Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 29









* * *
Doctor Nic Johansson was widely recognised as the best sports surgeon in Europe, he had operated
on international footballers, star tennis players, any world-class sportsperson who needed the very
best treatment would seek him out. Now Jake Cheetham sat with his manager Vernon Eliot and the
Melchester Rovers club doctor, Debbie Foster, nervously waiting for the doctor to arrive. Foster had
watched the surgery and was impressed, Jake, he made the decision instantly, when he saw the
extent of the tear, he saw no point in waiting, he repaired it then and there. It was amazing to
watch, he really is a marvel!
Jake was a little relieved that the operation had taken place without any delay. He would have been
liable to depression had he had to wait even any length of time for the procedure. Yes, he had
needed the full operation, but it was over now. He could focus on recuperation and recovery,
Premier League football clubs had access to top of the range facilities, he would surely be fit again in
no time.
Doctor Johansson snuck into the room holding a folder, Good news and bad news Im afraid. The
operation was a complete success, I can see some evidence of healing already. Jake perked up,
Wow really! Thats great isnt it? The doctor continued, Yes it is. But you must not rush. I see you
being able to return to running in five weeks. Let me explain; the tear was not as serious as it could
have been. Thats why I operated immediately, I did not need to prepare you for the more risky
procedure. But here is the problem; running is okay, yes, in five weeks, you understand? But no way
you can kick the ball then, that must wait until the strength is back in the knee. Debbie was
concerned, How long will that take? Johansson shook his head, I have no clue. That will be down
to Mr Cheethams body and how well he recovers and how it is when he is running. He must be very
careful, even a little ankle turn from running on uneven ground could add weeks to the full
recovery.
Johansson, took a file from his folder and handed it to Debbie, This is my recommendation; read it.
The club doctor opened and scanned through the document quickly, Yes, thats a great idea! When
should he go? The Swedish doctor had written a full day by day recovery programme for Jake, but
he insisted that the only way for it to succeed was for the Melchester captain to travel with him to
stay at his centre in rural Sweden. The centre is spectacular. It is like the greatest spa hotel in the
world. We have only the most up-to-date technology. Everything from the bed to the floor of the
lobby is designed to aid recovery. You must come. With my help, you stand a chance of being fit for
the World Cup. Without this programme I say your target is early July, pre-season training. The key is
to control every stage of the recovery only I can do that for you! I leave you now to think, okay?
Vernon Eliot was impressed, but the treatment was incredibly expensive, Theres no way I can
sanction that amount, Jake. I must go to David Roth, it could cover two first team players wages for a
season! Its out of my hands, sorry man. Vernon followed the doctor out of the room. Jake stared
blankly at Debbie Foster, Its okay Jake, Roth will find the money, Im sure he can get some on the
insurance. Youre worth more to Rovers fully fit and back to your best than three million pounds!
Cheetham was still downhearted, I know that. I know I will recover, but Rovers need me now. We
must qualify for the Champions League and I really want to play in the World Cup. Who knows I
could end up like Roy Race. He was the greatest footballer of all time but never starred on the
biggest stage of all. I dont want to miss out on Brazil!
* * *
What do you mean, Still no word? Someone, somewhere must know where Trevor Brinsden is!
David Roth, the co-chairman of Melchester Rovers had not seen or heard from his partner for over
four months and he was angry. Brinsden cant just disappear without a word. He has
responsibilities, I need him to sign things. The whole balance of power at this club falters without
him here! Roth had been trying desperately to push through sponsorship deals and progress was
excellent, but with Trevor AWOL, Melchesters finances were suffering. Brinsden was only a
figurehead in the complicated make-up of the community-owned football club. He had no financial
commitment to the club and was unpaid. But without him, David Roths own power was limited. The
community-led side of the club owned only 51% of the club, that vital one percent shifting control
from Basran Capital Investment Fund (BCIF, the Basranian consortium who previously owned the
club). But the Arab businessmen had been monitoring the situation at Mel Park closely. With Rovers
likely to finish well up in the Premier League, their share of the prize money and television pot could
be worth tens of millions to the owners.
For the first time in months, Roth had received correspondence from BCIF. The general gist of the
letter was clear; unless Trevor Brinsden returned before the end of the season, the agreement
between the two parties would be invalid, allowing the Basranians to regain full control of the club.
Roth could not allow that to happen, he had to find investors willing to buy up the community
shares, they had to be strong enough to resist any approach from BCIF to sell. But so far he had no
luck, shady characters from Italy and underfinanced Midlands based businesses, would not be stable
enough to prevent the club returning to Basranian hands. I cant understand the lack of interest in
owning a part of the most famous football club in Europe. Roth said to his secretary, With the
financial fair play rules expanding, were one of the only top clubs that wont have to massively cut
our spending. Melchester Rovers should be the most attractive option for any would be investor!
The secretary did not really understand, but nodded in sympathy, Mister Roth, Mister Eliot is here
for you now. The manager had arrived for the weekly review with his chairman and was standing in
the bar of the executive lounge, sipping on a mug of tea.
