Vic Guthrie
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vic Guthrie | ||
| Date of birth | Missing required parameter 1=month! Expression error: Unexpected > operator. | ||
| Place of birth | ? , England | ||
| Date of death | 19 July 1986 | ||
| Place of death | Basran, Middle East | ||
| Height | [convert: needs a number] | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ? | ? | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| -1979 | Westbury Town | ||
| 1979-1986 | Melchester Rovers | ||
| National team | |||
| ? | Wales | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
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Vic Guthrie was a fictional footballer who appeared in the comic strips in the British boys' comic Roy of the Rovers during the 1970s and 80s. He was a defender, playing for Westbury and Melchester Rovers and the Wales national team. He first appeared in the strip in 1979 and died in 1986. His nickname was Superbrat.
Career
Club
Vic joined Melchester Rovers from Second Division Westbury Town on 22nd September 1979. He had a history with Westbury of discipline problems, but Roy saw the potential in his game and signed him on for £20,000. Rumour has it that Roy threatened to resign if the Directors didn't allow the transfer to go ahead. Vic was nicknamed "Superbrat" while at Westbury and he notoriously refused to bow three times in front of the bronze statue of George Armstrong, the famous manager of the Melchester team from the 1930s, on his first day with Melchester Rovers. This was a ritual all new players had to undertake and Vic steadfastly refused.
He made his debut on 29th September 1979, coming on as a substitute against Kingsbay. During his career he often courted controversy and was one of the five suspects when Roy was shot in December 1981. Roy had suspended Vic for disciplinary reasons and faced certain transfer from the club. It was Vic who had found his manager wounded in the office. However, he was vindicated and was soon back playing alongside Roy.
International
Vic was a Wales international and the team's captain.
Death
Tragically, Vic was killed on 19 July 1986 when eight of the Rovers were innocent victims of a bungled act of terrorism in war-torn Basran.[1][2] Five more players died, including Jimmy Slade.
Style of play
Vic played as centre-back and right back for Rovers. The "Superbrat" was a controversial signing from Second Division Westbury Town. He was famed for his short temper and violent on-pitch episodes. Roy Race would never truly tame him, but he was a key member of the 79/80 title-winning side. But his poor form was a major reason why Rovers were relegated the next season. Guthrie would sit out most of the promotion campaign for disciplinary reasons, as well as being a suspect in Race's shooting. Guthrie would return as a first team pick until his untimely death in the Basran Disaster in 1986.
Legacy
Personal life
Honours
All of these records are fictional, of course, and only date as far as 2000, the last fully completed season of the comic strip.
League
- First Division: 1'
- 1980
- Second Division: 1'
- 1982
Cups
- FA Cup: 1
- 1984
European
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:
- 1985
International
- Summer International Tournaments:
- Australia 1978, Crete 1980, Scotland 1981
