Roy of the Rovers Reboot!

Here's a team I haven't featured on the blog for a while; the illustrious Melchester Rovers!

For those that didn't know, Roy of the Rovers has been rebooted in the form of graphic novels, and while I haven't read any, I thought I'd try my hand at the new kit!

It features a new badge, with a lion on it, and an association with hummel means the trademark (and beautiful!) chevrons down the arms and side of the shorts!

Other changes... I can't say I approve of Roy's red boots! At least they match the kit, I suppose.

And having already admitted I haven't read the books, I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt on the number 14 shirt (not Roy's customary 9) and assume that he was given this number before establishing himself in the first team!

I'm fairly sure this ending up being bought on ebay... I certainly don't still have it, anyway!

Roy of the Rovers reboot

Well, it's been a while since a Melchester Rovers figure appeared here, so here's one in the kit from the new version of Roy of the Rovers!

In the reboot, the kit is sponsored by the Totally Football Show, and the kit is made by Hummel. You can't see it on this picture, but the sleeves and shorts feature the Hummel chevrons!

The club crest has also been redesigned, and now features a lion!

I changed the boots to red, and also changed his eye colour! I left the hair, but have had it suggested to me that it would look good in a comic book style bright yellow. What do you reckon?

I also found it interesting that the new Roy wears number 14, as opposed to his traditional 9.

Roy Race, 1990s

I've done a fair few variations on the Melchester Rovers kits now, but this is the first one from the 1990s!

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It was nice to have a different kit to do.

This kit has the distinction of being one of the first MRFC kits that I remember having a sponsor... and was also a Christmas present of mine in around about 2000!

Here's the picture I was sent to copy from:

This, and other Melchester Rovers kit pictures can be found on the excellent True Colours site.

RotR

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When I first started repainting, one of the kits ideas that I was keen on trying was doing some Roy of the Rovers figures.

Melchester had interesting and iconic kits, that gave me something a little different from the Leeds figures that I started off with.

I did 50s, 70s and 80s versions early in my repainting 'career'!

I actually painted this one ages ago, but found it in my photos folder on my laptop, and a quick check confirmed that I hadn't posted it on the blog yet!

It ended up selling on ebay!

If you'd like a Roy of the Rovers figure, or a figure for any other fictional team, get in contact!

Click here for my Twitter, and here for my facebook page!

Roy Race, 1980s... again

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A recent order request, from someone who saw my Roy of the Rovers repaints and wanted one for himself!

The differences between this one and my first 1980s Roy Race are the lack of a sponsor, and the yellow number (rather than black)

And, I would say, this is slightly neater! The 80s Roy Race for my own collection was my first ever attempt at stripes!

Roy Through the Ages

OK, so I've posted all of these pictures before, but here are all of my Melchester Rovers repaints together:

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I like this pic, as a way to look at the way the famous red and yellow kit, as well as the marvellous blonde locks progressed!

Roy Race 1950s/60s

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My last Melchester Rovers repaint, for the time being at least!

This one is based on the 1950s/60s kits which were largely similar, but sometimes had a badge, and sometimes didn't.

I purposely made the 9 (which is hand-painted- no decals) big and square, as was the style for Melchester in this era!

The original figure, with suitably immaculate side parting, was Martin Peters.

Roy Race 1980s

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My second Roy of the Rovers!

This time, I used Warren Barton to capture Roy's beautifully coiffed centre parting.

Rovers wore red and yellow hoops for much of the 1980s. According to Wiki, the Gola sponsor appeared in 1981, but was gone the subsequent year.

Roy Race 1970s

In case any of you are unsure, Roy Race is also known as Roy of the Rovers! Here he is:

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Coming up with this idea was the first time I ever thought: Barry Venison's hair is just what I need! Tho Venison's hair is blonde, I decided to paint Roy's with a bright, gloss yellow to give it more of a comic book feel.

Tho it's hard to see on the photos, I have included the stripe down the socks! 

The numbers, both on the sleeve and the back are hand-painted, and not done with transfer paper.