Roy Massey

Grandson of former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper James Massey. Roy made few appearances in the Football League for Rotherham United, Colchester United and Leyton Orient. However this striker did once net a hat-trick against Reading whilst representing the U's.

MASSEY, Roy (Centre-Forward)
Born: 10 September 1943, Mexborough
1968: Height: 6ft 0in           Weight: 12st. 0lb

Career:
1964-67    Rotherham United            15 (1) + 6
1967-69    Leyton Orient                     67 (5) + 15
1969-70    Colchester                         35 (5) + 13
                   Clacton
                   Total:                                   117 (11) + 34

Roy Massey was a footballer who’s career didn’t last long compared to others; but his career was dampened by injury which forced him to retire from Professional Football at the age of just twenty-seven.

He was born in Mexborough, Rotherham on 10 September 1943 and is the grandson of former Sheffield Wednesday keeper James Massey.

Roy signed for his local team in July 1964 aged 20. Prior to that he spent some time in the capital were he was an amateur with Division One club Arsenal, but turned down a professional contract with the Highbury club to return to South Yorkshire.

He attended St. Paul’s College in Cheltenham at a young age and whilst there he represented Yorkshire Schools and was an England Youth International.

Upon returning to Yorkshire Massey completed his studies to become a schoolteacher before signing for Rotherham United. He made his Millers debut in a league match at Cardiff City on 24 April 1965 and rewarded manager Danny Williams with two goals against the Bluebirds despite their 3-2 defeat at Ninnian Park.

The following season was however a huge disappointment for Massey; making just one substitute appearance; he returned to the side on Boxing Day 1966 playing back-to-back fixtures against Coventry City which they lost 4-2 at Highfield Road but calved out a 1-1 draw at Millmoor a day later where he scored once in each game against the Sky Blues.

Following the games against City he would command the strikers role for the following four fixtures against; Northampton Town (H L1-2), Plymouth Argyle (A L0-1), Hull City (H D1-1) and at Portsmouth in a 3-2 defeat.

His stay at Millmoor lasted just three years whilst he only ever achieved fifth-teen league starts and one substitute appearances with just six goals to his name for the old Football League Division Two club.

Massey moved back down south to Leyton Orient were he enjoyed he most of football days; combing his playing career and teaching at Lake House Junior school in Leyton.

He set up a deadly strike force with Vic Halom and was the clubs top goal scorer for the 1967-68 seasons’ Division Three campaign, and netted a memorable header against Bury in the FA Cup to take the O’s into the fourth round.

However the following season he was plagued by injury were first team opportunities became limited and failed to recover his earlier vibrant form which impressed manager Dick Graham to take him to Brisbane Road.

He left the club after making 58 league appearances (as well as five as a substitute) and scoring thirteen goals in the process. He teamed up with former manager Dick Graham at Colchester United who bought Massey in a £5,000 transfer in July 1969.

It may also be unfortunate for Massey, who had he stayed at Leyton Orient would have celebrated promotion from Division Three a year later as Champions; piping Luton Town to top spot by just two points.  

His time at Layer Road was to prove unsuccessful; he netted eleven times in thirty Division Four games but he picked up a serious knee injury which forced his to leave the professional game entirely.

According to legend Massey is dubbed the unluckiest player to pull on a blue and white shirt; he got off to a thrilling start, netting eleven times in his first 13 games which included a hat-trick at Reading’s Elm Park in a League Cup replay.

However another injury occurred, breaking a bone in his foot and spent the following 18 months sidelined which encounter three operations before a specialist forced him to quit the game.

At the end if the 1971-72 seasons campaign he enjoyed a benefit match against local rivals Ipswich Town in his honour.

After being forced to turn his back on the Football League he moved to the Eastern Counties League with Clacton and was manager with Tiptree United.

Later on in his years he returned to Layer Road as Youth Development Officer and was also a PE master at Thomas Audley’s School. He later returned to Arsenal Football Club to coach their Under 16’s youth side at their Hale End Academy.

Edited: 1 May 2007

See also: Reading 0-3 Colchester United (report)