Riverton United
| Full name | Riverton United F.C. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1885 |
| Ground | Mill Stadium, Riverton, Manchester, England |
| Capacity | 70.000 |
| Manager |  Terry Evans (2003-04) |
| League | Championship (2003-04) |
Riverton United or simply United are a fictional football team in the Bristish comic Champ, which first appeared in February 1984.[1] Champ was one of publisher D.C. Thomson's last ever boys comics to be published, and the football story 'We Are United was its most popular story. United featured from 1984 until 2003.
History
Champ and Victor
The club was mentioned as simply United F.C. in the Champ years. It was founded on 2 August 1885. But during its Football Pictury Story Monthly years (1986-2003) it was mentioned that the club was actually called Riverton United. It was located in or near Manchester. United was founded in 1885 and considered as one of the best clubs ever in England and well supported. The name is a straight reference to Manchester United. In 1885 Ted Dickson scored the first ever goal for United. Former player Alf Jones was United's most capped player with 67 games for England and captain Joe Pearson had 501 league appearances (club record) in around March 1984.
In 49/50 United won the double with players like established international like England captain Alf Jones, a football giant, 20-year-old Andy Bates and Scottish centre-forward Billy Irons.
In 1976 United paid a club record of £1 million for Scottish star Johhny Cook who helped them win the European Cup in 1978 with Joe Pearson as skipper. But Cook was soon sold for £600k in 1982, which was highest fee received for the club. In 1983 the record was equalled with £1 million for experienced German ex-international striker Klaus Bergen (48 caps for West Germany).
In 1985 United celebrated 100 years of history playing in the First Division after a turbulent period which saw them getting relegated at the end of 1982-83. In 1983-84 United with skipper Fred Rimmy won promotion back to the top flight, under Joe Pearson who built a young squad around Charlie Iron Barr, Josh Cuppa Tee, Alex Hedge Jones and Terry Evans. In the summer of 1984 United toured Canada and in 1988 Australia.
In 1985, after Darbury Rangers refused to sell Leslie Tomson to United, Scottish striker Kevin Nicklish dubbed as best striker in Britain, signed from champions Southpool for £1 million. Later an injury made United sign young Jimmy Grant as a replacement for Nicklish. In 1986 United won the FA Cup having even Jimmy Grant on its squad. On 1987 Victor Summer Special United were on tour in Mexico with the team's top goalscorer, 18 year-old Jimmy Grant in the squad (Diego Maradona's screamer at Azteca Stadium in 1986 WC was mentioned). United beat Mexican champions ''Charaxo'' by 2-1 (two goals by Jimmy Grant, later sold to Italian Ramoli for £3 million.
Once Joe Pearson took over from John Bland in 1984 he never left until 2003 with an exception of a season (mid 1990s) that tough manager Bobby Barnes was at the helm. Former United defender, Tug Wilson, was Pearson's close assistant from late 1980s and onwards.
United on Champ's cover on 8 June 1985, issue 68.
United's seasons 1973-1988
- 1973-74: United in the FA Cup Final, Ted James lost penalty in extra time
- 1974-75: United reached FA Cup semifinal and then signed Southpool's manager Ron Boston
- 1975-76: Finished 3d in league and won ticket to UEFA Cup. In summer 1976 the club paid a record £1 million from Johhny Cook
- 1976-77: United won the league under Ron Boston and reached UEFA Cup semifinal. But early exit in FA Cup
- 1977-78: European Cup victory becoming the fourth British club to win the trophy. Reached 6th round (quarterfinals) of FA Cup and won league again. Johnny West was team's topscorer
- 1978-79: Third league title in a row and World Club final won for first time. Reached again 6th round (quarterfinals) of FA Cup and won league again and also League Cup winners beating Leston Villa by 3-2 at Wembley (Cook, Rimmy, Pearson scored). Early exit in the European Cup.
