Roy of the Rovers - New Stories: Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - The 2013/14 Season FORUM Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - The 2013/14 Season Melchester Rovers begin the 2013/14 season with new owners and a new management team. Can Vernon Eliot, Gerry Holloway and Roy Race lead Rovers back to the top? What dramatic off-field events will happen? Find out by reading the full collection here... THE STORY CONTINUES EVERY WEDNESDAY Some parts of the story are written as prose but each edition includes BRAND NEW comic book action (as seen below), newspaper extracts, statistics and match reports. Feedback is of course welcome, please use the comments section below or under each weekly release... Yelcomb Roy of the Rovers - Melchester Rovers relaunched online comic | Daily Mail Online comments '89 minutes gone in the Cup final, we're deadlocked at one-all and heading for extra time here at Wembley. But wait, here come Melchester Rovers again...Noel Baxter has it on the wing and the crowd roars him on.

Inside to Lofty Peak and the Scot heads it on to Blackie Gray! He’s looking for options and suddenly there’s Race! Race gets the ball, he lines up to shoot. AND it’s there! Roy Race wins the Cup for Melchester!’ For a generation of football fans, those words and names will have just brought back a flood of memories. Thousands up and down the country followed the fortunes of comic strip creation Melchester Rovers as closely as their own team for years and years. The fantastical character of Roy Race - that phenomenal goal machine with his flowing blonde locks - drew as much respect and wonder as real life players. Comic book hero: Thousands of football fans up and down the country followed the fortunes of Roy Race and Melchester United in the weekly Roy of the Rovers comic strips Front cover of Tiger (13 April 1963 edition), featuring Roy of the Rovers drawn by Paul Trevillion All Imagery © 2012 Egmont UK Ltd. Roy of the Rovers ® For nearly 50 years, schoolboys would save up their pocket money and rush down to the newsagent to grab the latest issue of ‘Roy of the Rovers’ – an extraordinary work of riveting football fiction.

There was never a dull moment – when they were not being kidnapped by rebel militias in the South American jungle on their pre-season tour or fighting strife in the boardroom, Melchester managed to win three European Cups, ten FA Cups and ten league championships! Race enjoyed a 40-year playing career, all but one year of which was with Melchester, and scored an incredible 481 goals (by rough calculations) for his clubs and 52 for England – though he never graced a World Cup or European Championships as injury always seemed to get in the way. It was boy’s own stuff every week - a cavalcade of hat-tricks, last-gasp victories and shiny silverware. This was what playground footballers always dreamt of issued weekly in a flash of red and gold coloured ink. The Roy of the Rovers comic strip in its last guise folded in 2001 but in an age when players like Lionel Messi seem like an incarnation of Roy Race, his spirit lives on in the hyperbole of commentators (‘It’s Roy of the Rovers stuff here!’), the old editions gathering dust in many attics, and now in an online archive accessible on your iPad and other forms.

Roy scores again in the 21st century as part of a release of classic comics by Egmont UK this year. Five volumes of Roy of the Rovers comics from the seventies and eighties are available at the moment through the iBook store on Apple’s iPad tablet. What’s more, you can see a sample of five pages beneath this article. There’s also a new range of merchandise out just in time for Christmas at Marks and Spencer.

Goal machine: Roy Race had a phenomenal record of 481 club and 52 international goals in his 40-year playing career, but he never had the opportunity to represent England at a major tournament owing to injury THE MELCHESTER TROPHY CABINET Division One Champions – 1931, 1932, 1933, 1951, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1988, 1992 Division One Play-Off Winners – 1998 Division Two Champions – 1903, 1982 FA Cup – 1907, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1947, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984

, 1990, 1999 League Cup – 1974, 1986, 1987 European Cup – 1964, 1969, 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup – 1967, 1971, 1975, 1985 UEFA Cup – 1979 Fans will be able to re-live in high resolution glory all the epic matches and captivating storylines of the original.

The team’s disappearance in the depths of the South American jungle in 1960 when their aircraft was shot by rebel forces fighting a bloody civil war. The extraordinary deja-vu in 1964 when the Rovers were captured by bandits near Bogota in Columbia, only to later escape on horseback. The drama of 1981 when Roy, by then Melchester player-manager, was gunned down in his office by a disgruntled actor who played him on TV. The collapse of Roy’s marriage to Penny Laine in the early eighties and his sensational move to rivals Walford Rovers after falling out with the board in 1983. The tragedy of eight squad members being killed by terrorists in war-torn Basran in the late eighties, Roy’s retirement from Melchester live on Sky Sports in 1992 and the helicopter crash that ended his career the following year. There was also the emergence of Roy ‘Rocky’ Race, his son, in the nineties – if anything, an every hotter goalscoring prospect. What endeared the comic to so many was its synchronisation with the real world of football.

The plot ran in tandem with the football season, with the drama gradually building to a crescendo as May grew nearer. Inevitably, Melchester always found themselves challenging for honours or trying to escape relegation. Stocking fillers: A Roy of the Rovers annual would always be a delight to unwrap on Christmas morning Mighty Melchester! An early Rovers line-up It was a comic strip that could be enjoyed by the whole family and shared with friends, while it also took a ballsy stand against issues of the age such as hooliganism. ‘People who treasure our national game don’t want you! I don’t want you!’ screamed Roy at the thugs in 1990. The story spawned a whole roster of teammates – Roy’s great friend and strike partner Blackie Gray and uncompromising Scottish midfielder Lofty Peak. There were even some real stars – Bob Wilson and Emlyn Hughes came out of retirement to play for Melchester in 1985, while Sir Alf Ramsey took over as manager when Roy fell into a coma. But more than anything, the adventures of Roy and his pals showed football at its best – captivating, unpredictable and so very often, simply fantastic.

The Roy of the Rovers archive can be downloaded for iPad via the iBooks store now. A new range of Roy of the Rovers-related merchandise, including Blow Football, Table Football, wallet and keyring, can be bought via Marks and Spencer here . RELATED ARTICLES Share A TIMELINE OF ROY OF THE ROVERS 1954 – First appearance of Roy of the Rovers on September 11, as a feature in the comic Tiger 1960 – The Melchester Rovers team disappeared when their aircraft was shot by rebel forces in a South American civil war 1964 – The squad is kidnapped near Bogota and has to escape on horseback 1968 – Roy Race breaks the club’s 30-year club record with his 300th goal 1976 – Roy of the Rovers starts up as a separate comic with the first edition released on September 25.

