Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning Week 23 Roy Race was on the end of a fearful tongue-lashing from his

s youngest daughter. On Christmas morning Roy had promised Diana that he and Vernon Eliot would bring her husband, Declan McKaffree back to Melchester Rovers, but the loan deal had yet to be finalised. Diana was fuming, Dad, Dec has quit Glenrath Celtic, he cant play for them again, not after the things he said. Weve sold the house, were homeless and youve not got that contract sorted! Roy had done everything he could, but Celtic were dragging their feet. Declan was out of contract in July, so is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club, but the Scottish Champions were waiting to sign a replacement before releasing the forward. Were trying, you know that, and youre not homeless you can stay in my apartment in town until we get it sorted. Vernons told me that the board are allowing him to spend at least fifteen million pounds this window, so Im sure it wont be long now. We really need Declan now too, especially with NDiaye injured, Van Den Broeck moving back to Holland and Richie Lyons off form. Trust me, well have Declan signed in time for the F.A. Cup match against Molton United next weekend and hell go straight into the squad. Diana accepted her fathers reasoning, Declan was already training with the Rovers first team, she was just worried and needed reassurance, she had seen transfer deals breakdown so many times. Christmas Day had been almost perfect, she hated life in Scotland and longed to return to Melchester, only in the short-term though, ideally Declan would perform so well for the Rovers that a London club would offer him a long contract. Diana wanted to start a high-street fashion label, Melchester was not a fashionable place, it would be impossible to launch her brand if she was not in London. But she could not tell her father this, he would see it as a betrayal, she still believed, deep down, that Roy Race loved Melchester Rovers Football Club more than his family. Dad, please just make it happen. We need to come home, Glenrath is a horrible place. I cant stand it anymore. Diana pleaded with her father, Ill ring Vernon now and nag him a bit. I promise you that Declan McKaffree will be a Melchester Rovers player again! Diana danced a little jig and skipped into the kitchen. She took a bottle of Champagne from the refrigerator, Daddy! When Dec signs well open this, yeah? It looks expensive, I bet its really good!

Diana was still quite childlike, she had never had to work for anything, being a Race and marrying a Premier League footballer. She and Declan had become best friends soon after the Irishman had arrived at Rovers as a sixteen year-old. Declan had lived with the Races after he struggled to settle in the youth team digs. They became inseparable and eventually their friendship blossomed into something more. They married the day after Dianas twentieth birthday in a grand ceremony at a country house outside Declans home village in Ireland. Declan remained a key Melchester Rovers player for ten years, until the 2010/11 season when he was sold to Glenrath Celtic for a nominal fee, having refused to sign a new contract. Diana was disgusted with the move, she believed a player of Declans class could have his pick of Englands top clubs. Walford Rovers were her choice, but Declan chose the club he supported as a boy and their superior wage packet to the fashionable London club. Living in the Scottish capital strained their relationship, sectarian divisions meant Declan was not welcome in half the city, they had no social life. Their house was great, but the cold, dark winters led her into depression. Celtic were winning and Declan was starring in European competitions, scoring against top sides like Real Santana and Monza. She was never happy, Declan had wanted to start a family, have children, but Diana refused, she did not want to raise children in that horrible place. *** Trevor Brinsden had received an urgent message from his private investigator, Geoff Miles. At this delicate and vital time, the Melchester Rovers co-chairman knew that something was up. Had his scheme been exposed? It could not have been, it was perfectly planned. But, as always, when doing something highly illegal, paranoia and worry were never far away. Unusually Miles was already in the bar of the Melchester Hilton, their usual meeting place, his body language betrayed bad news. Trevor sat beside the P.I. patting him on the shoulder, Is it off? he asked. Miles nodded, Probably, Ive been following your betting men, checking that no policemen or anti-fraud officers have marked them. They havent, but someone else has; Javier Acosta has! Trevor stared in disbelief, I thought he was daft. How could he have rumbled me? Miles shook his head, Ive no idea, but hes been trailing your main man for the past three days. Have you met him in that time? If you did he probably spotted you and tracked him. Its not that hard to do. Trevor cursed himself, Darn it! I met him by the river on Saturday night. We didnt talk, or even acknowledge each other. I thought it was perfect. Obviously it wasnt. I need to talk to Acosta and sort this out; where is he now, do you now Geoff? Miles was not impressed by Trevors plan to meet Acosta, but he was not paid to make those decisions, Your man and Acosta are in the Coral shop on the high street, it was pretty busy when I passed earlier. Trevor leapt to his feet and sped off towards the spiral staircase. Miles sat still, he knew what Trevor Brinsden was capable off, he could never deal with him again. Their relationship was over. *** Thomas Carruthers, Melchester Rovers new centre-back signing gently knocked on the door of Vernon Eliots office in the training complex, Come in, son! Sit down, Carruthers obliged and took a seat opposite his manager, Youre in! I want you to make your debut against Kingsbay on Saturday. Ive been well impressed with you so far. Youve got to take this opportunity, with the F.A. Cup next weekend, when youre cup-tied Clegg and Burgess will get a game. If they play better than you then you may not get another chance for a while. Show me what you can do. Roy Race has faith and your training this week was excellent. Just keep the nerves under control and do your best.

