1980/81 Season Review

The 1980/81 season for Melchester Rovers began as it meant to go on, with a disaster! Gerry Holloway, an ever present in the first XI for five years, seriously injured his ankle on a pre-season tour of Crete. He would never play for Rovers again. An injury crisis meant a very poor start to the season for Rovers, which included a humiliating defeat to Stambridge. Charlie Carter lost all confidence and was dropped. The double transfer of Giles and Dixon to rivals Melboro' caused a stir. Roy was struggling. He made enquiries for goalies Andy Watson (Danefield) and even considered Gordon Stewart, the 'Safest Hands in Soccer.' But for all the transfer talk, there was only one major signing, that of 35-year-old, Nat 'Grandad' Gosden, the 47 times capped England international.

Roy was hoping that Gosden's experience would guide his young side to safety, but it was not to be. Rovers went into the last game of the season needing to win by five clear goals to avoid relegation. Alas they could only win four-nil.

Melchester Rovers, the Champions, were relegated!

 
League: 20th (Relegated)
League Cup: 4th Round (Lost to Stambridge, 4-5)
F.A. Cup: 5th Round (Lost to Kelburn, 1-2)
European Cup: 4th Round (Lost to Zalmo, 3-3 away goals)

Squad:
G - Carter, Williams
D - Baxter, Guthrie, McKay, Naylor, Price, Gosden, Peters
M - Gray, Slade, Wallace, Lynch, Cassidy,Keelan,
F - Race, Eliot, Diaz

Line-up (4-3-3):

Players in:
Alan Lynch, Steve Naylor, Mark Price, Walter Williams (all youth), Nat Gosden (Oldfield, free)

Players out:
Gerry Holloway (Carford City, free), Geoff Giles & Roger Dixon (both Melboro', free & £90,000)

Notes:
- According to The Hardman story, Johnny Dexter's Danefield United pipped Everpool to the First Divison title. We also know that Rotherton and Castleton were relegated with Rovers.
- For the first time it is possible to confirm all 22 teams of the First Division using RotR-

- Jimmy Slade started in defence, but moved into midfield when Roy moved Gosden into the back four, later in the season. There were two unknown scorers for Rovers, one against Deans Park, the other against Castleton.