It runs for 853 issues, until March 20, 1993 1978 – Race stands in as England manager for a friendly with Holland after the national team boss is injured in a car crash 1981 – Roy is gunned down in his office by a mystery assassin. It later turns out to be a disgruntled actor who played him on TV Early 1980s – Roy’s wife Penny leaves him, in a storyline covered by national news 1985 – Former stars Bob Wilson and Emlyn Hughes come out of retirement to play for Melchester. Martin Kemp and Steve Norman, of the pop group Spandau Ballet, join the board in the same year. Eight members of the Melchester team are killed in a bungled act of terrorism in war-torn Basran. 1992 – Roy sensationally quits Melchester on Sky Sports 1993 – Re-launches as a monthly comic with grittier storylines aimed at teenage readers.

Roy’s playing days are ended after nearly 40 years when he loses control of his helicopter and crashes into a field 1997 – Final home for the comic is Match of the Day magazine – until 2001 2012 – Roy of the Rovers archive launched for iPad Roy of the Rovers celebrates 60 years - in pictures | Football | The Guardian Roy of the Rovers celebrates 60 years - in pictures Roy of the Rovers celebrates 60 years - in pictures Share on Messenger Close Launched in Tiger magazine in 1954, the Melchester Rovers striker’s career captured the imagination of youngsters and adults alike – here we take a look through the archive of football’s comic-book role model. Click here to read more about Roy Race. Steven Bloor Monday 8 September 2014 18.09 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 10.43 EDT The evolution of Roy of the Rovers. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd.

All rights reserved 11th September 1954 saw the first ever issue of Tiger - The sport and adventure picture story weekly - which features Roy of the Rovers. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Roy of the Rovers in the 13 April 1963 issue of Tiger. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved The Roy of the Rovers take on the 1966 World Cup. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Roy Race’s thumping shot stops a crook in his tracks in an issue of Tiger from February 1969. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Melchester’s substitute keeper Reg stands in for the king of El Manador in the 18 July 1970 edition of Tiger. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Roy of the Rovers gets married to Penny Laine in the 15 May 1976 issue of Tiger.

Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Such was the popularity of Roy of the Rovers in Tiger that Roy Race was given his own comic, the first issue of which came out in September 1976. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Roy of the Rovers addresses the issue of football hooliganism in December 1977. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Trevor Francis and Malcolm MacDonald join Roy Race in the England team in January 1978 Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Pinterest With the phrase ‘Real Roy of the Rovers stuff’ entering into the footballing lexicon, even the comic itself started referencing the popular phrase. In this instance it’s the ferocious Roy Race-esque shot by Bristol City’s Don Gillies that has got the headline writers excited in March 1978. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. A Racey Rocket in September 1978.

Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Roy Race is given a tempting offer to coach the Basran national team in September 1978. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved An August 1981 Super Celebration Issue of Roy of the Rovers showing Roy, Penny and family at the Royal Wedding. Photograph: 2014 Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Roy Race is shot in December 1981. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved In March 1982 Roy Race returns to Melchester Rovers after coming out of the coma he was in following his shooting. He is welcomed by Sir Alf Ramsey who had stepped in as manager whilst Race was in hospital. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved The Great Melchester Massacre in July 1986 Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman and Martin Kemp join Melchester Rovers Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd.

All rights reserved A new look for Roy of the Rovers magazine, and Roy Race in August 1986. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved An earthquake hits Melchester in August 1988. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. The cover of the last ever issue of the weekly Roy of the Rovers comic in March 1993. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Roy Race lies unconscious in the wreckage of his crashed helicopter in the cliff-hanger ending in the last issue of the weekly Roy of the Rovers comic. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Pinterest The fate of Race was revealed in the new Roy of the Rovers monthly magazine. Readers discovered that the helicopter crash had resulted in the amputation of his famous left foot, ending his playing career and resulting in his move to Italy as the manager of fictional Serie A side AC Monza. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

Roy of the Rovers - Total Football - Part 4 | Denmark Roy of the Rovers - Total Football - Part 4 Melchester Rovers take on newly promoted Castleton at Mel Park in Johan Seegrun's first league match in charge. Declan McKaffree has big news. While John Rogers continues his adventures in Spain...

Copyright: © All Rights Reserved Roy of the Rovers - Total Football - Part 7 | Association Football | Defender (Association Football) Roy of the Rovers – Total FootballPart 7 Forward Marco De Loon scored Melchester Rovers’ first competitive goal of the season as they eased past Blackton Wanderers into the third round of the League Cup !he ""#year#old slid a shot past Luke $ay after a neat turn inside the %o& to put the 'remier League side ahead Blackton(s %est chance fell to )ack Curtsey* whose effort was %locked %ythe sliding Ryan +mall* and after that the visitors rarely threatenedRovers %oss )ohan +eegrun made ,- changes to the team that lost .#- at /ings%ay on +aturday evening* giving de%uts to $ary Canning and )immy +tein0t was Melchester who had the %etter of the first half %efore De Loon found the %ottom right#hand corner after the Dutchman worked himself into a shooting positionChampionship outfit Blackton did put the away side under pressure from set pieces and throw#ins* %ut without

 stretching the Rovers defenceDe%utant winger Canning hit the side netting after a well#worked corner in the second half for the hosts* who face Rotherton in the 'remier League on +aturdayMelchester Rovers entertain Bradfield !own in the third round Melchester manager Johan Seegrun: 12ll forwards want to score and Marco has that !he goal will give him confidence %ut he put in a very good shift What we learned from /ings%ay was we knew the e&tra width was coming !he %est way to control that is %y us keeping the %all and we managed to do that in the second half when the long %alls into the corners that were coming in were spread out1 Blackton assistant manager George Pearson: 10(d like to think we can leave with our heads held high We(ve come up against a very talented Melchester team and apart from thelast ,- minutes 0 think we created some good chances 0f we were a %it more ruthless we might have gone into e&tra#time1 * * *

 Tension mixed with pungent Deep Heat at Melchester Training Ground.

The victory over a weak Blackton Wanderers had done nothing to ease the strain etween !ohan "eegrun# his supporters in the s$uad and the mutineers# led y %ichie &yons. Thursday was the day that "eegrun and 'alker(s training sessions )ocussed entirely on Total Football . &yons# Drew owell and Harry !acos already knew they were dropped )or the "unday match at home to %otherton# they showed no intention o) +oining the morning(s workout# pre)erring to stay in the gymnasium. The captain# !ake ,heetham# scowled at his est )riend owell# who avoided eye contact as he pounded the running machine. ,heetham had stuck y his pal# egged his manager to reconsider his sanctions# ut the Dutchman was not one to ack down# as stuorn as they come.

