Roy of the Rovers Total Football

Part 7

Forward Marco De Loon scored Melchester Rovers first competitive goal of the
season as they eased past Blackton Wanderers into the third round of the League
Cup.
The 22-year-old slid a shot past Luke Gay after a neat turn inside the box to put the Premier
League side ahead. Blackton's best chance fell to Jack Curtsey, whose effort was blocked by
the sliding Ryan Small, and after that the visitors rarely threatened.
Rovers boss Johan Seegrun made 10 changes to the team that lost 3-0 at Kingsbay on
Saturday evening, giving debuts to Gary Canning and Jimmy Stein.
It was Melchester who had the better of the first half before De Loon found the bottom righthand corner after the Dutchman worked himself into a shooting position.
Championship outfit Blackton did put the away side under pressure from set pieces and
throw-ins, but without stretching the Rovers defence.
Debutant winger Canning hit the side netting after a well-worked corner in the second half for
the hosts, who face Rotherton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Melchester Rovers entertain Bradfield Town in the third round.
Melchester manager Johan Seegrun: "All forwards want to score and Marco has that. The
goal will give him confidence but he put in a very good shift. What we learned from Kingsbay

was we knew the extra width was coming. The best way to control that is by us keeping the
ball and we managed to do that in the second half when the long balls into the corners that
were coming in were spread out."
Blackton assistant manager George Pearson: "I'd like to think we can leave with our
heads held high. We've come up against a very talented Melchester team and apart from the
last 10 minutes I think we created some good chances. If we were a bit more ruthless we
might have gone into extra-time."

***
Tension mixed with pungent Deep Heat at Melchester Training Ground. The
victory over a weak Blackton Wanderers had done nothing to ease the strain
between Johan Seegrun, his supporters in the squad and the mutineers, led by
Richie Lyons. Thursday was the day that Seegrun and Valkers training sessions
focussed entirely on Total Football. Lyons, Drew Powell and Harry Jacobs already
knew they were dropped for the Sunday match at home to Rotherton, they
showed no intention of joining the mornings workout, preferring to stay in the
gymnasium. The captain, Jake Cheetham, scowled at his best friend Powell, who
avoided eye contact as he pounded the running machine. Cheetham had stuck
by his pal, begged his manager to reconsider his sanctions, but the Dutchman
was not one to back down, as stubborn as they come.
The Kingsbay 3, as they were now jokingly referred to in the Rovers dressing
room, had been training alone, apart from the one session in preparation for the
Blackton League Cup match, in which Lyons and Powell were to be substitutes.
Seegruns response to his dissenters would be considered extreme in the real
world of work, but in football players do occasionally need reminding of who is
ultimately accountable for team performance. Players were never sacked for
playing poorly, the manager would be removed as a result of such events.

Seegrun had made it clear that his system was at fault, but so were the players
who could not transfer their good work on the training field to the Premier
League.
As Jake stretched with the other first-team squad he thought back to earlier in
the week. Mondays team meeting had not been as stressful as he had feared.
Seegrun spoke confidently and calmly about his concerns. Players with concerns
of their own were offered the opportunity to speak up. None did, except the
captain, Boss, I get the system, I think we all do. But it goes against our
instincts. When were playing poorly, what we usually do is revert to a simple
game plan and try and get the basics right; like at the end of last season. Youre
asking a team thats out of form to play the most complex tactics weve ever
known. Cant you understand why some of us are getting frustrated?
The manager paused for thought, he knew Cheetham had made a very good
point. I do understand. What I do not understand is the panic. Too many of you
seem too concerned with the form. Form is irrelevant, results are what matter.
We have lost two games, we have drawn two games. Yes, we have not scored,
but in two games we kept did not concede. That is a positive. Too many of you
respond too much to feedback from outside this club. The feedback that matters
comes from me and from Valker; understand?
I am not entirely unhappy with what I am seeing. Until Kingsbay we were a solid
side, difficult to beat. I think some of you do not understand that Total Football is
total, it is not just an attacking system, it is as much a defensive system. In fact
the defensive positions are the most vital, the sweeper; Carruthers! he pointed
at the young defender, Your main duties? Tell me! As if he were back in
grammar school James stood as he spoke, To start attacks with short passes!
Seegrun span on the spot, arms flailing, No! Your main duty is to sweep
sweeper you move along behind the backline and clean up! You are a defender
first, always!
Seegruns mission to change the footballing philosophy at Melchester Rovers was
never going to be easy. But the manager was only just beginning to realise the
fundamental lack of understanding many of his players had of his system. His
captain believed that they all understood what he was asking of them, but he
was wrong. Carruthers was by far the most academically gifted member of the
Rovers squad. Yet even he had failed to grasp the basic concepts of Total
Football. OK, I have an idea, this morning it is fitness, we will move Total
Football to this afternoon. We go back to basics, I am going to talk you through
the best game of Total Football ever known, Alkhoven versus Melchester Rovers
in the 1978 European Cup Final!
Jake Cheetham continued to stretch. Mondays afternoon analysis was amazing;
Seegruns interpretation of the match he had reviewed less than forty-eight
hours before with Roy Race, was no different. He had read the game in the exact
same way as Roy. Surely Johans Rovers would come good, it was only a matter
of time.
***
Geoff Miles had arranged the meeting, for now David Roth, the Melchester
Rovers chairman would be the only one to know of Trevor Brinsdens imminent

