Roy of the Rovers Return to Glory?

Part 5

***

Roy Race shook the hand of every one of his players and backroom staff, as well
as the officials and Melboro players, before turning swiftly down the tunnel and
into the visiting dressing room. A derby defeat was always hard to take, but this
time Roy was angry, some of his players were not pulling their weight, some had
given up, seemingly consigned themselves to relegation already. That was not
on, Roy may have changed the traditional Rovers tactics, but his past Melchester
teams could never be accused of not giving their all, there were no excuses.
Roy tore into them, highlighting individuals, Cleary! You let NDiaye have far too
much space, youve got to work harder to track back after out attacks break
down. You must never jog, if I see you jog on that pitch again, youll never play
for this club again! Roy did not usually take this approach, but he had never
really needed to before, even his more difficult players, Superbrat Vic Guthrie or
Mozzie Mostin, no-one could ever question their commitment to the cause.
Jacobs, youre a winger, play like one! Run at your man, hit the line, cross the
ruddy ball! Roy went on, Dickson, I know I told you to be the target man, but
youve got to offer more. Try closing down the defenders. You let Johnny White
play the ball out too many times, twice is too often. Dont ever rely on Lyons or
any other team-mate to do your running for you! Roy stepped back and looked
slowly around the dressing room, It is a privilege to play for Melchester Rovers,
there are millions of others who dream of doing just that! If you are not willing to
work hard for this club, then I will find people who will!
In a calmer manner Roy concluded, Day off tomorrow, then in on Monday, well
be preparing for the F.A. Cup Quarter-Final against Ramsden. Theyve pulled off
some shocks already this season, but they wont be surprising us, like they did
Kelburn and Weston Villa. In a months time Melchester Rovers will be back at
Wembley in the Semi-Finals of the F.A. Cup! Roy left, to conduct his post match
interviews, a part of the job he certainly had not missed.
Assistant manager Geoff Giles, was livid, he had captained Melboro after leaving
Rovers in 1980/81, in the same season as the only relegation of Roy Races
career and lowest point. Giles understood the rivalry more than any other, even
Roy. I expect better than that! the fiery former England midfielder continued, I
have never seen a derby performance so devoid of energy and aggression. Not
one of you put in a tough tackle, you let Melboro bully you.
He continued, Now listen hard - Roys right about Ramsden, they have caused
some shocks, but were determined that wont happen again. But if you play like
that again, even against League One opposition, we will lose! Do you want to go
down and be a giant-killing victim all in one season? Or do you want to fight for
your lives and play at Wembley Stadium? Show me, show the boss, and in
training on Monday, I will see some fight, believe me!
Jake Cheetham, the youngest captain of Melchester Rovers since Roy Race, had
had a quiet game and was never particularly vocal in the dressing room, but he
felt like he should speak up now. Drew, shall I say something? he asked his
best friend and midfield partner, Dunno, boyo, its up to you. Cheetham
unlaced his boots and rolled off his socks, thinking. He thought about Roy Race
and how he had coped with so much pressure and expectation during his career.
He looked at Powell again for some support, I think Ill leave it today, he said
shaking his head slowly.
***

Training under Roy Race was never particularly complicated or groundbreaking,

for the players this was a refreshing change. Derek Mostin was known as one of
the leading coaches in innovative methods around, it was why Vernon Eliot had
originally hired him. Unfortunately for Melchester Rovers, Mostins style and
training sessions were not entirely suited to a team in the middle of a relegation
scrap.
Roy Race and his long-time coaching partner, Mervyn Wallace, kept things
simple. Their core belief was clear; preparation and replication; prepare for the
opponent and imitate their game. Therefore the chances of being surprised
during the match were greatly reduced. In the 70s and 80s Roy was ahead of his
time. His vast collection of video tapes provided everything he needed to analyse
the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Training would then focus on
dealing with the strengths and exploiting the weaknesses.
This morning Roy would introduce the Rovers to Ramsden Athletics typical game
plan. Ramsden were unusual, for a League One side they played a tidy passing
game, balanced neatly with two big battering ram centre-forwards. They could
keep the ball for long periods and dominate possession even against superior
sides, as was shown in the upsets at Kelburn and Weston Villa. This could lead to
frustration and excessive pressing, causing the midfield to lose shape. But it was
Ramsdens swift ability to switch from a deep possession based game to direct
aerial attacks that had shocked the Premier League sides earlier in the
competition.
Both strikers stood over six feet four, were heavy and strong, but surprisingly
quick for such big men. They lacked stamina and technique, but were certainly
more than a handful for even experienced international Premier League
defenders. Kelburn had the meanest defence of any Premier League side, but
Ramsden had scored four times in West London; a remarkable feat.
So Roy and Mervyn set about replicating this unique style. As the two tallest and
burliest members of the Rovers squad, Mike Burgess and Kelvin Dickson would
play the parts of Jack Balance and Johnny Mitson. Roy instructed Lyons,
Cheetham and Powell to press only in twos, if they could not press with a partner
they were to hold their positions and allow the opponent to pass sideways across
the pitch. This would be allowed until the midfield had regained shape, then
high-tempo pressing would begin. It was at this point that the ball would be
launched long towards either of the strikers. The exercise was repeated again
and again, with many different results. The aim was not to do it correctly, but
simply become accustomed to the style of attack that they would be facing that
weekend.
The second part of the Race/Wallace training style involved attacking play.
Ramsden played a simple, but narrow, 4-4-2, the full-backs rarely ventured
forward, the defensive pattern was closer to playing four centre-halves. Quick
and decisive wing-play would surely unlock the immobile Ramsden defence.
Against Melboro Piedra and Cleary had been exposed on the counter-attack, but
versus supposedly inferior opponents this would not happen. Roy insisted that
the full-backs overlap at every opportunity, get towards the goaline and cross
the ball behind the defensive line. Lyons and Dickson were both sharp in the box,
so this attacking method would create untold chances.
Again the first-team repeated the exercise, mixing early crosses with those from
overlapped positions. The key was the direction of the cross, too deep or on a

