Melchester Rovers

Melchester Rovers
Full name	Melchester Rovers
Founded	1888
Ground	Mel Park, Melchester, England
Capacity	56.000
League	FA 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.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

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. 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.

1960s[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 were League Champions in 1979–80 but were relegated to Division Two by one goal just one year later. 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[edit]

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 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.

Milestones[edit]

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

1960-1961: FA Cup Winners, 2-1 against Corstone City (Roy 2).

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

*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).

*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).

*1979-1980: League Champions

*1980-1981: Rovers relegated to Division Two.

*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 Roy (1).

*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).

*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.

*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.

*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[edit]

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

League[edit]

Premier League (including (Old) First Division): 13 titles'
- 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.
(Old) Second Division): 1
- 1981–82

Cups[edit]

FA Cup: 11
- 1907, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1984, 1990, 1995, 1999
League Cup: 2
- 1986, 1987
FA Charity/Community Shield: 2'
- 1974, 1977 (shared)

European[edit]

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

International[edit]

Intercontinental Cup/World Club Championship: 2
- 1964, 1969
Summer International Tournaments: 9
- Australia 1966, Mexico 1969 (shared), Saladoria 1970, Australia 1978, Crete 1980, Scotland 1981, Vienna 1986, Crete 1989, Japan 1990

Opponents and rivalries[edit]

Although throughout Roy Race's playing career there was never a definitive list published of who the other teams in the First Division 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, 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.

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

For much of the story's history, Rovers' traditional local rivals were Melborough (sometimes shortened to Melboro). 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.

Colours and kits[edit]

Transfers[edit]

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

In: Steve Naylor, Mark Price, Walter Williams, Nat Gosden (Oldfield)
Out: Roger Dixon (Melboro), Geoff Giles (Melboro)

1981- 1982

In: Kenny Logan (Strathlane)
Out:

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

In: Dino Marcello (AC Monza), Declan McKaffree (Ireland)
Out:

1999 - 2000

In: Per Enquvist (Norway), David Gates (Stockly Town)
Out:

2000- 2001

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

European matches[edit]

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away

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

Stadium[edit]

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’.^[1]

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

Mel Park, home of Rovers.

Melchester Rovers Greatest XI[edit]

Roy Race's Dream Team^[2] from the 2000 Annual:

1 - Charlie "The Cat" Carter
2 - Steve "Nobby" Wootten
3 - Duncan McKay
4 - Geoff Giles
5 - Johnny Dexter
6 - Lofty Peak
7 - Mervyn Wallace
8 - Blackie Gray
9 - Roy Race
10 - Rocky Race
11 - Vernon Eliot

Notable players[edit]

Roy Race
Blackie Gray
Geoff Giles
Dave Williams
Jim Hallett
Jimmy Slade
Trevor Cassidy
Noel Baxter
Bomber Reeves
Arty Hedlow
Buster Brown
Tony Storme
Ossie Jones
Mervyn Wallace
Vic "Superbrat" Guthrie
"Lofty" Peak
"Tubby" Morton
"Jumbo" Trudgeon
Charlie "The Cat" Carter
Paco Diaz
Vernon Eliot
Pierre Dupont
Nat "Grandad" Gosden
Martin Kemp
Pak Soon
Steve Norman
Emlyn Hughes
Bob Wilson
Andy MacLaren
Duncan McKay
Johnny "The Hard Man" Dexter
Steve "Nobby" Wootten
Karl Bruckner
Paul "Del" Ntende
Rocky Race
Roberto Angel Munoz ("Malandro")
Bruno Johnson
Olly Olsen
Dino Marcello
Declan McKaffree
Per Enquvist

Managers[edit]

George Armstrong (1930s)
Ben Galloway (up to 1973)
Tony Storme (1973–1975)
Roy Race (1975–1978)
Ben Galloway (1978)
Roy Race (1978–1982)
Sir Alf Ramsey (1982 – caretaker)
Roy Race (1982–1983)
Blackie Gray (1983)
Roy Race (1983–1992)
Mervyn Wallace (1992 – caretaker)
Ralph Gordon (1992–1993)
Roy Race (1993)
Mervyn Wallace (1993 – caretaker)
Blackie Gray (1993–1995)
Mervyn Wallace (1995 – caretaker)
Roy Race (1996 – )

Club song[edit]

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.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

[1] Mel Park - gotnotgot.wordpress.com

[2] Rovers 2000 XI

[1]

[2]