The RoPS Herald
The dugout17 Apr 2028
Juuso Polvi says RoPS went back on their word
“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.
Squad17 Apr 2028
A muscle injury and 15 days out for Srdjan Šotra
The most common injury in the game and the most rushed back from. RoPS will quote 15 days and will be careful with it, because the second one is always worse than the first.
Boardroom17 Apr 2028
5 academy graduates step up at RoPS
Senior shirt numbers handed to boys the coaches have known since they were twelve. Most will not make it and all of them have already done the hard part.
The terraces17 Apr 2028
RoPS supporters have found a favourite in Danila Bulgakov
There is a particular warmth a ground reserves for a 23-year-old it feels ownership of. Danila Bulgakov has it now, and everything he does for the rest of his time here will be measured against the goodwill he was handed for free.
Match15 Apr 2028
At last: RoPS win one
5 matches without a win, and then this, against Ilves. Relief is a strange noise in a football ground and it was the only noise at the end.
Market17 Apr 2028
Mikael Lod steps up from the RoPS academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Mikael Lod has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market17 Apr 2028
One of our own: Joel Hamalainen joins the RoPS first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Joel Hamalainen is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Market17 Apr 2028
Mikael Valakari steps up from the RoPS academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Mikael Valakari has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market17 Apr 2028
RoPS promote Daniel Hakola from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Daniel Hakola has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
In brief
- Match RoPS see off Ilves
- Player ratings Adam Mekki was unplayable
- Player ratings Nobody on the pitch touched Danila Bulgakov