Roy Of The Rovers The Best Of The 1980s

Britain’s most famous fictional soccer star — Roy Race — makes his long-awaited return in this first bumper volume, collecting the very best of Roy’s thrilling escapades! Featuring the best of Roy’s matches and adventures from the ’80s, this incredible collection is a must-have for soccer fans of all ages! Thrill once more to the roar of the crowd, as Roy and his team, Melchester Rovers, face trials and tribulations on and off the pitch, as they face relegation, Roy’s marriage is in trouble, and an assassin strikes! With a foreword by former soccer star turned BBC legend Gary Lineker, these are the tales that endeared Roy of the Rovers to British fans of all ages, and provide the ultimate introduction to the best soccer comic ever created!

Revisit the most senstional football storylines of the 1980s, including the shocking 'Who Shot Roy Race?' The best stories from England's favourite footballer, in a lavish hardback collection. The dawn of this new decade was one that Melchester Rovers would want to forget. The 80/81 season was far from their finest hour with the threat of relegation snapping at their heels all throughout the season and exits from the F.A. Cup and the European Cup leaving the trophy cabinet bare. For star striker Roy Race it couldn't be worse. His obsession with the team had caused a strain on his marriage and fractured his relationship with teammates like the hot-headed Vic Guthrie. And then there was an attempt on his life... After being shot in December 1981, Roy lay in a coma for several weeks while Sir Alf Ramsey stepped into the dugout for Melchester. Life in a lower division beckons, but at least the Rovers will be the most stylish team on the pitch with their new Gola sponsored kits! This book collects the most sensational storyline from Roy of the Rovers history.

The greatest story ever told by the world's most beloved sportsman, Roy of the Rovers, in his own words for the first time.For 44 years, Roy Race bestrode the world of football. As captain and later player-manager of Melchester Rovers, in a career of unprecedented majesty and extraordinary length, he knew the glory of 9 league titles, 8 FA Cup victories, 3 European Cups, and countless international appearances for England. But only now is he ready to tell his own story.Candid, emotional, optimistic, and never less than inspiring, the autobiography of the man all fans of the game know simply as 'Roy of the Rovers' will lay bare for the first time the truth behind soccer's ultimate fairy tale story.The shocking details of the five terrifying kidnappings that threatened to blight his playing career; the stomach-churning murder attempt in 1980, which left Roy in a life-threatening coma; the sickening car bomb attack that tragically killed 8 of Roy's team-mates while on a pre-season tour of Basran; the devastation of losing his wife, former Melchester club secretary Penny Laine, who died in a car accident that brought Roy closer than ever to quitting the game he loved.And finally the horrific helicopter crash in 1993 that resulted in the amputation of Roy's legendary left foot, finally bringing the curtain down on his sensational, game-clinching, goalscoring exploits.From the first page to the last, it's Roy of the Rovers stuff.The greatest story ever told, by the world's most beloved sportsman.Roy of the Rovers. In his own words.

Roy Race was Melchester Rovers' super striker, and later manager and chairman; he is known everywhere simply as 'Roy of the Rovers'. Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff is the inside story of his life with Melchester, told by the man who knows him better than anyone: editor Barrie Tomlinson, the man who helped turn him from comic-book hero to a national institution. From the 1950s, millions of children grew up reading about his footballing adventures in Tiger and Roy of the Rovers. Now they can relive all the memorable moments from Roy's illustrious footballing career. From his debut as a fresh-faced teen in the comic Tiger, Roy became the hero of his own football comic; with league titles, cup finals, Wembley wins and much more; how he survived near-death experiences, became the first boys' hero to get married and just why the saying 'Real Roy of the Rovers stuff!' became a stock phrase for football commentators everywhere. Packed with photos from Roy's life, the book tells how he became a top celebrity of his day, how Sir Alf Ramsey was convinced to be Melchester manager, Geoffrey Boycott became chairman and even how the Duke of Edinburgh once came to write for Roy's comic!

The 'Gold' Generation! Melchester Rovers' reign of the 80s continues! As the team surges forward towards a Milk Cup final, they are undoubtedly the best in the country. But this hasn't stopped some discontent behind the scenes. With cricket legend Geoff Boycott acting as chairman for the club and Roy bringing veteran keeper Bob Wilson and Liverpool legend Emlyn Hughes back into the game, many fans and critics are questioning Roy's managerial decision-making. And now Roy is about to sign Steve Norman and Martin Kemp from the hit-making pop group, Spandau Ballet - they may be worth their weight in gold as musicians, but can they perform on the pitch?

Collecting together – for the first time ever – 20 years' worth of the best material from the golden age of British annuals. Featuring classic comic strips, vintage UK soccer features and thrilling short stories all taken from Roy of the Rovers annuals of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

An incredible and historic hardcover celebrating 65 years of iconic character, Roy of the Rovers! In 1954, an unassuming young footballer named Roy Race made his debut for Melchester Rovers in the pages of Tiger. Seven decades later, Roy of the Rovers is a household name and a footballing institution, and Rebellion is celebrating with the Roy of the Rovers 65th Anniversary Special! All the goals and glory from seven decades of iconic football action!

Fantasy meets football in the magical story of a boy and his enchanted boots! Young Billy Dane was one of the most passionate football fans at Bingley Road Junior school...unfortunately he was also one of the worst players! Then, one afternoon, Billy's grandmother got him to clean out her attic and Billy finds a pair of old fashioned football boots that belonged to 'Dead-Shot' Keen - a famous centre forward who once played for England.

COMIC BOOK & CARTOON ART. Ever since comics for boys were first published in the late nineteenth century, they have offered their readers fun, adventure and escapism. During the first half of the twentieth century, boys' comics began to regularly feature sportsmen of all types, and footballers became the ultimate favourite. The introduction of football comics presented in a cartoon-strip format became immensely popular during the 1960s, with Rover, Hotspur and Wizard amongst the top titles. Although these comics are no longer in circulation, there is still a significant level of interest amongst boys and men of all ages, and the culture of the comic-book hero continues. Extensively researched to cover the history and the storylines associated with these comics and their heroes, this is a unique, nostalgic account of the football comic-book phenomenon that will jog the memories of older readers and introduce the magic of these imaginary sporting stars to a new generation.

Subject: Exhiibtion catalogue published "on the occasion of the British Library exhibition ... 2 May-19 August 2014"--Title page verso