The young defender could not hide his delight, Yes! I wont let you down boss. Ill mark Ollie Morrison so tight he wont get a kick! Vernon shook the players hand, Get back out on that training pitch, one last session before the big game! The manager led the way, to the far pitch where Derek Mostin was leading one of his skills sessions. Vernon was carrying the team sheet, Okay lads, listen up! Heres the team for Kingsbay; Daniels, Piedra, Lamidel, Jones, Carruthers, Batty, Powell, Cheetham, Marshall, Jacobs, Lyons. Declan Im sorry, son, but your registration wont be completed in time. Nothing to do with us, Celtic are just being slow, they want to complete the signing of Grant Lee from Castlemere first. Lets have a clap for Tom then, making his debut tomorrow! All the players joined in, even those missing out, Burgess and Clegg. Vernon had already explained to the pair that they would be in partnership against Molton United in the F.A. Cup, which was probably an easier task than marking Ollie Morrison the former-Rovers star centre-forward. Not everyone was as positive though, Good luck Tom! Youll need it against Ollie! Curtis Blunt blurted out from the periphery of the group. Blunt was back in first-team contention thanks to the injuries and sale of Van Den Broeck, but was not making a good impression. Vernon hoped to offload him during the final week of the transfer window and had had some inquiries. Danny Jones, a senior player, did not appreciate Blunts attitude, You need to shut up boy! We dont need no negatives! Dont listen to him Tom, well do great. Blunt slunk away from the big defender, he did not like Jones, but would never cross him; any row between the two would only end in pain for the teenage forward. Enough of this nonsense, lets play some footy! Mostin shouted as Blunt jogged towards the far goal, lashing a loose ball into the net. Defence versus attack; Saturdays defence plus Batty and Powell, versus Cheetham, Lyons, Jacobs, Marshall and Jordan, and Blunt! To make it a bit different, theres two balls! Go! Mozzie kicked one ball to Jordan and the other to Blunt who was about fifty yards away from the group. Carruthers made a bee-line for the second ball, sprinting towards Curtis. As the forward attempted to control the ball, it bobbled away from him. The defender launched into a sliding tackle, neatly flicking the ball away but clattering into Blunt. Argh! screamed Curtis, What do you call that, man? Danny Jones let out a roar, Well in son! You didnt give him any time! But Jones was distracted, Richie Lyons had the other ball and swept past the big man before he could recover his position. Rovers top scorer pulled back his right leg, ready to unleash a thunderbolt. Huh? How? The ball was gone, Thomas Carruthers had somehow managed to get back, just in time to rob Lyons of possession, before he could shoot. Danny Jones burst out laughing, Oh my God! This boy is a player! Im telling you, Melchester, England, the world, weve got a talent here! As Mostin called time on the session, Danny Jones jogged off with his new centre-back partner, I cant wait until Saturday, brother! A real test too, Kingsbay may be mid-table, but Morrison is Englands top forward and definitely one of the best in the Premier League. But I reckon were up to it. And when you smashed Blunt brilliant, man! ***

Molton United won at Mel Park for the first time in forty years as Eoghan Wood's 90th minute winner knocked 10-man Melchester Rovers out of the FA Cup.
The Irish striker, who had caused anxiety in the Rovers defence for most of the game, headed in Martin Wellman's cross to book a fourthround spot against Eastoke. . The game looked like it was heading for a replay as the hosts held on following Wesley King's red card 10 minutes from the end after he had scythed down Ivan Livermore. But Wood's strike ended a run of seven games without a win for United, who had opened the scoring early on through Wellman before Richie Lyons equaliser . It marked a fifth consecutive defeat for Vernon Eliot's side. They have lost five times at home this season, including three in a row at Mel Park. Eliot's gamble to pick a second-string team failed badly, but he was without the injured Steve Daley and Fabrice NDiaye before kick-off and his side paid for wasting several good chances in the first half. There will also be concern for Mike Burgess, who left the field with a knee injury before being replaced by King. The utility defender lasted only four minutes before he was sent off. Although Rovers made a positive start with Lyons missing a great chance after a neat onetwo between Joshua Jordan and second debutant Declan McKaffree, the hosts went behind to a relatively simple goal. Michael Rowan, who replaced the injured John Branch, collected Wood's knock-back and his through ball found Wellman to lob over Eric Leclair after 12 minutes. The lead only lasted four minutes, though, as Lyons found his goal-scoring touch with a poked finish from close range after Ronnie Carpenter's curling right-wing cross. Eliot's side continued to create the better opportunities, but although they went close through Tommy Tonks and Carpenter, Molton weaved clever passing patterns in midfield behind the physical presence of Wood.

Burgess, who played his first game since September, and fellow centre-back David Clegg had to be smart to block another Wellman effort as Molton appeared after the break with more gusto. Rowan and Wood were also off-target. With Rovers appearing to lose their momentum, Eliot introduced Alex Lees after the hour mark, but the young striker could not add any zip and matters were made worse when King was sent off for a reckless challenge on Livermore only four minutes after replacing the injured Burgess. And the nightmare evening was complete when Wood's header sent the visiting fans into raptures and they will relish the trip to league leaders Blackport in the Championship on Saturday.

Storky Knight

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