Rotherton
| Full name | Rotherton FC |
|---|---|
| Founded | ? |
| Ground | ?, Rotherton, East Midlands, England |
| League | First Division |
Rotherton are fictional football team that appeared in the Bristish comic Roy of the Rovers.
The club also appeared in the ROTR comic strip Cheat from 10/10/92 to 30/01/93 (alongside Barrow Park, Tynecaster, Kelburn).[1]
History
General information
Rotherton was located in East Midlands. Rotherton are a club famed for producing their own top quality talent. The Reds have spent the majority of their history in the Second Division, albeit regularly challenging for promotion and enjoying many short spells in the First Division.
1970s
The late 1970s were Rotherton's most successful period, with an a typical extended run in the First Division. An attractive side, Rotherton played attacking football and produced some outstanding forwards. First the double centre forward pairing of Frankie Jones and Alfie Stone kept The Reds away from relegation. While they never challenged at the top, Rotherton were still involved in a number of entertaining matches, mostly ending up as the losing side.
In 1976/77 reigning European Champions Blackport Rovers thrashed them 6-0. In 1977/78 the point gained from a draw at League Champions Melchester Rovers was celebrated like a FA Cup win. Unfortunately that match was marred by crowd trouble as Rotherton fans contributed to a mass pitch invasion.
1980s
The early 80s saw Rotherton yo-yo between the top two divisions. But fans will fondly recall the goalscoring phenomenon that was Peter Acton, probably the their greatest ever player. He would fire Rotherton to promotion, but found the First Division tougher. He still scored for fun, but his goals alone were never enough to secure a safe position in the top flight.
The yo-yoing would continue: promotion in 1983/84. and relegation in 1985/86. Acton was a class above the Second Division where a weak defence was not fatal. An immediate return was inevitable and this time Rotherton would find a way of surviving. A side supplemented and improved with the addition of a number the 1983/84 FA Youth Cup runners-up squad. Mike Watson, a centre-half and captain of that youth side, easily made the transition to first-grade football and was a fixture in the Rotherton defence for many years.
1990s
However without making any real impact in the top-flight, relegation eventually occurred in the mid-1990s and it would be a long time before the team famed for their attacking football and great strikers would feature at the top of English football again.
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1991/92 season. Info may be incomplete.
League
Cups
- FA Cup:
Colours and kits
Club colours were red and white.
Rivalries
Stadium
Seasons
- 1977-78: ROTR Div1
- 1980-81: ROTR Div1
- 1981-82: ROTR Div2
- 1983-84: ROTR Div1
- 1985-86: ROTR Div1
- 1987-88: ROTR Div1
- 1989-90: ROTR Div1
Notable players
Peter Acton- Frankie Jones
- Alfie Stone
- Mike Watson