diagonal and the big defenders would smother Lyons and outnumber Dickson. All
four wide men repeated Roys instructions until the great man was satisfied,
That will do for today, well played and see you tomorrow!
***

Ramsden Athletic's fairytale run was brought to an end as Melchester

Rovers sealed an emotional Wembley return for Roy Race.
A Kelvin Dickson header and deflected Declan McKaffree shot in the opening nine minutes
set the Premier League side on the way to a comfortable quarter-final win. Ramsden's Fabio
Miranda was sent off for a high challenge on 63 minutes and Richie Lyons scored
Melchester's third shortly after with a neat low finish.
Rovers will face FA Cup holders Portdean at Wembley on 18 or 19 April.
Melchester took control straight from the first whistle, hardly giving Ramsden a kick in the
first five minutes. Dickson gave them an ideal start, rising to score with a near-post header
from Drew Powell's sixth-minute corner.
The impressive McKaffree Clearly enjoying the management of his father-in-law - doubled
the lead three minutes later with Bobby Lake's side still attempting to regroup. The winger
cut in from the right to beat keeper Will Benjamin from just inside the area with a shot that
took a big looping deflection off Alan Foyer.
A fine save from Benjamin prevented Melchester's Harry Jacobs from adding a long-range
third before half-time.

League One Ramsden, who made six changes to the side that drew with Farndon on
Tuesday, retained hope of a second-half comeback, after recovering from two goals down in
round four to beat Kelburn 4-2 in West London in one of the competition's greatest-ever
shocks. But the tired-looking Latics never appeared capable of a repeat of their heroics,
which had also seen them knock out Premier League Blackport Rovers and Championship
side Norboro during a memorable run.
Their task was made even harder when Miranda was harshly shown a straight red card for a
high challenge on Jake Cheetham - the Portuguese winger's foot connecting with the Rovers
captain's midriff as they contested a high ball.
Melchester, who retained the same starting eleven from the derby defeat by Melboro,
pressed home their numerical advantage, Cheetham releasing Lyons to fire past an exposed
Benjamin.
Home fans celebrated on the pitch after the final whistle, having had time to savour the
success in a one-sided contest. Ramsden were left with the consolation of 180,000 prize
money for reaching the last eight. They will bid to end the season on a high by winning
promotion to the Championship, with Melchester still needing wins in their battle against
relegation.
Melchester Rovers manager Roy Rovers told BIG Sport: "It's a long time since I've been
to Wembley, but before that we've got some important games in the league. We need to get
some points. It's another big day for a club that's not had enough in recent years. Everyone
connected with the club thought we'd be challenging at the top of the Premier League. That's
not happened for whatever reason and we'll hopefully avoid relegation and be more
competitive next season. The players are delighted but I don't know if there'll be too many
celebrations at this stage."
Ramsden manager Bobby Lake told BIG Sport: "We got off to a bad start and it was
difficult to come back from that. We gave them a huge lift and they deservedly went through.
Our players have to be immensely proud of what we've achieved this season. We have to
take this through to the last 11 games in the league to see what we can achieve. We just
couldn't get going after that start we made, and the sending off didn't help us. After that, it
was damage limitation."

Next The MLS season is underway and Rovers continue their

relegation battle
Storky Knight