What was William "Blackie" Gray up to in the 80's? Right by Roy's side of course...and we see what adventures he gets up to...friend, confidant, loyal servant to Rovers...pretty mean with a machine gun too...yes the 80's were a busy time for Blackie! We also pick up the "We Are United" story from the pages of "Champ" a new season is about to begin, player transfers being discussed...and suddenly a major injury to a star player!

In this episode our Time Traveller takes us through the 1989/90 season of the "Roy of The Rovers" comic...there were big changes in the offing...which one was his favourite this season? Also in this episode Bygone Berrigan brings us another story from the pages of "Football Picture Story Monthly", "The Pressure Game" from book 142 - from his lovely new purchase of a bound compilation of books from the DC Thomson archives...plus some wonderful feedback on our last show commemorating the launch of the "Roy of The Rovers" comic 50 years ago....enjoy!

On September 20th 1976 the very first "Roy of The Rovers" comic was published by IPC Magazines, dated 25th September. In this show we celebrate that launch which further catapulted Roy of The Rovers into being a household name within British popular culture. We also look back and celebrate the people behind the launch including of course it's architect, it's first editor the legendary Barrie Tomlinson. We are also honoured to be joined by the artist of "Roy of The Rovers" in that first issue, the incomparable David Sque - tune in!

In this special show we meet Mark Towers, "Roy of The Rovers" archivist and creator of the official "Roy of The Rovers" website back in the late 90's...it's great hearing about how Mark got into the comic and also how he created and ran the website. He also met with a lot of the creators and has some really interesting stories to tell..enjoy!

In this weeks show our Time-Traveller Golden Ian recalls the 1988/89 season in the "Roy of The Rovers' comic...what were his favourite stories this season? which ones didn't impress? and what did the merger with 'Hot-Shot" mean for the comic? We also do a Collectors Corner and hear about Bygone Berrigan's recent "continental" purchase from an old friend of the pod...enjoy! Running order1. Social Media feedback (Melvin's Musings)2. Roy of The Rovers comic 1988/89 season3. Collectors Corner

This week we carry on Time Traveller Ian Golden's review of the "Roy of the Rovers" weekly comic seasons with a look at 1987/88. We also cover our attendance at Barrie Tomlinson's memorial event and the release of two exciting books, Ian's very own ROTR@50 and the new Football Picture Story Montly "Best of" covering "We Are United".....plus all the social media feedback from the last two shows! Running order:1. Social Media feedback from last two shows2. Barrie Tomlinson's memorial event3. Roy of the Rovers comic 1987/884. Football Picture Story Monthly "Best of" Volume 2 "We Are United"

In this episode we have the pleasure and honour of meeting Bob Bond, the artist and illustrator who did the fabulous caricature work which appeared in "The Valiant" "Tiger" and "Scorcher" during the late 60's and across the 70's, which we'd often also see in "Roy of The Rovers" Summer specials and annuals. He talks about his whole career including being inspired by meeting the great "Eagle" comic and Dan Dare artist Frank Hampson in 1950 and his work post the comics. He's a lovely man and it was great meeting and talking to him.

The third and final World Cup 2026 special sees us go back to 1994 and the "Roy of The Rovers" Monthly to tell the tale of when Paul Delroy Ntende ("Delroy of The Rovers") played for Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. We cover the "Melchester Files" from 1987, and there is another World Cup story from the 60's when we meet "Gorgeous Gus" and hear all about his journey gathering sea bird eggs and appearing at the 1966 final....

Yes we're back with more football comic World Cup nostalgia! This week we review the 1982 "Roy of The Rovers" Summer Special which had a strong World Cup theme, we go through the "Goals of Jimmy Grant" story in the 1990 Victor annual when he played for England and we finally re-tell a "story" from the pages of "The Hotspur" written and published in May 1966, which eventually covers England winning the World Cup - before they actually won the World Cup....a case of fiction foretelling the future? Enjoy!

This week there's a definite World Cup flavour in the show - Bygone Berrigan does a Judith Chalmers and takes us to Mexico, back to June 1986 when the very first "Football Picture Story Monthly" was published and tells us the story of when Jon Stark "Matchwinner for hire" appeared in the 1986 World Cup for England...against some interesting countries....then Time Traveller Golden Ian takes us through the "Roy of The Rovers" stories which appeared in the "Today" newspaper, again in 1986/87 written by Barrie Tomlinson...then finally the boys discuss the exciting release of "The Best of Stark" ,Volume 1 of a new "Football Picture Story Monthly" compilation....fingers crossed there will be more!