Oh, Vernon great to see you! Ive some excellent news and it will mean more money for you! Roth
said, as he approached his manager, hand outstretched. What is it then? Dont keep me in
suspense, man! The two men, shook hands and took seats around the large boardroom table in the
room adjacent to the lounge. Sponsors, Vernon. Ive news of two new sponsors and bumper deals
too! Ill keep one to myself for now, Ive a few details to iron out. But the new kit deal is all
confirmed; for the next four seasons Melchester Rovers will wear an Adidas strip, very stylish Im
told! And its worth - wait for it! 80million! Vernon Eliots eyebrows almost jumped from his
forehead, Oh man! Thats too good! Whats the catch? Roth replied, There is none. The men at
Adidas believe that weve turned a corner, that we are genuine contenders. They believe, like I do,
that from next season Melchester Rovers will be competing with Europes elite once again!
Eliot, was shaking with excitement, I better start drawing up a list of transfer targets! How much
will I get to spend? David Roth hesitated, he was disappointed that Vernon was in effect demanding
the Adidas money as transfer funds, that just would not be the case. It could not, as long as, the
future of the clubs ownership remained unresolved. Vernon, I know it sounds a lot of money, but
most of that will be spent securing the future of the club. We must get our stars to sign new deals,
Nathan Daniels, Jones and Batty are all out of contract this summer. We already agreed that we
need to keep them. Then there are the improvements to the development squad facilities; you were
at the board meeting when we sanctioned the education centre, thats four million pounds alone.
Im afraid unless we secure some new investors, then the transfer policy will have to remain as it is.
* * *
Rocky Race handed his father a tall glass of chilled Californian white wine as they stood side by side
on the terrace looking out across the young Races backyard. Rockys two young daughters were
playing on the lawn with his wife, she was staying out of the way; the men needed to talk soccer and
she was not in the mood for it. So Dad, training tomorrow, you looking forward to it? Roy had
arrived in the States late that morning and would be taking over as the Baltimore Bullets first team
coach while his son serves his ten match suspension. I cant wait. It will be great to work with a
first-team again. I didnt realise how much I missed it until we arranged this. Now Ive got all sorts of
ideas buzzing in my head. I havent slept properly the last few days; Im running scenarios over and
over, playing with tactics and formations. I think Ive watched every Bullets game from the last five
seasons. I wont let you down son, I promise that!
His fathers enthusiasm pleased Rocky, but he could not help but be a little worried. Roy Race was a
superb football manager, if he did the job expected of him, then the Bullets owners may feel
compelled to hire him on a full-time basis. Even though temporary and so far unannounced, Roy
Races appointment would be the biggest piece of business in American soccer since Rockys own
signing as the Bullets marquee player in 2007. This was Rockys first coaching job in professional
football, he was already vulnerable. He needed his father now, but he also needed him to step aside
when his time was up. They would have to talk about this at some point, but not now.
So, I think we may need to make a significant change. I know how much you, son, like me, want to
play the Melchester way. But your players dont seem to have the ability or tactical nous to play the
4-3-3. Would you agree? Rocky was listening carefully, his famous father was already taking over,
but he knew deep down that he was right, Its a shame, I wanted to continue the Race tradition, the
system works! The younger man took a big gulp of his wine as his father responded, Ah, but only
with the right players. The Bullets are just not disciplined enough for the positional demands of the
system. Simply, many of them are not good enough and Rocky interrupted, My best player is left
on the margins! Race Senior was waiting for that response, Thats it! Carlos Figueroa is probably
the most talented midfielder in the entire league, he could easily still play at the top level in Spain or
Italy. But in the 4-3-3 he has too much running to do; that just isnt his game. He must play deeper
and set the tempo of the attacks. Rocky was nodding away, Thats exactly what he keeps saying to
me. I didnt want to give in though, I wanted to show the team who was in charge. But I guess a
manager must use the experience of his senior players.
Roy Race had always done that, he had relied upon Blackie Gray, Duncan McKay and Johnny Dexter
through the years, their presence on the field and in the dressing room, but just as importantly on
the training pitch and away from football, as friends and role models. Rocky would have a problem
establishing who to turn to, he was a superstar footballer in his time, his players should respect him
for that, but his side only had the one experience player and the two had already had a series of
disagreements. Roy had a solution, Rocky, have you thought about bringing in a friend as your
assistant? I mean after Ive gone, you should get some help in. Like I always had Blackie or Mervyn
Wallace by my side, you need someone youre close to. It will help take the pressure off, but more
importantly, he will be someone you can bounce ideas off, have honest discussions with. Have a
think about it, who can you bring in?
A loud buzzing noise came from the wooden table on the terrace, rattling the wine bottle in its ice
bucket and making Roy jump. Its just my alarm, Dad! 7:45pm in England, time to watch the
Rovers!
NEXT: Rovers face the mighty Everpool and Roy returns to the dugout