Is the sleeping giant ready to wake up?

ROVERS are 'a sleeping giant', according to Martyn Dorey. Critics might argue that they have been 'catching some Zs' regularly since they first entered the Priaulx League in the early 70s.

The club have never won a major senior first-team trophy - but with a five-year master plan by coach Dorey and assistant Gary Stevenson already into its second year, they are aiming to turn around the club's fortunes.

Some supporters believe with the plethora of summer signings, the club have made their first real steps in coming out of the doldrums and the next few years could prove fruitful.

Spirits have never been higher at Port Soif since the days when the talented Shaun Rouse, Grant Chalmers, Lee Luscombe et al were gracing their turf.

And they can only dream of topping the Priaulx table again - as they most recently did briefly on Saturday 11 September 1999 when four goals from Shaun Kelling helped them beat Rangers 5-0.

Progress will be judged on moving up the league ladder.

'Once this club takes off, we will be a real force for a long time,' predicted Dorey.

'The future is looking good and anybody connected with Rovers should get a real buzz about what could be happening in the next few seasons.'

The service to the front lads, Ryan Tippett, Carl Wallbridge, Dale Webb and David Darlington, will be crucial to success.

'I would hope between them they will contribute a large amount of goals and a quantity that will get us into the middle of the table,' said Dorey.

Former Tranmere Rovers pro Tippett has headed back to Port Soif where his career kicked off.

'He has given everybody at the club a boost and the boys look up to and respect him and I'm hoping he can inspire the rest of the team,' the coach said.

The club's main priority is to be more competitive in every game and avoid the wooden spoon.

'Realistically what we are looking for is general all-round improvement, which will mean scoring more goals than last year, conceding fewer goals, getting more points and having a higher finishing position in the league. We would also like a couple of decent cup runs,' said Dorey.

'The real achievement will be if we gain a mid-table place. I think we have a realistic chance of getting off the bottom and the proof will be at the end of the season when we look at our points total.

'With the new signings, there is a real belief amongst the players that we will not be wooden-spoonists - the determination is there that they won't be.

'There is a real buzz and real spirit amongst everybody and we really can't wait for the first game to come around. Our big strength is our team spirit and the bonding of the lads together - it's almost like a family unit and is good to see.

'We have struggled in the past two or three years as we have lacked some real firepower up front which left the midfield and defence with a lot to cope with. This year we have forwards and midfielders who are capable of putting the ball away,' said Dorey.

Loyal servant Keith 'Beefy' Quertier will skipper the side.

'We are looking to him for the leadership which we know he gives us - the lads respect him and look up to him.'

Rovers also welcome back Barry Rowson from his studies and former county player Gez Overstall, 25, should provide added competition for a midfield berth.

'He is a very good player and the guys from last season have seen all the new signings come in and raised their game. Competi-tion is hot for places.'

Dorey believes the transfers of many of the island's top players to other clubs, including some of the so-called minnows, is good for the game.

'I don't think anybody wants a lop-sided Priaulx League where you get three or four top teams and the rest are making up the number. Every team can go into every game now thinking they can genuinely get a result,' he predicted.

Rovers beat Sunday Soccer League sides Indian Cottage 5-2 and OCS 3-2 on the Foote's Lane astroturf recently but lost to St Martin's

4-1 at the weekend.

The club travel to Jersey tomorrow to play Grouville's first and second teams before meeting Vale Rec midweek next week in their last friendly.

'Pre-season has gone very well and the players have responded to having the fresh faces there. There is now genuine competition for Priaulx places for the first time for a long time. Nobody is guaranteed a start and it will all be down to form,' said Dorey.

'We have a first-team squad of about 20 players compared to 13 last season. It has boosted the morale of everybody having the fresh faces and has given everybody a big left.'