{"title":"Illustrated by David Sque","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781781087923","title":"Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s - The Tiger Years","description":"\u003cb\u003eTHE TIGER YEARS! Relive the best \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRoy of the Rovers \u003c\/i\u003estories from the 1970s in this exciting anthology of reprinted classic strips, celebrating over 65 years of the iconic football comic.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe seventies was a very turbulent time in Britain. Following on from the optimism of the sixties, the country faced a decade of strikes and power cuts. Luckily for the fans of Melchester Rovers, Roy Race and his loyal time mates provided great moments of glory for their fans, starting with European Cup final win in 1973 in the year that the club celebrated its 50th anniversary.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was the decade in which footballers became real superstars – a time when Melchester goalkeeper Charlie Carter had to choose between staying at the club or perusing a burgeoning career as a pop singer. And it was a period when Roy Race truly cemented himself as the heart, soul and brain of the club by taking on the role of player manager.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56304683057525,"sku":"9781781087923","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781781087923_c6459077-2f19-46a4-ae35-89615d824cf1.jpg?v=1786025671"},{"product_id":"9781786184979","title":"Roy of the Rovers: The £100 Million Game","description":"\u003cb\u003eWINNER TAKES IT ALL! \u003ci\u003eThe £100 Million Game\u003c\/i\u003e is the eighth book in the football-tastic \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRoy of the Rovers\u003c\/i\u003e Graphic Novel series. Part of the third season, this exciting series is written by award-winning comics writer Rob Williams.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt has been a tumultuous three seasons since Roy Race first joined Melchester Rovers. Through financial difficulties, injuries, the near-loss of their manager, new ownership and the destruction of their old ground, the Rovers have defied all expectations and now find themselves on the brink of promotion into the Premiership, having also secured a place in the cup final. As club captain and top striker, Roy has been instrumental in the Rover’s success. But although he’s found glory on the pitch, behind the scenes he has battled tragedy and heartbreak.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, as the season draws to a close, will Roy be able to lead his team to victory? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Roy of the Rovers series:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eEPIC! - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMatch of the Day Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eI love the way that they are about so much more than football: they are about heart, values and family. Both graphic novel and fiction titles are compelling, engaging and a lot of fun. Lace up and get reading. - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJim Sells, Programme manager for Sport \u0026amp; Literacy, National Literacy Trust\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eRead with my 7 year old who is football mad, really enjoyed it and left us wanting to read the next one in the series! - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGoodReads Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56305729044853,"sku":"9781786184979","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781786184979_232d07ab-0c29-43c7-95f8-b3669ee8e63c.jpg?v=1786026004"},{"product_id":"9781781088968","title":"Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1980s - Who Shot Roy Race?","description":"\u003cb\u003eMELCHESTER MELTDOWN! Relive\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e the best \u003ci\u003eRoy of the Rovers \u003c\/i\u003estories from the 1990s in this exciting anthology of reprinted classic strips, celebrating over 65 years of the iconic football comic.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe dawn of this new decade was one that Melchester Rovers would want to forget. The 80\/81 season was far from their finest hour with the threat of relegation snapping at their heels all throughout the season and exits from the F.A. Cup and the European Cup leaving the trophy cabinet bare. For star striker Roy Race it couldn't be worse. His obsession with the team had caused a strain on his marriage and fractured his relationship with teammates like the hot-headed Vic Guthrie. And then there was an attempt on his life...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter being shot in December 1981, Roy lay in a coma for several weeks while Sir Alf Ramsey stepped into the dugout for Melchester. Life in a lower division beckons, but at least the Rovers will be the most stylish team on the pitch with their new \u003cb\u003eGola \u003c\/b\u003esponsored kits!","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312806179189,"sku":"9781781088968","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781781088968_b310aa03-da44-4370-a3b9-73d77cfcc505.jpg?v=1786025684"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/illustrator-david-sque.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}