Flair, individualism and goals is Rovers’ message

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 26

Flair, individualism and goals is Rovers’ message

(By D. P. MANSBRIDGE)

“Flair and individualism, and score as many goals as you can.” That will be the message to pass on to the Bristol Rovers soccer team when it goes on to the ground at English Park tomorrow evening to play Canterbury in the first match of its short New Zealand tour.

That was also the main message the club’s team manager (Mr D. Megson) had to impart as his personal philosophy on foptball when the British professional club arrived in Christchurch last evening.

“Soccer in England has become stereotvped and system-motivated. The name of the game is simply success, no matter how dull and unentertaining it might be to the public,” he said.

"Success is vitally important, but it should be gained through flair and allowing

players to be individuals within the structure of the team. I am convinced that that is to be the next cycle in English football.” And Mr Megson likes to believe that Bristol Rovers is one of the clubs bringing in this new attitude to the game. The West Country team can point to the record number of goals it scored last season and the entertainment it gave to many thousands of soccer supporters at the same time as winning promotion to the second division of the Football League. He has another very personal reason for welcoming this tour of New Zealand; he wants to see how much the soccer here has improved since his last visit. As a member of the Sheffield Wednesday club, he was in the English Football Association party that toured New Zealand in 1969. Two others in the Bristol side are also making their second visit—Colin Dobson, who was in the same English F.A. Side, and Frank Prince, who toured with the Welsh F.A. side two years ago. YOUNG PLAYERS Mr Megson will be using the tour to try out new systems and patterns and some young players—in preparation for the'club’s entry into the second division.

“One of these players is Peter Aitken, who has not played many games for us yet because he has been understudy to the team captain, Mike Green. But this 19-year-old lad is certain to be a Welsh international in the future. He has tremendous ability,” he said. Also certain to play tomorrow are the visiting team’s “Smash” and “Grab” artists —Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister — who between them scored more than 40 goals for Bristol last season. “Every one asks me how much they are worth. To Bristol Rovers, they are priceless. But I can say that I have refused offers from English first division clubs of £lOO,OOO for each of them,” he said. The club had four matches

on the way to New Zealand, beating Queensland, 2-1, New South Wales, 3-0, and Newcastle 9-1, and losing to Victoria on Sunday, 1-2. “The defeat in Melbourne was primarily due to the heavy win we had in Newcastle. The players just did not settle down quickly enough after their brilliant play two days previously in Newcastle. And that is why they will be all the more determined to be in top form again on Wednesday,” said Mr Megson. Mr Megson delayed namirfg the side to play Canterbury until after the’players train at Christchurch Boys’ High School this morning, at 10.30 aun.

“Tell all the soccer youngsters in Canterbury they will be welcome to come and talk to the players and watch the training. That is another reason we are here; to foster the game,” he said.