Roy Race’s England career is somewhat of a mystery, I am led to believe that he won 43 caps scoring 52 goals, but cannot find a reliable source for this (if anybody does have one please comment below). What I will attempt to do in this feature is document what we do know about Roy and England and attempt to fill in any gaps using football logic and references from Roy's story to eventually reach 43 appearcens and an impressive 52 goals!.
1963 England Debut – 1 cap (2 goals)
After another impressive season, Roy finally came to the attention of the England selectors. A superb display against a strong Eastoke United side, convinced the suits at Wembley to give Roy a debut. South Americans Caragua were the opponents, but Roy’s mind was not entirely fixed on the international match, a feeling that would appear again and one that probably significantly reduced the number of caps the great man would win.
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| Roy struggles on debut vs Caragua |
Roy was now Melchester Rovers captain and could not help but be worried about the form of pal Tom Dawson, the Rovers outside left. Dawson had been dropped earlier in the season for moody big money signing Joe Sloper. But Roy did not take a shine to Sloper and forced him out. By April, Tom was back on the wing and determined to prove the Rovers directors wrong and avoid being transferred. More concerned with this than his current England debut, Roy played a poor first half. But, on finding out that Dawson was playing well back in Melchester, scoring twice, Roy turned in a fantastic second half performance, scoring twice and setting up another in a 3-1 win. The Wembley crowd remarked that England had surely found a new centre forward for years to come! This turned out to be quite incorrect!
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| Roy nets his first England goal |
1963 to 1966 – 6 caps (10 goals)
At the end of the 1962/63 season, Melchester Rovers had won the League title and the England team embarked on a three match summer trip to Brazil. Roy, however, was not involved as he led the Rovers on a long tour of Greece. It appears that Roy did not regain his position at centre forward for some time.
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| Roy scores vs Austria |
Jumping forward to the summer of 1966, England are preparing for their home World Cup and Roy is a major part of Alf Ramsey’s plans. Therefore, it is safe to assume that Roy had been appearing regularly for England during the 1965/66.
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| Roy nets a late winner against the Germans |
However, on the final day of a slog of a season, in a meaningless friendly against Mill Town, Roy was injured. Not seriously, but injured enough for the medical team to advise he withdraw from the World Cup squad. Roy brushed it off, of course not knowing that his team-mates would go on to win the tournament and assuming he would have plenty more chances of World Cup glory.
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| Roy finds out he won't be going to the World Cup |
1968 European Nations Cup – 2 caps (1 goal)
Tommy Tate took Roy’s place at centre forward and would remain first choice until the European Nations Cup campaign of 1968. Roy was back in the team alongside Rovers team mates Tubby Morton, in goal and Jumbo Trudgeon in the number ten jersey. The semi-final in Italy went to extra time, with the scores locked at two goals each. As both teams tired, England found themselves under pressure and facing a corner. Roy whispers to Tubby asking if he can recall an old Melchester counter attack. The jolly fat man of course could and confidently claimed the corner before launching the ball forward for Roy to race away and net the winner.
The squad flew straight to Paris for the final against Portugal. In a drab encounter it was left for Roy to set up the winner with a neat back heel to Jumbo who smashed home with seconds left. So Roy had earned his first piece of international silverware, the European Nations Cup!
1968 to 1970 – 8 caps (11 goals)
Alf Ramsey’s side were dominant in the two seasons leading up to the World Cup and Roy and some of his Melchester chums must have played a part. With Tubby in goal, Geoff Giles debuting in defence and Jumbo and Roy in attacking positions, England, had a spine made up of the League, European and World champion Rovers.
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| Roy nets away to Wales in 1970 |
Ramsey was famous for his clear thinking and always consistent squad selection necessary to fit his tactical system. Thus, Roy must have been his favoured centre-forward as he built a side to defend the World Cup earned in ’66.
The greatest England manager knew that to cope with effects of extreme heat and altitude in Mexico, his team must adapt and play at a slow pace. Chances would be at a premium, so it was more important than ever to have a solid defence. Through the 1968/69 and 1969/70 seasons England would take on a far more defensive approach, concentrating on keeping clean sheets above scoring goals. In these two seasons England would concede just two goals, with Roy providing the attacking thrust required of the defensive system.