- 1979-80: United fail in European Cup, but win the FA Cup against Mancastor City by 4-3 (Rimmy scored twice, and Lyle). They finish 4th in the league but successful manager Ron Boston leaves to take over England. They fail in European Cup.
- 1980-81: Early exit in CWC under caretaker manager Sid Carey. No chance for trophy as Southpool won treble
- 1981-82: Mid-table finish in league and shock 3d round exit in FA Cup
- 1982-83: Injury crisis and bad league run. United sacks Sid Carey and finish season managerless and relegated. Already relegated United beat Portsfield with a late winner and took them down too.
- 1983-84: John Bland appointed as manager and the club paid a record £1 million for German Klaus Bergen as more stars arrive. But after poor results, Bland is fired and captain Joe Pearson takes over as player-manager to earn United promotion at the expense of Chelbridge on the last day. United reach the FA Cup semifinal. They also win the Mini European Nations Cup beating French side St.Rheils (2-1).
- 1984-85: United win the Milk Cup against Shefton at Wembley (2-1) and finish 5th in the league. They tour to Canada, USA, Mexico in the summer
- 1985-86: Striker Kevin Nicklish signs from champions Southpool. They beat Everdon with 2-0 in the FA Cup final and sign 17-year old Jimmy Grant at the end of the season
- 1986-87: United win the title after 8 years, led by young Jimmy Grant. They visit Mexico again for a match against Charaxo at Aztec Stadium
- 1987-88: United tour Australia at the end of the season with Jimmy Grant part of the squad after leaving Italian champions Ramoli.
FPSM: 1986-2003
The club's biggest success was from 1986 in the Football Pictury Story Monthly. Until 2003 they won 10 European Cups. In late 1980s United spent £5 million for Argentinian wizard Maladonna (refernce to Diego Maradona) from Real Vargoza, but the player was sold after one season.
The club's logo from the FPSM No43 (The Rivals).
In 1990 United had a few of current and former players selected for the England squad in the 1990 World Cup in 1990, like Alex Jones, Charlie Barr and Jimmy Grant. In 1992 main star Terry Evans left the club to go to Italy and 1-2 years later Fred Rimmy was forced out with Duncan Fraser becoming the captain. In 1997 Fraser signed for crosstown rivals Riverton City and Jones was named captain. In early 2000s United signed Juan Carranza (reference to Juan Veron) for club record of £30 million.
Alex Jones was the only player who appeared from 1984 until 2003 in all United's squads. United were European champions around 2002 but were suprisingly releagated in 2003. Joe Pearson resigned and Evans with Jones took over.
United in the 1986 UEFA Cuo Final against Brutavian club Dinamo Leipzag. Captain Fred Rimmy leads the squad followed by goalie Iron Barr (FPSM).
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1986/87 season.
League
- Premier League (including (Old) First Division): 12 titles'
- 1899, 1902, 1920, 1929, 1936, 1950, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1987
- (Old) Second Division):
- Third: 1984
Cups
- FA Cup: 6
- Winners: 1903, 1921, 1950, 1961, 1980, 1986
- Runners up: 1974
- League Cup: 4
- Winners: 1968, 1971, 1979, 1985
- Runners up: 1986
European
- European Cup: 1
- Winners: 1978
- UEFA Cup:
- Winners: 1986
- Semifinalist: 1977
- Mini European Nations Cup: 1
- Winners: 1984
International
- Intercontinental Cup/World Club Championship: 1
- 1979
- Summer International Tournaments:
Opponents and rivalries
Rivalries
Southpool seemed as the strongest rival in the 1980s. United also played against Everdon, legendary Darbury Rangers and Leston Villa back then. Matches against Darbury Rangers looked as the second most intense after the ones against Southpool. Later Everpool looked a constant title contender, and also Alton Villa and Oldcastle in the 1990s through Football Picture Story Monthly.