The -ingsay # as they were now +okingly re)erred to in the %overs dressing room# had een training alone# apart )rom the one session in preparation )or the Blackton &eague ,up match# in which &yons and owell were to e sustitutes. "eegrun(s response to his dissenters would e considered extreme in the real world o) work# ut in )ootall players do occasionally need reminding o) who is ultimately accountale )or team per)ormance. layers were never sacked )or playing poorly# the manager would e removed as a result o) such events. "eegrun had made it clear that his system was at )ault# ut so were the players who could not trans)er their good work on the training /eld to the remier &eague.0s !ake stretched with the other /rst1team s$uad he thought ack to earlier in the week.

Monday(s team meeting had not een as stress)ul as he had )eared. "eegrun spoke con/dently and calmly aout his concerns. layers with concerns o) their own were o2ered the opportunity to speak up. 3one did# except the captain# 4Boss# 5 get the system# 5 think we all do. But it goes against our instincts. When we(re playing poorly# what we usually do is revert to a simple game plan and try and get the asics right6 like at the end o) last season. 7ou(re asking a team that(s out o) )orm to play the most complex tactics we(ve ever known. ,an(t you understand why some o) us are getting )rustrated89 The manager paused )or thought# he knew ,heetham had made a very good point. 45 do understand. What 5 do not understand is the panic. Too many o) you seem too concerned with the )orm. :orm is irrelevant# results are what matter. We have lost two games# we have drawn two games.

7es# we have not scored# ut in two games we kept did not concede. That is a positive. Too many o) you respond too much to )eedack )rom outside this clu. The )eedack that matters comes )rom me and )rom 'alker6 understand845 am not entirely unhappy with what 5 am seeing. ;ntil -ingsay we were a solidside# di<cult to eat. 5 think some o) you do not understand that Total Football is total# it is not +ust an attacking system# it is as much a de)ensive system. 5n )act the de)ensive positions are the most vital# the sweeper6 ,arruthers=9 he pointed at the young de)ender# 47our main duties8 Tell me=9 0s i) he were ack in grammar school !ames stood as he spoke# 4To start attacks with short passes=9 "eegrun span on the spot# arms >ailing# 43o= 7our main duty is to sweep ? sweeper ?

you move along ehind the ackline and clean up= 7ou are a de)ender /rst# always=9"eegrun(s mission to change the )ootalling philosophy at Melchester %overs wasnever going to e easy. But the manager was only +ust eginning to realise the )undamental lack o) understanding many o) his players had o) his system. His captain elieved that they all understood what he was asking o) them# ut he was wrong. ,arruthers was y )ar the most academically gi)ted memer o) the %overs s$uad.

7et even he had )ailed to grasp the asic concepts o) Total Football Comic strip football hero Roy of the Rovers reveals how Scots team-mate could start fight in empty house - and did - Daily Record Comic strip football hero Roy of the Rovers reveals how Scots team-mate could start fight in empty house - and did SOCCER icon lifts lid on 38-year playing career - which began in weekly comic Tiger - in new autobiography. Share Football legend Roy of the Rovers Share Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email FOOTBALL superstar Roy Race has revealed the time his fiery Scots team-mate started a fight in an empty house. The soccer icon’s new autobiography lifts the lid on the star’s remarkable playing career – which, at 38 years long, is unlikely ever to be bettered. And like the other footballing Roy with a book out, he has pulled no punches about the antics of some of his team-mates.

Race lifted the lid on the outrageous behaviour of Scots hardman Duncan “Big Dunc” McKay, Melchester Rovers’ uncompromising centre-half, saying: “The mid-to-late 70s team holds a special place in the hearts of the fans and always will. “There were the hardmen – and none harder than Big Dunc, who was famous for having started a fight in an empty house. Hardman Duncan McKay “The house in question was the one he had just moved into, over at Rollerton Grove, and he was waiting in for the removal men to arrive with his furniture when he looked out and saw some blokes on the other side of the pavement whom Big Dunc didn’t like the look of. “Big Dunc threw up the sash and shouted, ‘Oi, you lot, want some?’ And just like that, this being the 70s, it was on. Apparently the ensuing scrap lasted for about four hours, with numbers swelled by the removal men who joined in.

“The altercation only stopped when everyone was exhausted and agreed to go to the pub – where, having taken time to recover and get their breath back, they resumed in the car park.” It’s also revealed that Dunc once threatened a journalist with a pair of laundry tongs after the reporter had unearthed a story about Dunc’s wife and a male striptease ensemble called Pecs-Tacular. The anecdotes are revealed in Race’s new autobiography, called Roy, in which he lifts the lid on his astonishing career. The autobiography of Roy Race Race recalls almost all of the 481 goals he scored mainly at the club he supported as a boy, Melchester Rovers. The striker was forced to retire after his legendary left foot was amputated following a helicopter crash 20 years ago. He also survived five kidnappings, two earthquakes, an assassination attempt and a car bomb attack that tragically killed eight of his team-mates on a tour of Basran. Race first appeared as a feature in weekly comic Tiger in 1954. The strip was later deemed successful enough to sustain its own magazine and Roy of the Rovers was launched in 1976. It ran for 851 issues until 1993.

At its peak, about 450,000 copies were sold each week. Roy: The Official Autobiography of Roy of the Rovers, by Roy Race, is published by Century, £16.99. Roy of the Rovers celebrates 60 years – football’s comic-book role model | Football | The Guardian Soccer Roy of the Rovers celebrates 60 years – football’s comic-book role model Launched in Tiger magazine in 1954, the Melchester Rovers striker’s career captured the imagination of youngsters and adults alike – and even former England manager Alf Ramsey. Click here to see how Roy of the Rovers has changed over the years in our gallery Roy of the Rovers through the ages. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Monday 8 September 2014 11.50 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 10.43 EDT Share on Messenger Close It is a phrase embedded in the game’s vernacular, a character from a bygone age and a team that, somehow, overcame the odds on a weekly basis.