Roy and the other Rovers would however, miss out on the England tour to Latin America in the summer of '69 as Melchester Rovers had been invited to a lucrative tournament in Mexico, which would offer handy experience for the World Cup that was less than a year away.
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| Roy heads home in a World Cup warm up |
1970 Mexico World Cup – 6 caps (4 goals)
Two warm up victories in South America confirmed the team in great form. Although their group in Mexico contained much fancied Brazil, Ramsey’s England went into the World Cup Finals as favourites to retain their title.
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| England's Rovers train in Mexico |
Roy, himself, was in great shape having led Rovers to the FA Cup, but with Rovers on tour in the nearby Central American country of Saladoria, as usual he was distracted from what should have been his time to shine on the world stage.
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| Roy takes on the Brazilians |
England like many others would struggle with the heat, with many a match played out at a snail’s pace and goals hard to come by. Although picked in all three Group matches Roy did not find the net. Despite his poor form he found the time to pursue a wild gooe chase believing he spotted Rovers goalkeeper Reg Scott while on a trip to an Aztec city. Roy, without telling Ramsey, flew to Saladoria to check on the Melchester men, after wrongly assuming they had been in strife. The strict disciplinarian Ramsey would not have been impressed as this disruption.
England would qualify for the knock out stage thanks to an uninspiring win over Czechoslovakia, but West Germany would gain revenge for '66 and eliminate the holders, leaving Roy, Tubby and Geoff to fly off to Saladoria to complete the Rovers tour.
1970 – 1973 - no caps
After the disappointment of Mexico, Alf Ramsey would reset his squad, trying a variety of players at centre-forward, including Blackport's Len Duggan and Everpool's Dave Benson, but not Roy Race. Roy would not gain international recognition again until the summer of 1972, when he was selected alongside Blackie Gray and Lofty Peak for a Football League XI tour of Europe. Dan Rumsden managed the League side, which was seen as an extended trial for introduction or reintroduction to the full England side. Had Roy done enough on tour to impress Ramsey again? It appeared not.
1973 to 1974 Captain – 7 caps (10 goals)
Gil Martin had been appointed as Ramsey’s successor and Roy was given another chance, this time alongside best pal Blackie Gray. Martin selected a strong squad for a special friendly match in Rome against Italy at the end of the 1972/73 season. New to the job, Martin resisted media pressure to name Roy captain instead choosing the amiable Bob Tyson. Roy was disappointed, but with Blackie alongside him, he was confident of cementing his place as England’s number 9. In a fantastic match, Roy would net once, before Blackie having overcome a debilitating tooth infection scored the winner.
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| Roy and Blackie together in Rome |
Roy would finally be named England captain in the 1973/74 season, a well deserved, but still controversial appointment. Roy had a habit of getting himself into distressing and dangerous situations that caused great distraction to the team. Again in the autumn of 1973, Roy would miss a friendly match against Italy at Wembley after being accidently shot by Jumbo Trudgeon’s great uncle!
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| Roy as captain vs Parania |
But by the that summer, Roy was now a popular leader of England as he brought some of his Melchester Magic to a flailing national side. However, his final game as captain would come against top South American side Parania in the spring of 1974. Again, Roy’s unique misfortune was to strike as the Paranian captain turned out to be a vicious member of a remote tribe that Roy had come across on a past tour to the continent. Roy had rescued a boy from being sacrificed to a pagan god, enraging the indigenous rainforest dwelling Paranians and was cursed. Believing himself to be again under the curse, Roy played terribly in the first half and England were two down at the break. However, the young boy who Roy had rescued somehow appeared pitchside at Wembley gifting Roy a magic orchid to repel the curse. It worked as Roy scored a superb second half hat-trick to win the game!
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| Roy's 2nd and 3rd goals vs Parania |
1974 to 1978 the Meevy Years – 3 caps (4 goals)
For the start of the 1974/75 season England appointed a new manager in Michael Caine look-a-like Ron Meevy. Meevy was a slightly strange man, with a rather obvious dislike of Roy Race. The new manager also preferred to field two target men in his long ball system. As England struggled, Roy made no secret of his contempt for Meevy’s tactics, often publically criticising the entire England set up. Therefore it came as no surprise that Meevy often overlooked as the player even one as good as Roy.
