Opponents No.7 - Walford Rovers

Walford Rovers are best remembered by Melchester Rovers fans for the short time in the early '80s when the great Roy Race was tempted to London as player-manager. However Walford, of course, did exist before and long after Roy's short spell.

Walford were promoted to the First Division in 1973/74 after spending big on the signing of Len Farmer from Thornton Villa. The big sweeper was a revelation leading his new side the the glory of the top flight.

The West London side had never been one of English football's top sides, but it would not be long before Walford had a hint of glory. Rovers reached the F.A. Cup Final in 1977/78 where Burndean inspired by their Argentinian international signings defeated the blue and whites. Walford goalie Jon Clark was named man-of-the-match despite being on the losing side.

The late-70s side also featured star defenders Mike Johnson, who had a great battle with Roy in 1979/80 and Peter Thompson, the sweeper who was once a target of Roy Race's Melchester Rovers. But these players would move on along with the dazzling Micky Simms, before the biggest upheaval in Walford recent history. Multimillionaire businessman Harvey Rawson bought the club, with the aim of turning Walford into the best side in England. He sacked two managers who failed to deliver, before identifying the man who he knew would - Roy Race.

Race was unhappy with interference from the boardroom, particularly Sam Barlow's criticism of his team selections and by the end of the 1982/83 season, Roy considered his position untenable and resigned. Rawson had already tapped up the great man and Roy moved to London for the last two games of the season. Club captain Joe Bellamy, Walford's star player and leader, was not impressed with Roy's attempts to turn Walford into the Melchester of the South. Walford won Roy's first match in charge 5-1 against Deans Park, but Carford City would show Roy just what a massive task he had to turn Walford into title challengers, winning easily 2-0 on the final day of the season.

Pre-season did not go well, Rawson could sense Roy's mind was elsewhere. Not all of the players were behind the new player-manager and Bellamy made it clear that Walford were bigger than Roy Race and Race had no right to come in with his Melchester ideology. But Roy's preparations were working and Walford started the 1983/84 on fire!

Roy's old foes Alan Jackson and his Melboro' team were destroyed 7-1, young star Alan Shields bagging a brace to go with Race's four and a neat header from David Wright. Then it was the big one - Melchester Rovers - Roy had a nightmare seemingly unable to score against his true love. But Bellamy and Gorman would net to seal a 2-1 win sending Walford to the top of the First Division.

But just when Walford had the title in sight, Sam Barlow quit the Melchester Rovers board, leaving Roy free to return. Harvey Rawson would not stand in his way and Walford's league form would tail off. But there was still silverware in sight, as Joe Bellamy inspired his side to F.A. Cup wins over Eastoke and Melboro', when his hat-trick sent Walford to an Final showdown with Melchester Rovers. Bellamy gave Walford an early lead, capitalising on Walter Williams failure to clear his diving header. But goals from Roy Race and Neville Jones broke Walford hearts and the wait for a trophy would go on and on and on!

The side that Harvey built had not secured a trophy, but Rawson had not given up and a new Walford side was built around midfield hard man Joe Makin and Scandinavian import Ericksen. Derek Townson was the new skipper, a Beethoven lookalike with a rocket shot. New manager Jack Cassidy was making a name for himself and forming a strong side. But he would be poached by Melboro' during the 1988/89 season and Walford were back to square one.

Rawson continued to invest, striker Kenny Davenport and Irish international Sean Doyle two big money signings. But Walford's failure to settle on a first-choice goalkeeper seemed to sum up the lack of consistency that would continually hinder their progress. Ray Dempsey, Mike Holden, Les Bennet, Ian Roberts were all given spells between the sticks between 1986 and 1991, none establishing himself as number 1.

Despite the continued backing of Harvey Rawson, Walford Rovers could find no title challenge. Star players were few and far between. Eventually Rawson's dream would end, he sacked another manager in 1999/2000. This time Roy Race's protege, Rob Richards, got the bullet after a 5-0 thrashing at Mel Park. The change had little impact as Walford were relegated.

Notes:
- The 1978 F.A. Cup Final was documented in Tommy's Troubles in 1981