Sixty years ago Roy of the Rovers was first published as a comic strip – six decades since Roy Race’s golden locks and debonair charm first enraptured youngsters and adults alike to evoke dreams of glory and unlikely tales of sporting bravura. “He was everything you would want a footballer to be,” says Barrie Tomlinson, who worked on the comic strip for 30 years. “Roy was an example of how it should be done. I know it sounds corny but that’s how it was.” Say the words Roy Race and Melchester Rovers to someone of a certain generation and the eyes mist up, a reflective pause follows before a wistful smile. To many those names represent childhood, escapism and sheer joy – the weekly ritual of buying a comic , reading in rapid time before poring over the same pages again and again until the next edition hit the shelves. It was a time before the digital age, when readers wrote letters to voice their disapproval of a particular storyline or merely to ask for Roy’s autograph. It was a time when the England manager would be asked for his opinions on a fictional character and responded, sincerely. It was a time when a comic book regularly became national news.

Roy of the Rovers tackled issues of the day: here the comic addressed football hooliganism in a 1977 strip. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Roy of the Rovers first appeared in Tiger magazine on 11 September 1954 and during its heyday had a circulation of about 400,000. After 22 years of success it moved from Tiger in 1976 and became its own weekly publication until 1993, when sales had declined to 20,000, although the story did run on a monthly basis until 2001 in various forms . The drama never stopped. Aside from Race’s nine league titles, eight FA Cup victories, three European Cups and many international caps, there was plenty to keep readers entertained off the field. Melchester were ambushed by rebels in South America, an assassination attempt on Roy Race failed in 1981, an earthquake at Mel Park and the appointment of Geoffrey Boycott as chairman were just a few examples of the remarkable struggles at the club.

There was also the time eight Melchester players were killed by terrorist activity in the Middle-East state of Basran, before the eventual demise of Race himself, the centre-forward turned player-manager’s career cruelly cut short after losing a foot in a disastrous helicopter crash. “In the early days Melchester Rovers would always do remarkably well and almost win every match that they played,” says Tomlinson, a former editor of Tiger who launched Roy of the Rovers magazine. “Then they changed it and it went much more true to life, the audience began to expect a more sophisticated storyline. Roy was the first comic book hero to get married and that had lots of support from the readers. “His wife, Penny, left him because he was spending too much time at the football club and it was national news. Every newspaper carried the story and it was on TV and radio. I was whisked on to ITN to discuss the serious situation and then in the evening on the BBC.

Roy of the Rovers is such an important character in children’s comics – I was very fortunate to be part of it for so long.” Frank Pepper was the author of the original strip, while early stories were written alongside Bobby Charlton, who many associate with Race’s gentlemanly demeanour. Throughout the controversy that engulfed Melchester, throughout the myriad scandals, he remained the quintessential model professional, regularly emerging with his integrity intact and, quite often, with it enhanced. Yet while Race was a constant protagonist from 1954 to 1993, the cast of illustrators and writers changed significantly. Joe Colquhoun was the original artist but was followed by Paul Trevillion, Yvonne Hutton, David Sque and Michael White. Derek Birnage, an early editor of Tiger, played a key writing role before Tom Tully. It was in the 60s when the strip’s popularity accelerated. Trevillion, who illustrated the strip in a new style of comic realism between 1963-65, recalls one particular moment when he first realised how famous the story had become.

He said: “I was at Tottenham’s training ground one day and Danny Blanchflower said to Bill Nicholson as Cliff Jones went past about three players: ‘He thinks he’s Roy of the Rovers.’ I couldn’t believe it. Then I was told that kids were writing in for Roy’s autograph.” It was at that time when Alf Ramsey took a keen interest in Race’s travails. The England manager was an avid reader and often provided Trevillion with his constructive criticism on the illustrations, before becoming a character in the strip himself. “Alf was my art teacher,” joked Trevillion. “It was always the same argument, Alf would always call me and say: ‘He’s in the wrong position, he’s leaning too far back and the ball would have gone over the bar.’ It was Alf who always said: ‘Go out and watch Bobby Charlton.’ ” However, there were storylines that readers did not always appreciate, such as the introduction to the team of Martin Kemp and Steve Norman from Spandau Ballet, or Bob Wilson and Emlyn Hughes, who many associated with TV and celebrity culture rather than football.

Sque, the illustrator between 1974 and 1986, said: “Someone came up with the idea and I knew it would be the death of Roy, to make him into a ‘real character’. He married his secretary Penny, she had twins and it all tied in with Prince Charles and Diana getting married at the same time. I knew when we made him a real character his son would end up taking over. That put a time-limit on it.” Indeed, after the helicopter crash of 1993 it was Rocky Race, Roy’s son, who became the driving force of the strip. However, in the face of digital competition, there was to be no return to the glory days of old. Roy Race was involved in a terrible helicopter crash onto a football pitch in March 1993. Photograph: 2014 ©Egmont UK Ltd. All rights reserved Egmont UK currently holds the rights and is commemorating the strip’s 60th anniversary with a new Roy Race autobiography next month. There may be many young fans of the modern game for whom this will not even register, oblivious to a character who once was entwined in the very fabric of English football.

For some, though, Roy of the Rovers will never die. “I think it’s a tragedy that Roy isn’t around any more,” says Tomlinson. “Football is so much more dramatic now than it was in Roy’s day that the storylines would be much easier to write – but he’s still my best friend.” Roy of the Rovers Database Story | FM Scout Home › Forums › Football Manager 2013 › FM13 Manager Stories Roy of the Rovers Database Story All of the famous opponents of Melchester Rovers enter the lower leagues to see who will rise to challange the real life teams. []] Pages corbmiester 2013-08-21 20:41 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 My ambition with this save is to take a fictional comic book team as far as I can into the "real world". No famous players are recreated here except for authentic club colors. All teams begin in the lowest tier of English football possible, which will be the Western and Wessex premier Leagues. The teams selected are known to me during the 1980's with a little help from Wikipedia.

Teams like Walford who Roy Race once managed, Melboro the Melchester Rovers arch enemy, and even Danefield Utd but without Johnny "Hardman" Dexter of course. I started as unemployed and took the best offer which came from Danefield United. No team has received any special tweaks or money etc, however all comic book teams operate on a professional status. └ This post was edited by corbmiester (2013-08-21 22:49, 3 years ago) Nathaniel 2013-08-21 20:43 668 posts 89 likes joined May 08, 2013 Nice! Could be a great story mate! You should speak to Stam about uploading this database to the site though! I would imagine a lot of people would like to download it! 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 For those who have no clue who Danefield United are, here are some Wiki pointers.

