1991/92 Season Review

Melchester Rovers start the 1991/92 season in a brand new, ultra-modern kit. The sparkling red and yellow striped jerseys emblazoned with the SEGA logo represented the new look Rovers. Roy Race was now at home in the centre of midfield in a side featuring so many home grown stars.

The season would not begin well though, Andy Styles (again!) would suffer from a bout of nerves and superstitions, this time seemingly unable to play in the new look goalkeeping jersey. For years Roy had overlooked Styles' eccentricities as his goalkeeping won many matches for Rovers. However this time 'Streaky' would be replaced before the season ended, in a year where Rovers had four different goalies.

The exciting young players from the 1990/91 who contributed so much to Rovers qualifying for the UEFA Cup would not play any important role. One can assume that Roy was not overly impressed with their continued development. Alex Ritchie in particular went from first team regular to a liability almost overnight.

1991/92 will be remembered as the season where Roy really tried to take Rovers to that next level. Three big signings were made; firstly the formidable Karl Bruckner, who knocked Rovers out of the UEFA Cup joined to add steel and class to the defence. Then possibly the most exciting signing since Johnny Dexter - Rapper Hardisty - was signed to replace Andy Styles. And before the season ended, Matthew Croker would join to deputise for the seriously injured Gary Gunn. All three would play a major part as Rovers' form surged taking them to the top of the league and an F.A. Cup Semi-Final.

Burndean would sneak a lucky win in the Semi but Rovers would not be denied silverware as back-to-back wins against Oldfield and Kingsbay win a twelfth league title, at the same time that Roy would break Chippy Croker's goalscoring record.

1991/92 Melchester Rovers matches, line-ups, scorers, stats, opponents

League: Champions
League Cup: Second Round
F.A. Cup: Semi-Final
UEFA Cup: 3rd Round

Squad:
G - Styles, Carter, Watson, Hardisty
D - Wootten, Chapman, A.Ritchie, Dexter, Bruckner, B.Gray
M - Spring, Race, Clark, M.Gray, Wallace
F - Maclaren, Harper, Gunn, Bamber, Croker, Ritchie

Line-up (4-3-3):

1991/92 Melchester Rovers, formation, line-up, players

Players In:
Karl Bruckner (Bresden), Rapper Hardisty (Railton), Matt Croker (Deans Park)

Players Out:
Pak Soon (Unknown)

Notes:
- The number 4 shirt this season has magical powers, in some matches three different players wear it, Cracker Gray even wears it when a sub, and Alex Ritchie can morph into Cracker when wearing it.