However, as Meevy failed to settle on forwards suited to his system he finally turned to Race. At the end of the 1974/75 season, Roy was finally recalled for the squad for the match against France. Roy's Rovers team-mates were so shocked by the news they chaired Roy from the training pitch hoping that their leader could secure an England spot. But, as usual something would happen to distract Roy from the job in hand. This time his old pal Jules Bernard, the France forward, had his nephew kidnapped. Roy being a great friend was determined to find out what happened causing him to miss training and turn up just before kick-off. This was not the way to impress the new manager.
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| Meevy challenges Roy during the France match |
On the field, Roy was poor, his mind drifting to the missing boy. Meevy gave Roy an old fashioned dressing down at half time, threatening to pull him off if he didn't buck his ideas up. And, after being handed a note from Bernard, Roy would turn it on in the second half scoring two great goals to give England the win.
Despite Roy’s inability to focus on England, Meevy gave him another chance, calling him up early in the 1975/76 season for a friendly against the magicians of Brazil. Now into his first full season as player-manager of the Rovers, Roy discovered that the match would clash with the vital derby against Melboro’. But, girlfriend Penny convinced Roy that he must play and establish himself as the England number nine, even if it meant Rovers were without him for the trip to their in-form rivals. However, when Brazil pulled out of the match and lowly Mulvania were announced as replacements, Roy had second thoughts. Unwisely he made it known publically that he was reconsidering accepting the call up.
Roy, reluctantly joined up with the England squad for training, but was less then enamoured with Meevy’s training methods and tactics. In his first training session, Roy was kicked to bits by defenders to toughen him up in preparation for the burly Mulvanians. He was then asked to chase knock-downs from Meevy’s double target men.
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| Roy's amazing goal vs Mulvania |
When the evening of the match arrived, Roy even took a phone call from Penny, who informed him that she would hold up a sign telling him the score from the Derby. It seemed, now more than ever, that Roy could never allow himself to focus fully on playing for his country. And as Penny inadvertently held her sign up upside down, showing Roy that the Rovers were a goal down, his performance dropped. Only when he noticed an upside down 0-2 did he work out that Rovers were actually winning and start to play well. But, it took a spectacular overhead kick in the final minute to rescue a 1-1 draw against what was a poor Mulvania side.
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| Roy's spectacular goal vs Brazil |
Meevy, would give Roy one final try, in the rearranged match against Brazil. Race would score on the best goals ever seen at Wembley, but the England boss could no longer put up with Roy’s public slandering of his tactics and team selection. Ron Meevy would never pick Roy for England again!
1978 Roy’s England – 1 cap
With Roy still Ron Meevy’s bad books, Vernon Eliot was the only Rover on the international radar. The West Indian born flying winger was in such fine form that a call up seemed certain. But, as the date neared for Meevy to name his squad for the prestige friendly at Wembley versus the mighty Netherlands, Vernon’s confidence dipped. Roy saw him through and a spectacular performance against Kingsbay overshadowing his direct rival for the spot in the squad, Duncan Blair, saw Vernon receive a first summons.
But with the fixture nearing, disaster would strike for Meevy as he was involved in a serious car crash just outside Melchester. The England manager was admitted to hospital and would require a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Managerless, the FA were desperate and the press called for one man, Roy Race!
After years of public criticism, the FA were reluctant to turn to Race, but there was no suitable alternative. England needed a manager for one match, who would not expect to be appointed on a full time basis, Roy was the only man to fit the bill. But, would he accept? Roy himself was worried about gaining the trust of the board, so went in all guns blazing with a list of demands. He wanted to ditch the side Meevy had chosen, instead selecting his own men. When Roy presented his chosen squad to the suits, they were horrified, only Vernon Eliot from the original selection remained. Roy had chosen what appeared to be a mismatch of popular players, bulked out with his pals from Melchester Rovers.
