Roy of the Rovers

Roy of the Rovers is a British comic strip following the story of a fictional footballer and later manager named Roy Race, who was associated with Melchester Rovers. The strip first appeared in the Tiger in 1954, and later became the main feature in his own comic.

After Roy’s playing career ended due to a helicopter crash the focus shifted to Roy’s son Rocky. The Race family’s adventures were later featured in the Match of the Day football magazine until its closure in 2001.

The strip depicted Rovers competing for top honours in English and European football, with dramatic off-pitch storylines including kidnappings, shootings, and celebrity appearances. Real-life football players and personalities also made appearances in the strip. The phrase “real Roy of the Rovers stuff” is often used in the football world to describe displays of great skill or surprising results that defy the odds.