http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/07/01/hero-roose-remembered
Hero Roose Remembered
@Everton01 July 2016 14:39
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Today, 1 July, marks 100 years since the first day of the Battle of the Somme - a First World War campaign that raged on until 18 November 1916. A reported 1.5 million lives were lost in that time, including that of one of the most remarkable and game-changing characters in football’s rich history...
On its own, the name
Leigh Roose is easily missed among the thousands listed on the Theipval Memorial in northern France.
In fact, it is spelt wrong. On it, he is ‘Rouse’.
It is a gross injustice for a man and footballer steeped in history. Roose, a former goalkeeper, was a maverick, a rebel, a trailblazer.... and a hero.
In an era when goalkeepers could bounce the ball out all the way to the halfway line but were too frightened by big powerful forwards, Roose bucked the trend.
Physically imposing, he would fight fire with fire, clattering opponents to the floor before launching another attack.
When he wasn’t called into action, he would be joking with supporters, swinging from the bar or performing gymnastics.
Off the pitch, he was famous for his equally astounding brashness – he once hired a train to carry him, and only him, from Euston in London to play an away game for Stoke City at Aston Villa.
It was his blasé character that endeared him to Evertonians soon after his arrival in 1904. Roose, a Wales international, had already retired at the age of 26 but decided to accept the Blues’ invitation to play as cover for the injured Bill Scott, with understudy
George Kitchensuffering with flu. In his first game, his error handed Sunderland the winner in a 1-0 loss.
His response? Spending 15 minutes shaking supporters’ hands and apologising for his mistake prior to the next game against Derby County. He then produced an outstanding display, pulling off a number of exceptional saves and bowing to the fans after each one.
The Everton faithful were smitten.
Going forward, Roose was the catalyst that turned the Toffees from mid-table mediocrity to the brink of an incredible league and FA Cup double.
But it was not to be. Aston Villa dashed cup hopes in the semi-finals, and Roose fell out spectacularly with chairman Will Cuff after the team played Manchester City then Arsenal 24 hours later in April (the original November fixture against the Gunners had been abandoned because of fog).
Roose was immediately dropped, with Scott recalled to the side, and his Blues career was finished 24 games after it started.
But that is just half the Roose story. Why is his name, albeit misspelt, on the Theipval Memorial? Promoted to the rank of lance corporal, Roose was tragically killed, aged 38, towards the end of the Battle of the Somme. The exact location and manner of his death remain a matter of dispute.
What cannot be contested is his bravery. His regimental history cites: "Private
Leigh Roose, who had never visited the trenches before, was in the sap when the flammenwerfer attack began. He managed to get back along the trench and, though nearly choked with fumes with his clothes burnt, refused to go to the dressing station. He continued to throw bombs until his arm gave out, and then, joining the covering party, used his rifle with great effect."
It was an action for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Roose, for all of his outlandish antics, was unquestionably a hero.
