Tiger was launched by editor Derek Birnage in September 1953, with "Roy of the Rovers", created by writer Frank S. Pepper and artist Joe Colquhoun, on the cover. Young Roy Race was spotted by a scout from Melchester Rovers in the First Division, and as the series progressed, Roy progressed through the youth and reserve teams, until he made his first team debut, and scored twice, in August 1955. Pepper wrote the first four episodes, after which Colquhoun took over the writing duties, credited as Stewart Colwyn, and continued as writer-artist until February 1959, as Roy and Melchester went on to ever greater success, winning the League and FA Cup multiple times and getting picked for England.