Johnny Dexter was a fictional footballer who appeared in three different comic strips in the British boys' comic Roy of the Rovers during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He was a defender, playing centre-back for Danefield United and England and usually left-back for Melchester Rovers. He was amongst the most popular characters in the comic, being the only one other than Roy himself ever to appear on the cover of one of the comic's annuals, and is still fondly remembered by fans of the "golden age" of British sports-themed comics. Dexter made his debut in the very first issue of the weekly Roy of the Rovers comic, dated 25 September 1976, starring in the strip The Hard Man. Johnny was the titular character, so named because of his rugged style of play and fiery temper, which often got him into trouble with referees. He initially played for Danefield United, but was transferred to Spanish team Real Granpala, where he first encountered Hungarian manager Viktor Boskovic, who followed him back to Danefield when he returned there. The strip was written by Barrie Tomlinson and usually drawn by Doug Maxted.

The tone of the strip was generally light-hearted, with large doses of humour provided by the camp antics of the fat, bald-headed Boskovic, who was fond of kissing his players when they performed well, and often fainted during moments of high drama. Johnny also regularly found himself involved in off-pitch slapstick, including one memorable storyline in which he travelled to Italy to discuss signing for a top Serie A team. After rebuffing the team's owner, he ended up in prison and then was forced to try and flee the country dressed in drag. The Hard Man ran for nine years, but came to an end (as part of a larger overhaul of the comic) when a rising star named Bobby Williams took Dexter's first team place during a pre-season tour of the continent. When Johnny returned for pre-season training he put in a transfer request, which Viktor accepted. Somewhat bizarrely considering his status as a former England international, the only club to make a bid for Johnny was the worst club in the Football League, Burnside Athletic, who had finished bottom of the Fourth Division in three of the previous four seasons.

Johnny was granted a free transfer and appeared in the "Hard Man" strip for the last time on 10 August 1985. During the summer of 1986, the Melchester Rovers team depicted in the main Roy of the Rovers strip had been decimated by a terrorist atrocity which had killed several players, and Dexter joined the club as one of manager Roy Race's new signings as he re-built the team (making him one of a number of players who migrated from their own strip to the main RotR strip during the comic's lifetime). He continued to play for Rovers until the demise of the weekly comic in 1993 and then went on to appear for them during the subsequent short-lived Roy of the Rovers Monthly, his temper causing rifts with both Blackie Gray and Mervyn Wallace during their spells as Rovers manager. He also memorably had an on-pitch fight with his own team-mate, Roy's son Rocky. While with the Rovers he helped them win the Littlewoods Cup in 1987, the Football League Championship in 1988 and 1992, and the FA Cup in 1990.

91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 Now were up to date, this story can now truly begin....Post season.... corbmiester 2013-08-26 15:45 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 "We are hoping that all those trophy wins last season will give us added confidence for this year. We have had a big turn around in squad players during the post season due to wage demands and players we feel we could improve upon. We have a new goalkeeper in Adam Davies on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, who at 4 stars is our 2nd most talented player. At Right back we've brought in two talented players with a battle on their hands to cement a spot. I signed Shay Facey from Man City U18's who on paper should have the advantage, however 18 yr old Gary Rooney who we signed from Linfield also looks a great prospect. From Man Utd U18's we picked up left Back Reece James and two solid center Backs to give us a solid rearguard.

Corbin-Ong was made our captain due to his International Experience with Canada despite being only 22. Whilst the other Center Back Antwi was captured from AFC Wimbledon who's maturity sees him as vice captain and partner. One is good on the ground whilst the other in the air. We are lacking in quality widemen and therefore I will be forced to play talented 17 yr old new signing Chris Howells on the right. If we can sign a wideman then Howells will then play in his ideal No.10 spot. Whilst on the left we'll play 20 yr old Jake Gosling the only regular from last year. In the center sees Ex Man Utd U18 Josh Harrop and Ex Notts County U18 Greg Tempest providing the bullets and creativity. Whilst 17 yr old Welsh red head Dylan Salisbury provides the defensive cover in a 451 formation. We decided to go for a lone striker due to the poor quality of strikers at our disposal which will see Guiseppe Sole as the striker. He did ever so well at the back end of last season creating 7 goals in 8 games played. We will be hoping he leaves the creativity to others whilst banging in the goals.

So in summary our defense this year possess the best markers and positioning in the league along with great pace and heading ability. This will ensure that we play a man to man system with a high line. Whilst in the Midfield area we have the best passers and technicians in the game to ensure we play a short passing game and Barcelona style pressing due to our stamina levels. We will try to break down teams going through the middle with the widemen narrow and look for the killer passes. So all in all we have changed our style to a more fluid one that should see entertaining Football something that was slightly lacking last year." 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 DANEFIELD UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB V BURNHAM FC Burnham F.C. is a non-League football club from Burnham in Buckinghamshire, near Slough. They currently compete in the Southern Football League Premier Division. The team play in blue and white quartered shirts and blue shorts. The manager is Martin Stone and the chairman is Gary Reeves.Home matches are played at The Gore. The Gore has been recently redeveloped, with a new stand and facilities.

The club was founded in 1878, Burnham FC is the second oldest club Buckinghamshire. The club spent its first years in various local leagues, and then joined the Great Western Combination league in 1948. 16 years later they moved to the Wycombe Combination in 1964 and then spent one year in the Reading Combination for the 1970-71 season.[2] The team first joined a senior league in 1971 when they entered the Hellenic Football League Division One A, finishing as runners-up in their first season, followed by a runners-up position in Division One which saw them promoted to the Premier Division. In 1975–76 they were Premier Division champions. In 1977 they switched to the Athenian League, where they achieved two runners-up finishes, and also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase. In 1984 Burnham switched leagues to the London Spartan League, where they were champions at the first attempt.

The following year the club merged with Hillingdon Borough to form Burnham & Hillingdon F.C., taking over Hillingdon's place in the Southern League.[3][4] In 1987 the club's name reverted simply to Burnham F.C. but performances on the pitch declined and the 1994–95 season saw the club relegated back to the Hellenic League. In four seasons back at this level the club never finished out of the top 5, resulting in promotion back to the Southern League in 1999, where they remain to this day, although due to the renaming and restructuring of divisions they have technically played in three different divisions without ever being relegated or promoted. Burnham have had modest success in cup competitions. Their best run in the FA Vase came in the 1982–83 season where they lost to Halesowen Town in a two legged semi-final (the home match being the clubs highest recorded attendance). In 1999–2000 they reached the 4th Round of the FA Trophy where they drew Scarborough, then residing in the Conference (they had also recently been relegated from the Football League).

