Dennis Rofe
Encyclopedia
Dennis Rofe, born Epping
1 June 1950, is a former professional football
player, who spent most of his playing career with Leicester City
before spending many years in various coaching capacities at Southampton.
Secondary School, together with Terry Brisley
, who was later to play alongside him at Orient. He also represented East London Schools.
who he joined originally as an associate schoolboy in March 1964, turning professional in February 1968.
He was a fast, tough-tackling left-back who starred in Orient's 1969-70 Third Division title triumph. He was ever-present in 1970-71 and a key figure in Orient's 1971-72 FA Cup
run. He netted six goals in 172 League appearances for Orient before following Jimmy Bloomfield
to Leicester City for £112,000 in August 1972, which made him the most expensive full-back in British football.
had been sold to Derby
for a record fee of £250,000. Rofe was an attacking full back with great pace and he made an instant impact in the City team. He remained faithful to City after Bloomfield left the club in 1977, but was surprisingly sold to Second Division Chelsea
, in February 1980, shortly before Leicester won promotion back to the First Division.
Rofe made his England U.23 debut as a City player in 1973. In his 8 seasons at Leicester he played 290 league games for the club and scored 6 goals.
In July 1982, Lawrie McMenemy
signed him on a free transfer for First Division Southampton
, where he played out the last 2 years of his playing career.
, initially as reserve team coach, moving up to first team coach in 1987.
, firstly as caretaker manager, taking the position permanently in October 1991. Rovers finished the 1991-92 season in 13th position in Division 2. In November 1992, Rofe resigned.
He then moved briefly to Stoke City as reserve team manager before returning to Southampton as Youth team coach. This position lasted until July 1997 when he moved on to Fulham
as a coach, before a brief spell coaching for Kingstonian
.
, but soon moved up to reserve team coach and then in March 2001, to first team coach, under Stuart Gray
.
He served as first team coach and assistant manager as Southampton had a rapid turnover of managers. His greatest moment as a Southampton coach was when the Saints reached the 2003 F.A. Cup final
under Gordon Strachan
, losing 1-0 to Arsenal
.
As assistant manager at Southampton, he had a fiery reputation. On 10 January 2002, he had to be separated from Liverpool
acting manager Phil Thompson
by the fourth official in a touchline bust-up over a bad tackle on Brett Ormerod
.
On 8 May 2004, Rofe was ordered from the technical area after protesting over the award of a penalty to Aston Villa
.
Most infamous was probably the row with Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness
on 25 October 2003 following an unseemly brawl in which Andy Cole
was sent off. Souness accused Rofe of trying to influence the officials, although he later had to accept that the sending off was justified.
In December 2005, following the appointment of George Burley
as manager, Rofe was dismissed along with most of the coaching staff at St. Mary's.
, and spent the summer of 2006 working in the Bahamas alongside Luther Blissett
at the annual Premier League Soccer Camp.
He is also working as the Football League
's regional youth development officer.
Epping
Epping is a small market town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of the County of Essex, England. It is located north-east of Loughton, south of Harlow and north-west of Brentwood....
1 June 1950, is a former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player, who spent most of his playing career with Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
before spending many years in various coaching capacities at Southampton.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
Early days
He attended WhitechapelWhitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
Secondary School, together with Terry Brisley
Terry Brisley
Terence William Brisley , is an English footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League.-References:-External links:*...
, who was later to play alongside him at Orient. He also represented East London Schools.
Leyton Orient
He started his career at Leyton OrientLeyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
who he joined originally as an associate schoolboy in March 1964, turning professional in February 1968.
He was a fast, tough-tackling left-back who starred in Orient's 1969-70 Third Division title triumph. He was ever-present in 1970-71 and a key figure in Orient's 1971-72 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
run. He netted six goals in 172 League appearances for Orient before following Jimmy Bloomfield
Jimmy Bloomfield
James Henry "Jimmy" Bloomfield was an English football player and manager.Born in Notting Hill, North Kensington, London, Bloomfield started his career at non-league Hayes before joining Second Division side Brentford in October 1952...
to Leicester City for £112,000 in August 1972, which made him the most expensive full-back in British football.
Leicester City
Rofe was signed by Bloomfield to fill the left back position after David NishDavid Nish
David John Nish was an English former footballer who broke the then British transfer record in 1972 by paying £225,000 for his signature.-Club:...
had been sold to Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
for a record fee of £250,000. Rofe was an attacking full back with great pace and he made an instant impact in the City team. He remained faithful to City after Bloomfield left the club in 1977, but was surprisingly sold to Second Division Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, in February 1980, shortly before Leicester won promotion back to the First Division.
