roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 29

8/12/2019 Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 29

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Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 29


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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 youbeing able to return to running in five weeks. Let me explain; the tear was not as serious as it could

have been. Thatswhy 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 recoveryonly 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!

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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


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four months and he was angry. Brinsden cant justdisappear 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 onlytop 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! Rothsaid, 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 muchwill I get to spend? David Roth hesitated, he was disappointed that Vernon wasin 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.

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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 playerin 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! RaceSenior was waiting for that response, Thats it! Carlos Figueroa is probablythe 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 isnthis 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 ofdisagreements. 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 Blackieor 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

roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 29

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