Burnham managed a very creditable 1–1 draw at home before losing 6–0 in the replay. In the 2005–06 season Dave Mudge's Burnham side achieved their best run in the FA Cup, losing 3–1 at home to Aldershot Town in the 1st Round Proper. The game was watched by one of the biggest crowds at Burnham in recent years and even saw Burnham appear briefly on Match of the Day. Burnham completed one of their best seasons in recent memory when they finished 3rd in the Southern League Division One South & West in 2006–07. Due to this league position they entered the promotion playoffs but lost at home in the semi-final 1–2 to eventual playoff winners Swindon Supermarine. This misfortunate was mirrored three seasons later, when, under the managerial guidance of Jamie Jarvis, the Blues again lost out in the semi-final of the play-offs, this time to Chesham United.

The 2012-13 season saw the club gain promotion to the premier division of the Southern league when they finished as champions of Division one central.[5] This will be the first time Burnham have ever played at this level of football. In FM13 they finished a creditable 5th last season in the Southern league before being transfered into this years Isthmian League. This will be the first time these sides have ever met. Welcome all to our opening game of the season and a special welcome to Burnham FC who become the very first real life club to play a league game at our ground. We will be relying on your faithful support to cheer us onto hopefully our opening points of the season. last season was an incredible ride for us as we won the Wessex League Title, Sydenham League Cup, Hampshire Senior Cup, and the FA Vase. It would be too much to ask for a repeat but as outsiders for promotion this year we will expect some kind of challenge for the title. Tonight sees my beloved United face this seasons first real test to our title credentials as a Mouriniho inspired Chelsea visit Old Trafford. Chelsea of late seem to have the indian sign over us.

Theres no more drogba to handle but instead a worser scenario of handling a clutch of small, tricky, and quick players. A win will send a message to all the league that we are even more dangerous with Moyes than Fergie. A draw though is a likely result but I wont be shocked if Chelsea win here tonight. My prediction 1-1. Ben Hibbs leads you through United v Chelsea at Old Trafford... 19:21 The players have just come out onto the pitch to do their warm-up and the fans inside Old Trafford sang Wayne Rooney's name. The striker received a lot of support when he came off the bench against Swansea in the opening game of the season too. He played a part in two goals that afternoon, which has earned him a starting spot tonight. 19:14 The United goalkeepers were just given a very warm reception as they made their way out to start their match preparations. 19:13 Chelsea's starting line-up is: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Oscar; De Bruyne, Hazard, Schurrle. They're playing without any recognised strikers. Interesting stuff from Mourinho.

United, on the other hand, are largely as expected. 19:06 The teams are in and it appears Stewart Gardner was correct with his prediction. The team is as follows: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck; van Persie. 18:51 It's hot and humid inside Old Trafford. The pitch looks a lush green. The groundstaff here have done an incredible job completely relaying the turf. It's the perfect stage. The players will be out to warm up on it relatively soon and we'll have team news soon.

Pkd Inf Name Position Nat Height Weight Age Value GK Adam Davies GK ENG 6'3" 11 st 13 lbs 22 £80K DR Shay Facey D/WB (R) ENG 5'8" 11 st 0 lbs 18 £4.5K DCR La'Vere Corbin-Ong D (C) CAN 6'0" 12 st 3 lbs 22 £16K DCL Wnt Will Antwi D (C) GHA 6'2" 12 st 8 lbs 30 £10K DL Reece James D (L) ENG 5'8" 10 st 7 lbs 19 £14K DMC Dylan Salisbury DM, M (C) WAL 5'9" 11 st 2 lbs 17 £500 MR Josh Harrop D (R), M (RC) ENG 5'10" 11 st 6 lbs 17 £6K MCR Wnt Chris Howells M/AM (RC) WAL 5'7" 11 st 2 lbs 18 £500 M

CL Greg Tempest M (LC) ENG 5'9" 11 st 4 lbs 18 £30K ML PR Jake Gosling M (RL) ENG 5'11" 11 st 0 lbs 20 £5K STC Giuseppe Sole ST ENG 5'11" 11 st 9 lbs 25 £8K S1 PR James Beasant GK ENG 6'2" 14 st 11 lbs 24 £4K S2 Cédric Abraham D (C) FRA 6'0" 11 st 11 lbs 31 £1.5K S3 Alistair Taylor M/AM (RL) ENG 6'1" 12 st 1 lb 21 £16K S4 Jed Harper-Penman M/AM (RL) ENG 5'7" 10 st 5 lbs 19 £4.5K S5 Nathan Buddle D (C) ENG 6'4" 14 st 2 lbs 19 £3.5K 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 201

3 Danefield United FC 1-0 Burnham FC (Isthmian League 1st Division North) A young Danefield United side showed that you can win with kids as they came out on top against a much more experienced Burnham FC team on a fine summer's afternoon at Danefield United Stadium.

Striker Giuseppe Sole got Danefield United FC off to a flyer by scoring a real poacher's effort from 11 metres on 4 minutes. Experienced centre-back Steve Casey then summed up his team's performance by nearly gifting Danefield United FC another goal on 48 minutes. Burnham FC's Smith was forced off by injury in the 76th minute. Then followed controversy as Danefield United FC were denied claims by young midfielder Jake Gosling for a penalty. Danefield United had a number of attempts at goal but their profligacy meant they didn't score as many as they maybe would have liked.

