The very first Rovers team to contest Priaulx League points pose before the kick-off against Rangers. The Brian Mercer coached side included three players judged to have been among the club’s all-time Best XI: Standing, left to right – Richard Goubert, Richard Ogier, Phil Corbet, Trevor Cooper, Steve Cowdrey, Paul Newton, Rod Tostevin, Richard Strappini (sub). Front – John Brehaut, Paul Rowe (sub), Dave Le Jean, Rob Batiste and Paul Chesney. (0715007)

IT’S a sad fact that Rovers have had little to cheer about in their first three-and-half decades in local football’s top flight.

Two Rawlinson Cup successes and a Stranger Cup final appearance is the sum and paltry total of their glory at senior level.

There have been times when outstanding youth sides has sparked talk of better days ahead and there have been three attempts at raising standards with the introduction of high-profile management – Colin Renouf and both Colin Fallaizes – but on each occasion the spark has soon been snuffed out.

It’s a great shame.

In terms of facilities, the club has come a long way since the early days of one main pitch in front of a corrugated hut acting as changing rooms and canteen, but try as they undoubtedly have, the positive results have been sporadic and there have been far too many wooden-spoon seasons.

In relative terms, Rovers are still the new boys at Priaulx level, but a 2-1 reverse at home to Rangers in their very first top-flight match in September 1974 seems to have set a subdued tone through nearly four decades.

That’s not to say the club has not enjoyed the benefits of some high-class players. It’s only that there have never been enough on the books at once to sustain a serious title bid.

Grant Chalmers, Kevin Le Tissier and Renouf are just three local greats to have pulled on the blue of Port Soif, but for Best XI purposes the illustrious trio are required elsewhere and the rule of this eight-week series is that no player can play for more than one club.