1958/59 Season Review

The season had started badly for Roy Race and his pals. A motor accident had put trainer Taff Morgan and two regular first teamers out of action and the reorganised team had not settled down, causing Rovers to lose their first three games. The fourth match didn't go any better, as just before half time and two-nil down to Tawport United, new captain Hughie Griffiths went down injured. Roy would pull a goal back, but the Rovers would still be defeated. However, exciting news followed as Roy was invited to see the directors in the board room, where they made him temporary captain!

But, the board also decided to do something about the terrible form, appointing a new trainer Mr Twaite. Twaite was inexperienced in football, but knowledgable in fitness. He drastically altered the Rovers' normal training regime, preferring a PT approach; long runs, strengthening, running the terraces, etc. His methods would face their first test against league leaders Bamford Athletic.

The side to face Bamford was very different to that that had won the Championship the previous season. Out were Len Dolland, Andy McDonald, Hughie Griffiths, Pierre Dupont and Tom Dawson. In their places were Tubby Morton in goal, Paddy Ryan the Irish centre-half, Ted Barker promoted from reserves to cover at right half, Dick Stokes on the right wing and Baines the left.

Rovers started the match full of beans, Roy scoring with the first attack. Stokes got a second in the eighth minute, before Roy netted again a few minutes later. A three goal lead at half-time and Twaite was delighted. But, Blackie had already shown signs of flagging, and soon the others would follow. Bamford scored twice taking advantage of a half-paced Rovers. Then with moments left, Blackie, who was badly struggling slipped scoring a spectacular own goal.

Blackie Gray puts the ball in his own net!

Twaite was furious at the Rovers' lack of stamina, so increased the amount of running further. But Roy had already sensed his methods were wrong, leading a secret revolt, whereby the players tricked their trainer into believing they were on a marathon cross country when in fact they were practicing ball work in a field outside of town.

It was time for a showdown!

Roy had made his feelings clear, but Twaite would not budge, challenging Roy - if the Rovers could not defeat Storford United using Roy's training methods, then Roy would be sacked as captain. Of course, Roy was proved right, Twaite resigned and Roy was made permanent captain of Melchester Rovers!

The second half of the season began with the Rovers in much better form, unbeaten in six going into the Christmas Day match away in snowy Lemford. After a night in a haunted hotel, the Rovers were good enough to beat their opponents and the icy conditions and secure a two-one win, Roy scoring both goals.

The FA Cup matches began and with Rovers through to the Fifth Round after a win over holders Portdean, in an extraordinary match that saw Roy swap chunky goalie Morton with winger Stokes, when the Rovers were down to ten men. Buster Brown's injury meant the Rovers players had run and run, puffying out. Roy's genius move saw Morton move onto the right wing, he of course, had done no running. He would set up the late winner!

In Round 5 the opponents were Third Division giant-killers Carnbrook Town. The Town's tiny ground posed problems for the Rovers, literally cramping their style, but they would eventually come out on top, coming back from two goals down for a four-two win.

Carnbrook net their second goal

Brunton City were up next in the sixth round and easily swept aside by a Roy hat-trick. The semi-final, was played at Sandower Stadium against Brampton United. For some reason a new memeber of the Melcheester Rovers Supporters Club decided to try and prevent the Rovers reaching the ground, he tricked them onto a coach, that would break down leaving the players stranded on moorland miles from anywhere. Fortunately a kindly farmer would help out and they would get there in time, just!

But, the journey had unsettled the team, Dave Williams scoring an early own goal and then give away a penalty. Luckily Tubby Morton made a great save to keep the score at one-nil to United. Roy would regroup his men at half-time before scoring two cracking goals to send Rovers to Wembley!

The strange supporter, known as Ted Smith, was still plotting, somehow tricking Roy and Blackie into a speed boat ride, leaving the two hot-shots stranded on a war time spider-fort. They escaped, paddling an emergency raft to shore in rough seas. A kindly policeman, this time, helped out, driving the dynamic duo all the way to the gates of Wembley.

Roy nets the winner in the Cup Final

They arrived just in time to take the field, but Rovers were soon a goal down, after a clearly tired Roy lost possession. Langton would score again before half time, leaving the Rovers two down and the Cup seemingly out of reach. But a stirring second half performance led by resurgent Roy and Blackie saw Roy net after a neat Blackie backheel. Dick Stokes equalised soon after and with only a few minutes left, Griffiths lobbed a free kick behind the Langton defence, Roy burst in to volley home the winner!