Player of the Match: Greg Tempest (Danefield United) Attendance: 8,728 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 Sat, 10.8.2013 15:00 Burnham FC H 1-0 Giuseppe Sole (4) Isthmian League 1st Division North Wed, 14.8.2013 19:45 Guernsey A 2-2 Jed Harper-Penman (72), Nathan Hotte (81) Isthmian League 1st Division North Sat, 17.8.2013 15:00 Leiston FC H 5-1 Raymond McGroggan (15), Jake Gosling (24, 62), Greg Tempest (41), Giuseppe Sole (75) Isthmian League 1st Division North Sat, 24.8.2013 15:00 Cheshunt FC A 3-2 Raymond McGroggan (41, 55, 65) Isthmian League 1st Division North

 Sat, 31.8.2013 15:00 Ashford Town (Middlesex) H 4-0 Giuseppe Sole (13), Raymond McGroggan (23, 61), David Martin (90) Isthmian League 1st Division North Wed, 4.9.2013 19:45 Romford A 2-1 David Martin (82), Will Antwi (89) Isthmian League 1st Division North Sat, 14.9.2013 15:00 Heybridge Swifts H 1-0 Michael Potts (15) Isthmian League 1st Division North Wed, 18.9.2013 19:45 Guildford City H 2-1 David Martin (33), Giuseppe Sole (pen 79) Isthmian League 1st Division North Sun, 22.9.2013 15:00 Beaconsfield SYCOB A 1-1 David Martin (21) Isthmian League 1st Division North Wed, 2

5.9.2013 19:45 AFC Sudbury A 1-1 Adam Baker (27) Isthmian League 1st Division North Sat, 28.9.2013 15:00 Ware FC A 3-0 Dylan Salisbury (37, 65, 90+4) Isthmian Ryman League Cup 1st Rnd Pos Inf Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D.

Pts 1st Soham Town Rangers 10 8 2 0 17 7 +10 26 2nd Danefield United 10 7 3 0 22 9 +13 24 3rd Maldon & Tiptree Town 10 5 4 1 16 11 +5 19 4th Guernsey 10 4 5 1 19 10 +9 17 5th AFC Sudbury 10 4 5 1 18 9 +9 17 6th Milboro 10 4 5 1 14 10 +4 17 7th Heybridge Swifts 10 5 1 4 15 10 +5 16 8th Burnham FC 10 4 2 4 12 9 +3 14 9th Cheshunt FC 10 3 3 4 14 14 0 12 10th Potters Bar Town 10 2 

6 2 8 10 -2 12 11th Beaconsfield SYCOB 10 3 2 5 17 18 -1 11 12th Leiston FC 10 2 5 3 11 14 -3 11 13th Ware FC 10 3 2 5 10 13 -3 11 14th Ashford Town (Middlesex) 10 3 2 5 10 18 -8 11 15th Romford 10 2 4 4 14 17 -3 10 16th AFC Hayes 10 3 1 6 9 15 -6 10 17th Guildford City 10 2 3 5 10 20 -10 9 18th Godalming Town 10 0 7 3 8 12 -4 7 19th Horsham YMCA 10 1 3 6 8 16 -8

 6 20th Wroxham FC 10 1 3 6 10 20 -10 6 "THE TEAM IS DOING AMAZINGLY WELL CORFOS IS A BLOODY GENIUS!" DANEFIELD UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB V GODALMING TOWN The club traces its origins to Godalming United FC, a club formed in 1950 by former pupils of Godalming Grammar School.

In 1970 Surrey Senior League side Farncombe folded. Godalming took over their debts and their Meadrow ground, changing their name to Godalming & Farncombe FC and the name of the ground to Weycourt. The club was accepted into the Combined Counties League in 1979, and in 1980 changed its name again, this time to Godalming Town FC. The team were league champions in 1983–84 but subsequently slipped down the league until by the early 1990s they were regularly battling against relegation. In 1992 the Guildford Football Appeal donated money towards the cost of adding floodlights to the ground, and in return the name of the club was changed once more, to Godalming & Guildford FC. During the 2005 close season, the club reverted to the name Godalming Town. In 2005–06 Godalming won the Combined Counties League title and were promoted to the Isthmian League Division One South, the highest level at which the club had ever played.

In the 2009–10 season manager Chuck Martini led the side to the play-off final, where they lost 2–1 to Folkestone Invicta, and the Surrey Senior Cup final, where the G's beat Isthmian League Premier Division side Sutton United 2–1. Ground[edit source | editbeta] Godalming Town play their home games at Wey Court, Meadrow, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 3JE. When the club took over Wey Court, a new pitch was laid on the site of an old waste tip, although drainage problems and subsidence meant the team had to play at Broadwater Park for a period. In 1985 another local club, Addlestone & Weybridge Town, folded and, before their ground at Liberty Lane was demolished, Godalming purchased the stand and perimeter fence, re-erecting the stand at Weycourt with seating and a fascia added. In 1995 a new turnstile building was erected incorporating a turnstile from Millwall's old ground, and in 1996 the clubhouse was refurbished.

In 2006 another turnstile was donated, this time by Southend United and a new covered stand was built. Last season in FM13 they finished 12th in the Southern league 1st Div central.However this season they are finding this new league a bit tough and occupy one of three relegation spots. " Welcome everyone to another home game against a struggling Godalming side. The fact that our opponents have found it hard going so far is no excuse for us to think we will easily win when we turn up. We have to keep our concentration levels up to maintain our unbeaten start. Congratulations to our defensive midfielder Dylan Salisbury who amazingly hit a hat-trick in our away win over Ware FC. After a couple of draws it was refreshing to get back to winning ways.With your support we hope to continue this unbeaten run today. After watching a boring 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea three things were learned. 1. Chelsea respects our firepower so much that he decided to flood the midfield without a striker and park the bus. 2.This game showed why we need a top level midfield creator. Fellani is not the answer but his power is needed.

Why don't we get Kaka or Ozil even if on loan. 3. Kagawa is at Kaka and Ozil's level now but is not trusted for a big game like this and even Clown Cleverley keeps him out? ADAM DAVIES ON LOAN KEEPER FROM SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY HAS SO FAR BEEN OUR MOST OVERUSED PLAYER PLAYING IN EVERY GAME SO FAR. A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IS TO KEEP HIM INJURY FREE. Goalkeeping Tendency To Punch 9 Throwing 9 Dylan Salisbury was the best player on the park this afternoon during Danefield United's convincing 3-0 Isthmian Ryman League Cup First Round victory over Ware FC, according to TEAMtalk.com. The Danefield United FC defensive midfielder put in a superb performance for his side and will be delighted that he was able to cap his display with three goals. Salisbury gave Danefield United FC the lead with a tap-in in the 37th minute. Salisbury added his 2nd goal of the game with a nice effort from 10 metres on 65 minutes. Salisbury completed the rout on 94 minutes with a free kick.

The defensive midfielder's accuracy of passing was a contributing factor towards this impressive display. Salisbury has been in superb form for Danefield United so far this season, contributing three goals and two assists in ten appearances. Danefield United's thirty-six games unbeaten from Saturday 2nd February 2013 is a new Danefield United record. Also the six games won in a row between Saturday 17th August 2013 and Wednesday 18th September 2013 is a new Isthmian League 1st Division North record. 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 Danefield United FC 2-0 Godalming Town (Isthmian League 1st Division North) A highly polished performance from the Danefield United FC players saw their team run out 2-0 winners over Godalming Town at Danefield United Stadium. Midfielder David Martin got Danefield United FC off to a flyer by scoring an incisive finish from 13 metres on 5 minutes. David Martin put in a player of the match performance.

