Tynefield City
| Full name | Tynefield City |
|---|---|
| Founded | ? |
| Ground | ? , Tynefield, England |
| League | First Division (1981-82) |
Tynefield City are a fictional football team that appeared in the British comic Roy of the Rovers, the Safest Hands in Soccer (SHIS) story where goalkeeper Gordon Stewart featured.
The Safest Hands in Soccer (replaced You Are The Star) comic strip appeared in the ROTR comic strip from 04/06/77 to 21/08/82 featuring also Longford Forest.[1]
The story focused on Gordon Stewart, a legendary, spectacular goalkeeper for the Second Division team Tynefield City and a Scottish international.Legacy: Stewart was so skilled that an Italian club offered £2 million for him in 1980[2] and also the titular hero, Roy Race, considered signing him for Melchester Rovers, but Gordon chose to remain loyal to Tynefield City.
Stewart died in a plane crash in November 1983.
History
1970s
In 1979-80 City played in the Second Division.
1980s
Still in Second Division, they played a friendly in Barcelona against Real Sarantino (maybe summer 1980 or earlier). In 1981 the club won promotion to First Division for first time!
Tynefield City team photo.
In 1981-82 City played for the first time in the First Division. However their captain Brian Culthorpe was forced to retire after only one game due to injury. City started their season poorly.[3]
Tynefield City 1981-82 stats.
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 2000/01 season. Info may be incomplete.
League
- First Division (1): 1950s,
- Runners-up:
- Third:
- Fourth:
- Second Division:
Cups
- FA Cup:
- Runners up:
- Semifinals:
- League Cup:
- Runners-up:
European
Colours and kits
Colours: Red shirts with white sleeves and black shorts
Rivalries
The series was followed by a sequel strip called Goalkeeper (1983-1990), which opened with the dramatic death of Gordon Stewart in a plane crash. The sequel then focused on the career of his teenage son, Rick Stewart[4] who played for United, not City!
Therefore, Tynefield United featured in the Goalkeeper comic strip in ROTR, from 26/11/1983 to 05/05/90, featuring Rick Stewart, Gordon's son (Oakhampton) also featured in Goalkeeper).
Stadium
Transfers
- 1977: Martin Allan for £150,000
- 1978: Alan Brady, Signed for £10,000 from Div4
- 1978: Dennis Corry, signed for £75k
- 1979: Antonio Carlos Valdez, Cost £500,000
- 1981: Gary Walker - Signed from North Vale £500,000
Seasons
- 1976-77: SHIS Div2
- 1977-78: SHIS Div2
- 1978-79: SHIS Div2
- 1979-80: SHIS Div2
- 1981-82: SHIS Div1
Notable players
Martin Allan- Dave Armstrong
- Alan Brady
- Barry Carter
- Dennis Corry
- Brian Culthorpe (captain)
- Gerry Dawson
Mario Donetti- Jeremy Drummond
- Davey Grand
- Trevor Hart
- Mick Johnson
- Billy Kramer
- Alan Long (captain)
Jock McEwan
Paddy Murphy (former international)- Colin Sharp
- Jimmy Spence (1950s)
- Gordon Stewart
- Jeremiah Swift
Antonio Carlos Valdez (top scorer in 1978 WC)- Steve Yaxley
- John Winston
- Steve Wilkes
- Chris Webb
Gary Walker (U21 international)- Bill Thompson
- Colin Sharp
Breakdown
Players:
Harry … 76/77 Played over 250 games
Pete … 76/77 Reserve
Jim … D 77/78 Reserve
Martin Allan RB 2 77/78 New signing £150,000
Dave Armstrong M/F 8 76/77 "Babyface"
Alan Brady G 1 78/79 Signed for £10,000 from Div4 to be Gordon's back-up
Barry Carter F 9 ENG 76/77 17 England caps by 1978 Fexham match
Dennis Corry M 8 78/79 Utility player, signed for £75k
Brian Culthorpe D 5 Captain 76/77 Retired after one match in 81/82
Gerry Dawson G 15yo 81/82 (Born in 1966)
Mario Donetti WG 10 ITA 76/77 Italian born
Jeremy Drummond M 10 79/80
Davey Grand F 79/80 Sold to Runswich after one game
Trevor Hart SUB 77/78
Mick Johnson LB 3 76/77
Billy Kramer F 8 81/82 Broken leg
Alan Long M/D 5 ENG 81/82 Signed from NASL, new captain, 70+ ENG caps
Jock McEwan M/D 7 or 6 SCO 77/78
Paddy Murphy M 6 IRL 76/77 Former Irish international
Colin Sharp M 11 81/82 Signed from DIV3 Winlake County
Jimmy Spence CF 9 50s Star of 50s Championship winning side
Gordon Stewart G 1 SCO 76/77 Scotland debut vs England 78 died in Nov 1983
Jeremiah Swift W 11 81/82
Antonio Carlos Valdez D 5 ARG 79/80 Cost £500,000, top scorer in 1978 WC - Goes back to Argentina early in 81/82
Bill Thompson G 1 76/77 injured first choice allowed Gordon to debut - sold in 77/78
Gary Walker F 8 81/82 17yo - Signed from North Vale £500,000 - U21 international (Born 1964)
Chris Webb CB/DM 6 77/78 Called a midfielder vs Southwater
Steve Wilkes CB 5 77/78 Young reserve
John Winston/Winton D 78/79 Supersub
Steve Yaxley LW 11 76/77 Dark, with goatee - Sold to Fairdown Albion in early 81/82
Notable managers
- Ron Pocock (Reserves)
- Mike Williams
- Jimmy Rockwell (won 2 FA Cups)
- Miles Pascoe
Breakdown
-Coaches and managers
Mike Williams Manager 76/77 Leaves in 77/78 after Southwater match to take a 4 year deal in the Middle East
Terry Greaves Coach 76/77 Leaves with Williams
Jimmy Rockwell Manager 77/78 Former Gridport, Thaxton & Oldcastle manager - won 2 FA Cups
John "Hoots" Maclaren Coach 77/78 Joins with Rockwell
Ron Pocock Assistant and Reserve manager 77/78
Miles Pascoe Manager 81/82
Comments by Storky
Sources
- Club profile by Storky Knight
- Champions
- A-Z Teams
- FA Cup winners
- Topps 79 - Tynefield City cards
- The Safest Hands In Soccer 1981 (Tynefield City and the mighty European Cup holders Everpool) - 1981 Roy of the Rovers Annual
- - The Safest Hands in Soccer 1980 (1980 ROTR Annual)
- The Safest Hands in Soccer 1980 Part 2