In goal was Charlie Carter. At right back Noel Baxter, Lofty Peak at centre back and Jimmy Slade at left back. The Hard Man Johnny Dexter was the stopper, with Mike Bateson in a more attacking central midfield role. Vernon Eliot was to play on the right flank, with Nipper Lawrence out of position on the left. Trevor Francis and Malcolm MacDonald were to play off the target man Kevin Taylor.
The board members were appalled at the attacking bias in Roy’s eleven, fearing being overrun in midfield. But Roy was insistent, they either accepted his side or they could find someone else. Grudgingly the board accepted Roy’s plans and hoped for the best, that they would not suffer another thrashing at the hands of the Dutch and their Total Football.
One the eve of the big game, there was another surprise. As Roy prepared his team, he would beam video clips of the previous meeting with Holland for the squad to observe. Roy picked apart Meevy’s tactics, noting that the long diagonal balls forward were useless and all too easy for the Dutch defenders to clear. Roy insisted that his team would cross, but from further upfield and they would make use of Kevin Taylor as the target man. But when practicing their new routines, Taylor, the big Danefield striker, took a heavy knock. He was out, the players begged Roy to pick himself in his place and he did.
The match proved Roy a tactical genius as his exiled England stars Francis and MacDonald scored three and two goals respectively to lead a 5-1 rout of the Johan Seegrun led Dutch superstars.
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| Francis completes his hat-trick |
Roy was credited with bringing the joy back to English football, the media, fans and board were united in their desire for Roy to become the full time manager of the England national football team. But would he accept? After a tough European Cup tie against French champions Vrayonne and after noticing a huge petition signed by it seemed every boy in Melchester pleading for him to stay, Roy declared that he could never give his heart to anyone but the Rovers and publically rejected the offer!
1978 to 1985 Exiled – no caps
After so enthusiastically turning down the chance to manage England full time, Roy was not likely to be popular with the returning Meevy and the members of the FA board. And so it proved, the worst England side in history decided to do without probably the greatest ever English player. Roy would continue to condemn the tactics and entire set up of the national team and thus his exile was extended. Under a new manager England did manage to qualify for the 1982 World Cup, but Roy would not be available as he was still recovering from being shot by actor Elton Blake. No Rovers would travel to Spain, they had romped to the Second Division title, but only First Division players including former Rover Geoff Giles, now of Melboro’, would travel to Spain.
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| Steve Marks scores in Bulgaria |
Plenty of centre forwards were given a chance in this period, veteran Roger Gibson, Redstoke's Kenny Johnson and Steve Marks of Kingsbay, even Barry Carter of 2nd Division Tynefield City, while Trevor Francis would gain 52 caps in all. But it was Danefield's Kevin Taylor who was generally first pick. Taylor suited the direct style, but his partnership with Francis never truly blossomed.
1985 to 1986 the Robson years – 8 caps (13 goals)
With Bobby Robson now in charge, Roy had another new man to impress. The likeable manager had shown an interest in Rovers midfielder Jimmy Slade, but was put off by the youngster’s erratic behaviour. But in scouting Slade, Robson was reminded just how good Roy Race was. A regular visitor to Mel Park in the first half of the 1984/85 season, Robson was due to select a squad for the match against France. Fans and press alike were sure Roy would be included, but were staggered when he was left out. Charlie Carter, the Rovers goalie was in as was new midfielder Carl Hunt and winger Neville Jones. Roger Harper who had impressed for Second Division Railton marking Roy in a League Cup game was in, along with Stan Draper, the striker from Kingsbay who was preferred to Roy.
But, for once in his international career, Roy would benefit from some luck, as in a League Cup match against Kingsbay an innocuous collision with Draper would see his rival stretchered off. Robson, gave in and called Roy up as his replacement. But, that was where Roy’s lucky streak would end. France were managed by Spaniard Carlos Villar, a tough nut of a player who had deliberately injured Roy in a European Cup tie in the mid-70s. Roy was sure Villar would instruct a similarlytough French defender to kick him off the park. However, Roy was already crocked, suffering with a sprain to his ankle. The Rovers board demanded he withdraw, but with the World Cup on the horizon Roy was determined to stake his claim.
