Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning Week 17 Jake Cheetham and Drew Powell sat side by side on an expensive

e leather sofa, gamepads in hands, with faces showing the same grimace of concentration found on a goalkeeper facing a penalty kick. You have to be North Vale, Drew. Im Melchester through and through. The two midfielders, two of the best young players in the country, always went through the same ritual every Thursday evening, they played a video game preview of Rovers weekend match. This Saturdays match had greater significance than usual for Drew Powell. Melchester Rovers were travelling to South Wales to face North Vale, the side where Drew began his career and the club he supported as a boy. Cant we transfer me over to Vale then? You never make me play well! Cheetham shook his head and their match began. In Wales on Saturday afternoon, Drew would be facing his first club for the first time. His entire family would be there, all in the home end cheering on North Vale. He would have been doing the same had he not become a professional footballer. Thinking about running out onto that pitch again broke Drews concentration, Thats one-nil to Rovers! A wonderful strike from Jake Cheetham! Drew paused the game, Wait a second, mate. This game has got me thinking about playing my team, I mean my old team. How do I try to beat the club that Ive always supported, that gave me my first football memories, my first football everything? Jake was not sure he could offer any advice, but tried anyway, I always supported Rovers even though I lived in Essex. All the lads at school supported Gatesfield or Eastgate. They called me a glory-hunter No sorry, mate, Ive nothing I can say about this. Maybe you should talk to Roy Race about what he felt when he played for Walford against Melchester. That must have been so hard. Im sure hell be able to help you. Drew dropped the controller to the floor and took out his mobile phone, What are you doing? asked Jake, Im ringing Roy Race. You said to ask his advice. Roy answered promptly, Race here hi Drew. Having a good evening? Jake looked at his best friend, he would never have had the nerve to just ring the great Roy Race, Drew was certainly confident. Remember when you said in pre-season that if we ever wanted any advice we should ring you, any time? Well, I want to ask you something about Roy interrupted, Is this about playing North Vale, your first love? If it is you better meet me in town, bring Jake along too. See you in an hour, you know the Greek restaurant on the Old High Street? So the young stars hurriedly got changed into more respectful clothing and called a minicab to head into town for dinner with Britains greatest ever footballer. The club had an agreement with a local taxi firm to avoid any unnecessary bad publicity if any of the players were out late or drunk, so the boys knew their driver, Evening Gus! Were going to that Greek restaurant on the Old High Street, is it any good? The driver shook his head, No idea, never been there. Roy Race, he like it though. He probably be there, he always there. The journey into town from the Melchester suburbs was simple enough, just ten minutes along the central motorway. As the car pulled up, See I tell you, Roy Race, look! The players laughed, We knew hed be here, Gus. Were meeting him, see hes waving. Jake gave the driver a tip and Roy opened the left passenger door, Nice to see you chums. Up for some great food? Hello there Gus, hows the wife? Roy did not wait for an answer, but led the way into the small, but chic Greek restaurant. As always the welcome was warm and genuinely friendly. Gus was right Roy did eat here a lot, maybe three or four times a week. He could not cook,

had never had to and now he was living alone, he saw little point in having a housekeeper. He had accrued a fortune as a player and only made more when he sold his stake in Melchester Rovers to the Basranians. Mister Race and Mister Cheetham and Mister Powell! Its great to see you all today, sit down, can I get you an aperitif, something to drink? The restaurant was family run, the grandfather sat at a table in the corner sipping coffee watching a game show on Greek television, the other members of the family all worked, either serving or in the kitchen. The homely atmosphere is what kept Roy coming back and the food was excellent, healthy too. Roy ordered three beers, Theres never been anything wrong with a couple of beers lads, remember that. Its what gave my team in the seventies and eighties a unique bond, we were friends as well as team-mates. So Drew, I guess youre a bit confused about facing your childhood club, hey? Drew nodded, Thats right. Jake mentioned that you once played against the Rovers, that must have been mega weird. In March 1983 Roy Race resigned as manager of Melchester Rovers to takeover at London side, Walford Rovers, It certainly was, but let me explain; Sam Barlow the chairman was constantly interfering in team matters, I hated that. When he publically challenged me after a match against Redstoke, Id had enough. Walford offered me a lot of money. To be honest I dont think Id have left if it wasnt for the record salary. It was a great opportunity too, to live in London, spend big money on transfers, it was a new challenge. Jake and Drew were listening