return to the boardroom. Giles used his favourite venue, the American Bar at the
Melchester Hilton. His research had proven that Brinsden was not a wanted man,
there was no need for secrecy from the law, just from the thousands of Rovers
fans who populated the city. Trevors disappearance had been big news, the
Basranians had publicised his absence in order to justify their increasing levels of
control and influence over first-team matters. Without one half of the fan-elected
leadership team, the community based contract limiting BCIFs involvement was
void, allowing the Basranians back in the boardroom without the consent of the
Rovers members. Many supporters had not forgiven Brinsden for walking out on
his responsibilities, he was one of them, their true representative on the board of
the biggest football club in Europe. For now, Giles and Roth agreed to keep
Trevors return secret. First they would devise a plan for his reintroduction and
then attempt regain control of the club.
Eleven oclock on a Thursday was not a popular time to enjoy a cocktail, so the
bar was deserted. Brinsden and Giles sat in the corner between the bar and the
floor to ceiling windows. A view over the city for Trevor, while Geoff faced the
double swing doors, the only entry point to the bar. David Roth appeared, his
face a strange contortion of smile and grimace, as if he did not quite believe that
his former co-chairman was back. The men shook hands warmly, Hows it going,
old boy? Roth asked, You look well, thats a healthy tan and youve lost
weight!
Miles had briefed Trevor, it was best not to reveal anything about where he had
been hiding and certainly any of the more illicit activities that had taken place
over the last eighteen months. Roth, too, did not expect answers; Brinsdens
return was good for business, that was his primary concern.
So, how do we get you back on the board? The original agreement was null
once you failed to attend three consecutive meetings, BCIF had you removed at
an EGM. But I reckon theres a loophole! As you were never replaced, we can
have you reinstated if your absence can be confirmed as down to extraordinary
circumstances. Roth looked Brinsden up and down, Unfortunately you look
rather healthy right now! I was thinking cancer, I know it sounds horrible and
tempting fate somewhat, but its the only thing I can think of. The whole story
would show you in a really positive light, no-one could hold a grudge, we can do
a recovery piece in the Melchester Echo.
Trevor agreed to Roths simple plan, pretending to be a cancer survivor was
hardly the worst crime he had committed. There were reservations; his mother
had died from the disease when he was nineteen, which had a profound effect on
his personality. But morality and business had no link as far as Brinsden was
concerned. Doctors notes would be forged and supporting statements prepared
if any doubt emerged. Officially Trevor had spent the last twelve months in a
specialist recovery centre in the Cayman Islands, Roth knew a doctor there who
could be paid off if need be. The tan would be explained and the general
secretive nature surrounding the tax haven would thwart any investigative
journalism.
Trevor was always surprised at how quickly his own mind could conjure up alibis
and cover stories, but even he was amazed at the speed in which David Roth had
pulled this story together. Roths efficiency poured doubt over the legitimacy of
his past. Perhaps all successful businessmen had shady backgrounds and
skeletons in the closet, everyone who Brinsden had met seemed to.