Carrying the knock, but hiding the true severity of the injury, Roy took the field alongside Rovers team mates Jones and Hunt, Carter having withdrawn with an arm injury. Bulky French defender Jean Grimond was tasked with man-marking Roy and the centre-back constantly niggled Roy without ever crossing the line into blatant foul play. At half time with the score nil-nil, Robson demanded Roy take more punishment in order to draw the French defence out of shape.
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| Roy fires home vs France |
The plan would work as Neville Jones snapped up a loose ball and forced the French goalkeeper to push his shot away. Roy pounced smashing a half volley into the net as Grimond closed. After a hefty bump Roy left the field on a stretcher.
Pierre Lorain, France’s flair player and top scorer, would net a late equaliser. Roy’s injured ankle would see him miss a number of Rovers matches and also infuriate the board, who became far stricter with agreeing to his release for international matches.
As a result, Roy would sit out the rest of the 1984/85 season’s England fixtures. But, Robson was not put off, recalling Roy as the team qualified and prepared for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
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| Roy and Blackie dispute an offside call vs Scotland |
In the 1985/86 season England went on a great run, first securing their place in Mexico before destroying rivals in the build up to the greatest show on Earth. Roy and Blackie were now teaming up regularly for England and the annual match against Scotland in April '86 gave the pair another chance to fine tune tactics before leaving for the World Cup. Scotland fielded a familiar foe for Roy, in Jock McNab, the newly signed Eastgate centre-back. McNab had got the better of Roy in a League match and was keeping him quiet at Wembley too. McNab deviously convinced the lineman that a legitimate Roy goal was offside, which infuriated Blackie. The Scots would take the lead soon after. But, Roy's experience would tell as he forced McNab to deflect the ball home in the last minute for an England equaliser. Roy had rescued England and the team were to head to Mexico in great form with a settled XI and spine of Rovers, in Hunt, Jones, Race and Gray.
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| Roy in training camp before the 86 World Cup |
However, as the Football League season ended, Melchester Rovers were committed to playing an exhibition match in Basran as a favour to the new young King. We all know what happened next as tragedy struck and ten Rovers players would perish after a car bomb struck their bus. Hunt and Jones, both certainties for the squad were among the dead. Roy and Blackie were hurt and shaken, there was no way they could travel. Roy had missed another World Cup in the most cruel circumstances.
1987 the final cap – 1 cap (2 goals)
After rebuilding his Melchester side, Roy was again picked for England in May 1987. Facing Turkey at Wembley, Roy was desperate to impress and prove he had an international future, perhaps knowing that the 1990 World Cup in Italy would be his final chance to get that elusive World Cup goal. In another physical encounter Roy would score twice and help England to a win, but suffer a potentially career ending knee injury in netting his second.
Months of rehabilitation followed and while Roy would find form again for Melchester Rovers, he would never gain another cap or fulfil his dream of World Cup glory. But, the end of Roy's final cap would sum up his England career, as he left the hallowed Wembley turf on a stretcher.
Summary:
| Cap | Date | Opponent | Goals | |||
| 1* | 30th Mar 63 | Caragua | Friendly | (h) | W 3-1 | 2 |
| 2 | 2nd Oct 65 | Wales | HIC | (a) | D 0-0 | 0 |
| 3 | 20th Oct 65 | Austria | Friendly | (h) | L 2-3 | 2 |
| 4 | 10th Nov 65 | Northern Ireland | HIC | (h) | W 2-1 | 2 |
| 5 | 8th Dec 65 | Spain | Friendly | (a) | W 2-0 | 2 |