Derbies
Animosity started with crosstown rivals Riverton City. In around 1990 City were bought by a rich businessman who took them to First Division: he then signed 2 great internationals from Germany, goalie Muller and striker Wessel and City were leading the top-flight table for half season, but later started losing games. So, during last season match United beat them and ssent them to Second Division! However City emerged again with scottish manager Ferguson in 1997 and Duncan Fraser's transfer from United (for £6 million) made them competitive against United again and the rivalry returned. Newly promoted City under Ferguson and midfielder Duncan Fraser became Premier champions in that season!
There was another crosstown rival in town, Riverton Rovers, a team working their way up to the top flight.
Colours and kits
United were wearing yellow, red kts with black trims.
Stadium
United played at the Mill. In 1983 its capacity was 62.000. The club also used the Little Mill for training or selective friendlies. The Mill later got capacity of 70.000 in late 1980s as mentioned in Goals of Jimmy Grant.
Mill stadium in 2003 (video game style)
Records
- Highest fee paid: £30 million for Argentinian Juan Carranza (from Serie A) in early 2000s
- Most club appearances: Joe Pearson 524 apps (1972-1984) [lower-alpha 1]
- All time topscorer: Sammy Stills 198 goals (1954-1966) [lower-alpha 2]
- Most capped player: Alf Jones (67 for England)
- Biggest club win : 9-2 over Finsbury Town in 1927/28 in Second division
- Biggest club defeat: 1-7 from Oldcastle in 1964/65 in Second division
Highest transfer fees
In
- 2001,
Juan Carranza and Terry Evans (from Serie A side Sorrentino) for £30 million [2] - 1998,
Alan Weaver (from Blackford) for £9 million - 1997,
Fabio Rossi (from Italian Juvarma) for £8 million - 1997,
Husseyn Kulhas (from Turkish Adamspor) for £7 million - 1988, Maladonna (from Italian Rigatoni FC) for £5 million
- 1997, Jon Miller (from Unknown ) for £5 million
Out
- 1997,
Duncan Fraser (to Riverton City) for £6 million - 1988, Maladonna (to Spanish Real Vargoza) for £5 million or more
Legacy
By some comic fans We are United is the best British football strip of the lot and United one of the most favourite clubs comparing to Melchester Rovers popularity. In terms of domestic and European trophies, United won the most in history of British football.[3]
The strip had more up-to-date language than anything else and was, innovatively, about all the players in the team, not just one. One player, Alex 'Hedgehog Jones', was a punk; another, Terry Evans, was an inveterate womaniser, boozer and gambler. Private lives, hooliganism and issues like dodgy sponsorship deals featured in the soapy storylines and, cleverly, Champ’s front page would often be a tabloid-y report on United; you could imagine it being revived.[4]
Notable players
- Ted Dickson
- Ted James
- Alf Jones
- Andy Bates
- Martin Lindsay
- Johnny West
- Kevin Kane
- Charlie Barr
- Alex Jones
- Joe Pearson
- Josh Tee
- Fred Rimmy
- Willie Barnes
- Tom Kleiner
- Dean Hunter
- Alan Clobber Harris
- Gary Sluman
- Lee Moxton
- Bill Shenton
- John Regan
- Larry Watson
- Benny Grainger
- Tug Wilson
- Billy Irons
- Johnny Cook
- Joe McBraid
- Ian Stewart
- Duncan Fraser
- Kevin Nicklish
- Jamie Warren
Klaus Bergen
John Carver- Juan Carranza
- Maladonna
Raul Montoya- Husseyn Kulhas
- Terry Evans
- Fabio Rossi
Vlad Morazcek
Hans Grutter
Ivan Zenovich
Joe Lusk
Club Captains
Managers
- Ted McCliff (1954-56)
- Tommy Southfield (1956-64)
- Ron Boston (1975-80)
- Sid Carey (1980-83)
- John Bland (1983-84)
- Joe Pearson (1984- )
- Bobby Barnes
- Joe Pearson
- Terry Evans (2003 - )
Notable chairmen
- Sam Bradburn
- Martin Lindsay
See also
Sources
- United trophies on Talk In Archived 2024-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
- United's trophies
