Roy ‘Roy of the Rovers’ Race, the Melchester Rovers legend and icon of English football, has today announced his intention to apply for the now vacant England manager job.

A towering figure in the national game renowned for fair play and a rocket of a right foot, Race is set return to football nearly twenty years after his retirement.

With a glittering career that saw him win nearly every honour in the game – including topping the Premier League/old First Division ten times, the FA Cup ten times, the UEFA Cup twice and the European Cup four times, alongside 32 England caps – the former player/manager is perfectly placed to reinvigorate the England set up.

Roy Race commented this morning:

“Nothing would make me prouder than to take the reins of the England football team in this time of crisis.

My entire life has been dedicated to football, and I believe with a little bit of hard work, dedication and that good old Melchester spirit, we can put English football back where it belongs – at the top.”

While Race has a number of forthcoming commitments in 2017 – to be announced soon by his new media partners, Rebellion Publishing – Melchester’s favourite striker is set to return to football and become a firm fixture in the national game once again.

A panel of Roy of the Rovers in action by David Sque, running onto a pass from Blackie Grey! Roy of the Rovers © Rebellion

Roy of the Rovers is a footballing icon. Charting the career of charismatic Melchester Rovers striker Roy Race, Roy of the Rovers first appeared as a strip in Tiger in 1954, proving an instant smash with football-mad boys. Graduating to its own comic in 1976, Roy of the Rovers was where a generation of British football fans went for drama and glory, and ran for over 800 issues.

Recently purchased by Rebellion Publishing, Roy of the Rovers will soon be back on the pitch after over twenty years on the sidelines.

“ROY OF THE ROVERS”^TM IS USED AS TRADEMARK, © REBELLION PUBLISHING LTD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: British Comics Reference - Titles - Sports Comics, Comic Genres, downthetubes News, Rebellion Publishing, Roy of the Rovers, Roy Race