| 6 | 23rd Feb 66 | West Germany | Friendly | (h) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 7 | 2nd Apr 66 | Scotland | HIC | (a) | W 4-3 | 3 |
| 8* | 5th Jun 68 | Italy | ENC SF | (a) | W 3-2 | 1 |
| 9* | 8th Jun 68 | Portugal | ENC F | (n) | W 1-0 | 0 |
| 10 | 6th Nov 68 | Romania | Friendly | (a) | D 0-0 | 0 |
| 11 | 11th Dec 68 | Bulgaria | Friendly | (h) | D 1-1 | 1 |
| 12 | 15th Jan 69 | Romania | Friendly | (h) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 13 | 5th Nov 69 | Netherlands | Friendly | (a) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 14 | 10th Dec 69 | Portugal | Friendly | (h) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 15 | 14th Jan 70 | Netherlands | Friendly | (h) | D 0-0 | 0 |
| 16 | 18th Apr 70 | Wales | HIC | (a) | D 1-1 | 1 |
| 17 | 21st Apr 70 | Northern Ireland | HIC | (h) | W 3-1 | 2 |
| 18 | 20th May 70 | South Americans I | Friendly | (a) | W 4-0 | 2 |
| 19 | 24th May 70 | South Americans II | Friendly | (a) | W 2-0 | 2 |
| 20* | 2nd Jun 70 | Rumania | WC GC | (n) | W 1-0 | 0 |
| 21* | 7th Jun 70 | Brazil | WC GC | (n) | L 1-0 | 0 |
| 22 | 11th Jun 70 | Czechoslovakia | WC GC | (n) | W 1-0 | 0 |
| 23 | 14th Jun 70 | West Germany | WC R2 | (n) | L 2-3 | 0 |
| 24* | 14th Jun 73 | Italy | Friendly | (a) | W 2-1 | 1 |
| 25 | 26th Sep 73 | Austria | Friendly | (h) | W 7-0 | 3 |
| 26 | 3rd Apr 74 | Portugal | Friendly | (a) | D 0-0 | 0 |
| 27 | 11th May 74 | Wales | HIC | (a) | W 2-0 | 2 |
| 28 | 15th May 74 | Northern Ireland | HIC | (h) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 29 | 18th May 74 | Scotland | HIC | (a) | L 0-2 | 0 |
| 30* | 22nd May 74 | Parania | Friendly | (h) | W 3-2 | 3 |
| 31* | 26th Jul 75 | France | ENC | (h) | W 2-0 | 2 |
| 32* | 13th Dec 75 | Mulvania | Friendly | (h) | D 1-1 | 1 |
| 33* | 23rd May 76 | Brazil | Friendly | (h) | ? | 1 |
| 34* | 21st Jan 78 | Netherlands | Friendly | (h) | W 5-1 | 0 |
| 35* | 16th Feb 85 | France | Friendly | (h) | D 1-1 | 1 |
| 36 | 11th Sep 85 | Romania | WC Q | (h) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 37 | 16th Oct 85 | Turkey | WC Q | (h) | W 5-0 | 3 |
| 38 | 13th Nov 85 | Northern Ireland | WC Q | (h) | D 0-0 | 0 |
| 39 | 29th Jan 86 | Egypt | Friendly | (a) | W 4-0 | 3 |
| 40* | 26th Feb 86 | France | Friendly | (h) | W 2-0 | 2 |
| 41 | 26th Mar 86 | USSR | Friendly | (a) | W 1-0 | 1 |
| 42* | 23rd Apr 86 | Scotland | RC | (h) | D 1-1 | 1 |
| 43* | 16th May 87 | Turkey | EC Q | (h) | W 2-1 | 2 |
*mentioned explictly in Roy's story
Notes:
- I've used the real timeline of England matches to fill Roy's gaps. Only 15 matches were offically included in the ROTR timeline.
- Assigning goals was challenging, originally I assigned the star centre forward from the real team's, but these didn't add up to anywhere near 52. So I added one goal to each match until I reached 52. It worked out nicely that way.
- I've created some images to enhance the feature
Interesting facts:
- a number of England internationals from the real world appeared in ROTR: Gordon Banks, Malcolm MacDonald, Trevor Francis, Emlyn Hughes, as well as Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson, but as managers not players. A Kevin Keegan look-a-like appears a couple of times too.
- Three players from the ROTR universe are known to have many England caps, Nat Gosden (47), Alan Long of Tynefield City (over 70) and of course Blackie Gray (54). The Hard Man Johnny Dexter earned 14 England caps between the mid-70s and 1987, earning his final cap against Scotland, only two of Dexter's caps are not accounted for across his story. Danefield's Kevin Taylor was also an England regular between 76 and 85. Geoff Giles became a key member of the England side after joining Melboro.
- Blackie Gray only appeared alongside Roy in two of his documented caps. Italy in 1973 and Scotland in 1986. Trying to work out when Blackie earnt his other 50 caps would be a fun challenge!
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