Rofe made his England U.23 debut as a City player in 1973. In his 8 seasons at Leicester he played 290 league games for the club and scored 6 goals.
Chelsea and Southampton
Rofe then spent 3 seasons at Chelsea as they drifted in Division 2, including a period as team captain.In July 1982, Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
signed him on a free transfer for First Division Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, where he played out the last 2 years of his playing career.
Southampton
In 1984, he joined Southampton’s coaching staff under manager Chris NichollChris Nicholl
Christopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
, initially as reserve team coach, moving up to first team coach in 1987.
Bristol Rovers
He joined Bristol Rovers as a coach in July 1991. Shortly after joining Rovers, he replaced Martin DobsonMartin Dobson
Martin Dobson, popularly known as "Sir Dobbo", was born on 14 February 1948 in Rishton, England. He is a former professional footballer and England international who played as a midfielder....
, firstly as caretaker manager, taking the position permanently in October 1991. Rovers finished the 1991-92 season in 13th position in Division 2. In November 1992, Rofe resigned.
He then moved briefly to Stoke City as reserve team manager before returning to Southampton as Youth team coach. This position lasted until July 1997 when he moved on to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
as a coach, before a brief spell coaching for Kingstonian
Kingstonian F.C.
Kingstonian Football Club are an English, semi-professional football club that are playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division for the 2011–12 season. The club has played at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames since 1989, after leaving their traditional Richmond Road ground...
.
Southampton (again)
In April 1998, he returned to Southampton as coach of their AcademySouthampton F.C. Academy
Southampton Football Club Academy or Saints Academy is the youth organisation run by Southampton Football Club to encourage and develop young footballers in the South of England...
, but soon moved up to reserve team coach and then in March 2001, to first team coach, under Stuart Gray
Stuart Gray (footballer born 1960)
Stuart Gray is an English former footballer and manager, who is the former manager of Football League Two side Northampton Town. On 30th December 2010 he was appointed the caretaker manager of Burnley following the sacking of Brian Laws, reverting to his role as first team coach when Eddie Howe...
.
He served as first team coach and assistant manager as Southampton had a rapid turnover of managers. His greatest moment as a Southampton coach was when the Saints reached the 2003 F.A. Cup final
FA Cup Final 2003
The 2003 FA Cup Final saw the holders Arsenal, beat Southampton. The match took place on Saturday, 17 May 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and ended 1–0 with a 38th minute goal by Robert Pirès separating the sides....
under Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
, losing 1-0 to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
As assistant manager at Southampton, he had a fiery reputation. On 10 January 2002, he had to be separated from Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
acting manager Phil Thompson
Phil Thompson
Philip Bernard Thompson is a retired English footballer, who played as a defender for Liverpool team of the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, he also represented the England national football team on 42 occasions...
by the fourth official in a touchline bust-up over a bad tackle on Brett Ormerod
Brett Ormerod
Brett Ryan Ormerod is an English professional football player who plays as a forward for Blackpool. He is the only player to have scored in all four divisions for the club.-Early career: Accrington Stanley and Blackpool:...
.
On 8 May 2004, Rofe was ordered from the technical area after protesting over the award of a penalty to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
.
Most infamous was probably the row with Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
on 25 October 2003 following an unseemly brawl in which Andy Cole
Andy Cole
Andrew Alexander Cole is a retired English footballer. He is most well known by the name Andy Cole , but in 2000, he reputedly asked to be known as Andrew Cole...
was sent off. Souness accused Rofe of trying to influence the officials, although he later had to accept that the sending off was justified.
In December 2005, following the appointment of George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
as manager, Rofe was dismissed along with most of the coaching staff at St. Mary's.
St Mary's Stadium
St Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C., in the city of Southampton. It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London.-History:...
Since 2005
Since leaving The Saints, Rofe has been engaged as a match summariser on BBC Radio 5BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
, and spent the summer of 2006 working in the Bahamas alongside Luther Blissett
Luther Blissett (footballer)
Luther Loide Blissett is a former professional footballer and manager, who is currently a first-team coach at Hemel Hempstead Town. Blissett played as a striker, and is best known for his time at Watford, whom he helped win promotion from the Fourth Division to the First Division...
at the annual Premier League Soccer Camp.
He is also working as the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
's regional youth development officer.