intently to the great man, What happened then, why did it go wrong at Walford? asked the current captain, It didnt really go wrong. There was some dissent amongst the players, old Joe Bellamy didnt want to play the Rovers way. But I suppose he was right, it was silly of me to think I could change a footballing philosophy overnight. I was arrogant thinking my way was the only way to play. The team was good though, Bellamy was a great player, I should have used him better. Alan Shields too should have been a star at a top club. Walford were so unsettled after I left that they faded and never achieved what a club with their resources should have. But anyway, we, Walford, were going great at the start of the 83/84 season, Melchester werent. The media were misreporting a lot of things, trying to suggest that I was over my love for Melchester Rovers. It upset a lot of the lads, especially Mervyn Wallace and Vic Guthrie, they really went for me in a testimonial game. But the Rovers fans still wanted me to come back. Penny and the kids didnt ever move to London. The only thing keeping me from Rovers was Barlow. So what happened when you played Melchester in the league game? Drew was enjoying the story, but wanted his advice, Yes, Rob Richards had come into the side. He was being billed as my replacement, the Next Roy Race and he was playing well. Ill be honest again here, I really wanted to beat Melchester. Like you should really want to beat North Vale, Drew. I knew that my old pals would suffer, especially Blackie as manager and my son, I knew he cried after every defeat at that age. I found as soon as I set foot on that pitch, my professional pride doubled. I never forgot where I was, at my real home, Mel Park, but that pride made me want to win even more. That was a problem, I was trying too hard to impress. It was like I was on trial again as a teenager. I was shooting when I should have passed, taking too many touches, trying impossible long passes. Youll need to be wary of that, but thinking about your game too much is never a good thing. In matches like this you have to play professionally, less emotion, more skill. It will never be just another game, but the top players, which you are one of, can deal with that and still play well. Drew was nodding, taking it all in, How did the game end Roy? Roy shook his head and took a gulp of beer, I missed a penalty and chance after chance. My chairman was convinced that my heart wouldnt let me score against Melchester. Was he right? Of course not, I just had an off day. But he wouldnt accept my reasoning, he was a kind man. So when Sam Barlow resigned himself, I was released and returned to Mel Park. Jake was interested in this last part, What about Blackie, how did he feel at being replaced? Roy smirked, I think they would have sacked him after that defeat, Walford won two-one, sorry I forgot to say that. He was relieved to have me back, I think. You know we never really talked about that. So Drew, I know that was a long story, but just trust your professional instincts. Youre too good a player to worry about the past. Think of the future and another Rovers win! Roy lifted his glass, To Melchester Rovers, the greatest football club in the world! Cheers! Jake piped up, And to victory other those useless Taffs!

*** There was a real wintry feel in the air as Rocky Race stood leaning against the rail behind the goal at nonleague Bromsmede. Rocky was scouting at the Bromsmede versus Hunstead Town F.A. Cup First Round replay. Hed been in England for almost a month now and had been taking in a few non-league matches to earn a bit of extra cash. The MLS season was into the playoff stage and his contract as commentator only ran until the end of the regular season, so some additional income was welcome. He was staying in his fathers London flat, so was not spending anything on accommodation and the days he worked he could claim sustenance expenses. Officially Rocky was being paid by Championship side Brentfield, but he could sell his reports to any interested club or scout. Bromsmede had three or four promising youngsters and had played really well to get a two-all draw away at League One Hunstead. Rocky was particularly interested in the tall striker, Kelvin Dickson and the quick centreback, Thomas Carruthers. Dickson was playing well this evening, he was tall but nippy, capable of holding the ball up but also of running into the channels. At just nineteen he had great potential, surely he should have been snapped up by a professional club years ago, with his physical attributes he would have been hard to miss. Carruthers, too was still a teenager, he was short for a central defender, but very fast and he timed his tackles well. He seemed at ease on the ball and set the tone for his sides neat passing game. He often dropped deep to receive the ball from his goalkeeper and begin a patient passing move, which is so rare at the lower levels of English football. It was almost half-time with the score still nil-nil, but Bromsmede were dominating their professional opponents, simply by keeping the ball. Hunstead were content to let the non-league side have possession at the back and in deep midfield zones, probably thinking they would tire in the second half. It was a dangerous game to play, thought Rocky, as Carruthers stole possession