Bob Roberts (footballer born 1863)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Roberts was a Welsh footballer who played at full back for Wrexham in the 1880s and 1890s. He made two appearances for Wales
, one as an emergency goalkeeper.
and, on leaving school, obtained employment at Bersham
colliery, and played football for the local Rhostyllen
village side.
Described as a "hard-working player and a sound defender", Roberts was one of the first signings made by Wrexham Olympic after that club's formation. He took part in a North v South trial match in 1886 which led to his selection for the match against Ireland on 27 February, helping his country to a 5–0 victory. Despite this result, Alfred Davies was preferred for the matches against England
and Scotland
.
Roberts' second international appearance came the following February when he was called in as an emergency goalkeeper in the absence of Robert Mills-Roberts
, who had temporarily "retired" from football following injuries to both wrists shortly before the preceding international against England, in which he conceded four goals. Roberts also conceded four goals against the Irish and his international career was over, with Davies being recalled at right-back for the next international. James Trainer
subsequently took over as the Wales national team goalkeeper, a position he retained for the next twelve years.
In 1888, Wrexham Olympic was disbanded and Roberts joined Wrexham. With his ability to "kick and head the ball well", Roberts became the Wrexham captain, a position he retained until his retirement from football in 1892. In 1891, he captained his team to the final of the Welsh Cup
, losing 5–2 to Shrewsbury Town
.
He was also a keen member of the Territorial Army.
also played for Wrexham and played four times for Wales, scoring once, against Ireland on 27 February 1886.
His brother-in-law, John Price Davies, played for Druids
and made two appearances for Wales in 1883.
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, one as an emergency goalkeeper.
Playing career
Roberts was born at WrexhamWrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
and, on leaving school, obtained employment at Bersham
Bersham
Bersham is a small Welsh village in the suburbs of the county borough of Wrexham that lies next to the River Clywedog. Wrexham owes a large amount of its original industrial heritage to Bersham, but despite this the village still retains a rural feeling....
colliery, and played football for the local Rhostyllen
Rhostyllen
Rhostyllen is a village in Wrexham county borough in Wales, south-west of the town of Wrexham. At the time of the 2001 census, area Wrexham 014A, which includes Rhostyllen itself, had a population of 1,383 in 599 households...
village side.
Described as a "hard-working player and a sound defender", Roberts was one of the first signings made by Wrexham Olympic after that club's formation. He took part in a North v South trial match in 1886 which led to his selection for the match against Ireland on 27 February, helping his country to a 5–0 victory. Despite this result, Alfred Davies was preferred for the matches against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Roberts' second international appearance came the following February when he was called in as an emergency goalkeeper in the absence of Robert Mills-Roberts
Robert Mills-Roberts
Dr. Robert Herbert Mills-Roberts was a leading football player in the 1880s. He was a Welsh International, and was a player in the Preston North End side which became known as "The Invincibles"....
, who had temporarily "retired" from football following injuries to both wrists shortly before the preceding international against England, in which he conceded four goals. Roberts also conceded four goals against the Irish and his international career was over, with Davies being recalled at right-back for the next international. James Trainer
James Trainer
James Trainer was a Welsh association football player of the Victorian era...
subsequently took over as the Wales national team goalkeeper, a position he retained for the next twelve years.
In 1888, Wrexham Olympic was disbanded and Roberts joined Wrexham. With his ability to "kick and head the ball well", Roberts became the Wrexham captain, a position he retained until his retirement from football in 1892. In 1891, he captained his team to the final of the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
, losing 5–2 to Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
.
Later career
Following his retirement as a player, Roberts continued to serve Wrexham as a trainer for several years.He was also a keen member of the Territorial Army.
Family
His brother, BillBill Roberts (footballer born 1859)
William "Bill" Roberts was a Welsh footballer who played as a forward for Wrexham and Wrexham Olympic in the 1880s and made four appearances for Wales, scoring once...
also played for Wrexham and played four times for Wales, scoring once, against Ireland on 27 February 1886.
His brother-in-law, John Price Davies, played for Druids
Druids F.C.
Ruabon Druids F.C. were a football club based in village of Ruabon near Wrexham. The club was founded in 1869 as Plasmadoc F.C. by David Thomson and his brother, George, of Ruabon...
and made two appearances for Wales in 1883.