchester Rovers Change Strips
  8. ↑ History of Melchester Rovers Badges
  9. ↑ Rovers trnasfers - btheroyracetalkin.runboard.com
  10. ↑ Non Rovers players - btheroyracetalkin.runboard.com
  11. ↑ Mel Park - gotnotgot.wordpress.com
  12. ↑ Rovers 2000 XI
  13. ↑ Re: Melchester Rover Players - 40's 50's 60's - btheroyracetalkin.runboard.com (Brentville)
  14. ↑ Rovers 2000-01 XI - royoftherovers.com

Notes

  1. ↑ by early 1980s he was the oldest surviving player in Rovers history

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