So it was settled; Trevor would appear on the pitch at half-time during the
Rotherton game, live on Orbital Sports that Sunday. He would do an interview at
full-time explaining his battle with cancer. Roth would provide a script, complete
with locations, names and times. A follow-up article would appear in Mondays
Melchester Echo with full details of Trevors heroic fight. With the positive
publicity flowing, BCIF would have no choice but to accept Roths re-nomination
of Trevor Brinsden as chairman of Melchester Rovers. The fans would be back in
charge.
***
While Melchester Rovers fans were berating the lack of entertainment offered up
by their side, in West London, the loyal supporters of Walford Rovers were dizzy
with excitement. Kenny Davenports team sat in third place in the Premier
League, scoring freely, playing a fizzy pop style of attacking football. Declan
McKaffree, unwanted at Melchester, was excelling in the number ten roll,
supporting talented England striker Nicky Morris. Both men were in goalscoring
form, sharing seven goals in all competitions.
Tonight would be their biggest test of the season so far. After winning the F.A.
Cup, Walford, of course, entered the Europa League. Drawn in a tough group,
thanks to their low UEFA Co-efficient, their opening group game proved simple as
Cypriot Champions Nicosia were thrashed 4-0. But match day two would be an
entirely different challenge; a daunting trip to Northern Italy to face mighty
Canazaro.

Walford Rovers humbled 10-man Canazaro as the London club moved clear at the
top of their Europa League group after a stylish display.

Home defender Mario Cabanas was sent off for a ninth-minute professional foul when he
hauled down Declan McKaffree. And McKaffree was first to make the Italian giants pay with
his right-footed opener, which went in via a deflection.
After the break Nicky Morris fired in from eight yards to make it 2-0 and McKaffree curled in
a 30-yard free-kick to move Walford 3 points clear at the top of Group A. That concluded a
memorable, historic night for the visitors as Walford claimed their first ever away victory in
European competitions.
As Walford and their fans celebrated, the home supporters aimed their howls of derision at
manager Mario Bertini, who was appointed in the summer.
Canazaro boast a proud record in Europe - they lie 8th in the all-time overall European
standings - while Walford have never been beyond the second round in seven previous
forays into European competition.
Bertini made nine starting line-up changes following their 3-1 Serie A defeat by Stezia and
Davenport made five changes, one enforced by skipper Andy Church's ankle injury. If
Bertini's wholesale changes were intended to garner a positive response to their earlyseason set-backs, the plan unfolded.
The hosts were left exposed to Walford's passing style after Uruguayan Cabanas was sent
off for dragging down McKaffree as the veteran Irish international threatened to race clear.
The visitors took the lead when Antonio Cuatro broke away and found Morris on the left and
the striker crossed for McKaffree to convert right-footed from inside the penalty area. Walford
could have added more as they dominated the first half with Philip Matthews spurning a
great chance when he fired across goal while Morris had a less clear-cut headed chance but
was off-balance just outside the six-yard box and saw his effort drift wide.
McKaffree shot wide from 20 yards just before the break and he missed another opportunity
to double the visitors' lead after half-time after being played in by Matthews. Matthews wellplaced cross gave McKaffree another chance to double the visitors' lead as they pressed
early in the second period.
Morris flicked another chance over the bar from close range as Walford continued in positive
fashion. But Morris was not to be denied a goal and confidently stroked in Walford's second
from eight yards after Cuatro found him with a well-weighted pass. Moments later Declan
McKaffree sent a dipping, curling free-kick into the top corner to seal Walford's victory.

Walford manager Kenny Davenport: "This was a momentous night for Walford Rovers.
Coming out here to Italy and getting that result is just unbelievable. We deserved it, yes a bit
of luck with the red card, but we never gave them a sniff. Ive got to mention Declan
McKaffree, hes made a massive difference to us. His movement, skill and experience, as
well as his goals. Hes turning us into a real side.
Storky Knight
NEXT Melchester United?