from the Town striker. He moved neatly into midfield, skipping over a tame challenge. Dickson was on the move too, screaming loudly, telling the centreback where he wanted a pass. Carruthers obliged and fed a perfect pass inside the left-back. Dickson was onto it in a flash and smashed his shot across the exposed goalkeeper and into the net. Rocky cheered and applauded, these two were too good for Bromsmede, heck, theyre too good for Brentfield, he thought. Rocky took his phone out, Dad! Ive got two players here. You need to get them to Rovers, theres something special about these boys! As the half-time whistle blew, Rocky made his way to the tea shed. This was the place where all the scouts would be spotted, he could see four or five familiar faces, it was like a small collection of average early-nineties First Division players; Gordon Archer from Walford, Phil Garret from Burndean and Roger Someone from Tynecaster. They were stood in a huddle clutching their steaming polystyrene cups, talking quite disparagingly about the quality of football on display. Rocky winked at Roger, who snuck away from the clique, Hey there Roger, who do you like then? Rocky assumed that they would all be after Dickson at least, Not too impressed to be honest, probably wont stay long into second half, these non-league players fade badly, theyre just not very fit. Rocky thought Roger must be playing games, You dont like Dickson, really? Roger laughed, I can tell youve been away! Everyone knows about Dickson, the lads trouble. Hes been inside, thats the only reason hes not playing League football. Stabbed someone, nearly killed him, unprovoked too, just got out this summer. Stay clear of him, Rocky, you dont want the Race name associated with someone like Dickson. Roger was right, Rocky could not afford to risk the family name on a genuine troublemaker, especially with the bad press that John Lucas was bound to bring at some point in the near future. His father too would never sign anyone with a violent criminal record. But there was something about this young man, Rocky could see star quality. Perhaps a move away from his friends and a professional environment would help him. Roy Race had turned players careers around before, like Vic Guthrie, but Vics problems were nothing compared to Kelvin Dicksons. Still hed stay for the second half, he was impressed with the football Bromsmede played. If Carruthers and Dickson could keep it up, he saw no reason why they both should not be given a trial at Melchester Rovers.

Hunstead started the second period in determined fashion, playing aggressively, getting the ball forward quickly. They had made one substitution, bringing on Paul Lewis a big, strong striker, real lower league journeyman and changed formation to 4-4-2. It was obvious to Rocky that Hunstead planned on exploiting Carruthers lack of height, they were going to play direct football, lots of long balls, lots of crosses. This would be a massive test for the centre-back, one Rocky was really looking forward to watching. Hunstead were definitely playing with more urgency than in the first-half. No longer were Bromsmede being allowed to pass the ball around without any pressure. Carruthers was relishing the challenge. Lewis was charging towards him as he chased a long ball over the top towards his own goal line. The big forward was not quick, in fact hed be considered slow in strikers terms, but his large frame loomed down upon the five-foot ten-inch frame of Carruthers as the pair neared the corner flag, the ball still bouncing. The defender leant back into the onrushing Lewis, showing surprising upper body strength. He brought the ball under control and while holding off the striker, swivelled, rolling the ball to the right and running round the left. It was superb defending, something Rocky could not recall seeing before. Carruthers moved forward up the right flank, his head held high, scanning the scene before him. He launched a long diagonal pass into the inside left channel, Dickson was after it. A simple idea done so well, thought Rocky. Dickson, controlled while leaping into the air, bring the ball down with his left foot. Then, Ouch! exclaimed Rocky, Thatll hurt! talking to no-one in particular. The Hunstead right-back had flayed Dickson, a high and reckless tackle, taking the forward down at the knees. A melee ensued with all twenty-two players and the Bromsmede physio bundling into one another. Dickson was not down any more, he was lunging wildly, arms and legs everywhere, scratching and kicking and throwing aimless haymakers. Roger was right, hes a nutter! mumbled Rocky. It took a good three or four minutes before the referee had regained some control over the situation. He produced two red cards, one to the right-back, the other to a still incensed Dickson. Dickson was screaming, showing his cut leg to the referee. Carruthers showing remarkable maturity took his team-mate away, dragging him from the pitch and showing the snarling striker down the tunnel. Rocky was impressed, this Thomas Carruthers was a natural leader and a fantastic defender, he only wondered what skeletons lay hidden in his closet. How could someone this good be playing at this level? Storky Knight Next Week Roy Race gives Carruthers and Dickson a trial and can Rovers make it seven win in a row?