The left midfielder's work rate was exemplary as he covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Martin has been in superb form on loan at Danefield United so far this season, contributing five goals and three assists in eight appearances. Young striker Raymond McGroggan finally rounded off their victory on 83 minutes with an incisive finish from 10 metres. United maintain 2nd spot in the league and have extended their unbeaten record in the Isthmian League 1st Division North to eleven games. Some delightful early season displays have left The Hardmen's fans dreaming of promotion after many pundits predicted little more than a top half finish at the start of the campaign. Player of the Match: David Martin (Danefield United) Attendance: 7,874 "FINALLY IT SEEMS UNITED HAVE GOT A REAL GEM ON THE WINGS IN LOANEE DAVE MARTIN.

HE'S ON LOAN FROM LUTON TOWN AND HE OOZES CLASS" 91 posts 8 likes joined Aug 16, 2013 DANEFIELD UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB V WARE FC Danefield United: 1-6 (Fav) Draw: 5-1 Ware FC: 10-1 (Isthmian League 1st Division North) Danefield United are sure-fire favourites to overwhelm part-timers Ware FC in what should be a comfortable home encounter for the Hardmen, according to Sky Bet. Following Danefield United's 1-2 Isthmian League 1st Division North defeat against Wroxham FC last Saturday, Oldman's side are 2nd in the Isthmian League 1st Division North with 37 points from 17 matches. Danefield United have won four of their last five home league games. By winning the forthcoming fixture, Danefield United can move up to 1st in the table and will hope to leapfrog Soham Town Rangers.

Ware FC have been performing above expectations in the Isthmian League 1st Division North so far this season and find themselves in 11th place. Ware FC have lost three of their last five away league games. The referee for the match will be Jacob Payne. Ware History The Club was founded in 1892 and although first called Ware Town soon changed its name to plain Ware FC. This unassuming title makes it probably the shortest named affiliate of the Football Association and has caused problems for programme editors and journalists ever since. In fact, the Club has been anything but unassuming. It has held senior status from its very beginning, entering the Herts Senior Cup for the first time in 1893, and winning the cup on the first of five occasions in 1899 with a 2-1 win over Hitchin at St Albans. By this time Ware had been instrumental in founding the East Herts League and had won its championship on two of the three times it had been competed for. The club was to win it five more times before moving on to the North Middlesex League in 1907 and then also to the Herts County League in 1908.

The Championship of the latter came that season in a three-way play off against St Albans City and Welwyn. After the First World War the Club gained a league and cup double with a second Herts County League Championship and a fourth Herts Senior Cup win in 1922. The scenes in Ware when the team returned with the Senior Cup tell us something about the hold that football had on local loyalties at the time. The local paper reported that "Large crowds awaited the return of the special train to Ware, everybody being in high spirits. The Cup was marched through the town in front of a cheering throng." Indeed, it was later recalled that the cup was taken through the town on subsequent nights and that stops were made outside public houses where it was charged with beer before being drained by the crowd. Shortly after this Ware joined the Spartan League in which they were to enjoy several successes, winning the Division 2(B) Championship in 1926, Division 1 in 1951 with the highest "goals for" total ever achieved by a club in the Spartan League, and the Premier Division in 1952.

In these later years the Club also made significant progress in the old Amateur Cup meeting many famous sides on the way. One of these was Hendon, against whom Ware drew their largest attendance of 3,800 in the 1st Round in January 1957. Moving on to the Delphian League and then Athenian League, Ware enjoyed another successful period. Two promotions, two league cup wins and two reserve championships paved the way for progress in the FA Cup. In this Ware reached the First Round proper for the first time in 1968 when they travelled to the then Third Division side Luton Town. The opposition had a 100% home record but the game was scoreless with 30 minutes to go before a judicious substitution broke the stalemate and left Ware beaten 6-1 at the final whistle. In these successful circumstances it was not surprising that Ware pressed for entry to the expanding Isthmian League. This was achieved for season 1975/76 and they have maintained their place in the league ever since.

This is thanks most recently to their Division 2 Championship season of 2005/6 which carried them into Division 1 just before Division 2 was disbanded. Another FA Cup First Round appearance in 2007 has added further distinction with a narrow home defeat against Kidderminster Harriers being watched by 2,123 people, a record for the current ground at Wodson Park. Before that a tenth Herts Senior Cup Final in 2001 and another in 2008 have emphasised the club's long history and continuity. Ware is the first of only three possible candidates to appear in this final in three separate centuries, evidence that it is still one of the county's leading clubs. Welcome everyone to the Danefield Stadium where we take on a Ware side that still harbors chances of a promotion spot. We knocked them out of the Ryman league Cup 0-3 not so long ago and they will be determined to right that wrong. The weather forecast predicts light drizzle that will give passing a real greasy top. Having been shocked by recent defeats to fellow comic book side Milboro and a struggling Wroxham team, we will take nothing for granted.

So bring your brollies and lets hope for another three points. Danefield United FC have lost 1-2 to Wroxham FC to record their first defeat in the Isthmian League 1st Division North for five games. Despite The Hardmen's excellent run without defeat finally coming to an end, the team can be consoled by the fact that they remain firmly in the promotion hunt and consequently are still comfortably exceeding pre-season expectations. 25 YR OLD GUISEPPE SOLE WAS THOUGHT TO BECOME SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS THIS SEASON, BUT FAILURE BY DANEFIELD TO SIGN A TOP CLASS STRIKER HAS SEEN SOLE TAKE HIS OPPORTUNITIES AND BECOME JOINT STOP SCORER WITH 8 GOALS. THIS IS NOT A PROLIFIC AMOUNT BUT HOWEVER HE HAS PERFORMED TO SUCH A HIGH LEVEL THAT HE HAS BECOME KEY TO THE TEAM.GONE ARE THE DAYS OF SPENCER AND DUDFIELD WHO SCORED 30 PLUS GOALS EACH. THESE DAYS UNITED RELY MORE ON CONTRIBUTIONS SPREAD EVENLY. Technical

Question: For which team did Roy of the Rovers play?
Answer: Melchester Rovers