Iwan Roberts
Encyclopedia
Iwan Wyn Roberts is a Welsh
former professional footballer who played as a striker
for a number of English league clubs. The most notable period of his club career was with Norwich City
. Local Norwich
football newspaper The Pink'un
described him as "one of the greatest goal scorers ever to pull on a Norwich City shirt."
He also played international football, representing Wales
, winning 15 caps
without scoring.
.
He began his professional career at Watford
, when he joined as a trainee in 1985, signing his first professional contract in July 1986, shortly after his 18th birthday.
manager, Glenn Roeder
. Roberts remembers Roeder as "an absolute gentleman... I can't speak highly enough of him. He helped me a great deal with his experience and any problems that the young lads had they knew he would help them with." He scored 9 goals in 63 games for the Hornets before moving to Huddersfield Town
prior to the start of the 1990–91 season
.
.
at Filbert Street
in April 1994, and is still to this day the subject of a popular chant amongst Leicester City fans.
to sign him in the summer of 1996. He spent only one season at Molineux
and confirmed in his 2004 autobiography that he did not enjoy his time there and does not have any fondness for the club, due largely to the mentality of many Wolves supporters. He did, however, score a hat-trick
for the club in a match against their bitter local rivals West Bromwich Albion
and, overall, scored 12 goals in 33 games.
Roberts was called up to represent his country against Holland
in May 1992.
manager Mike Walker paid £850,000 to Wolves to secure the services of Roberts. Roberts spent seven years at Carrow Road
and they were undoubtedly the best seven years of his career. By the time he was released by Norwich in the summer of 2004 he had acquired legendary status amongst City supporters; he "is hero-worshipped when he walks the streets of the city".
His time at the club did not begin happily, however. Following his debut in August 1997, he struggled throughout the 1997–98 season
and scored just 7 goals; "there were certainly those in the stands who were questioning whether he was worth the near £1,000,000 splashed out on him".
"He played eight games in Division One before finally breaking his league duck... He then played another eight matches before his next goal but, gradually, his fitness levels began to improve." He'd scored just four goals in most of a season. However, "three goals in the final two home games of the season left in good heart for the next campaign".
Walker left the club shortly before the end of the season and was replaced during the summer by Bruce Rioch
.
"Walker had left by time the 1998–99 season got under way but his decision to spend big money on Roberts was quickly vindicated as the powerful frontman netted 23 goals in partnership with the flourishing talent of Craig Bellamy who weighed with 19 to earn Bruce Rioch’s side a place in the top half of the table."
Roberts worked hard on his fitness and the following season saw him finish as the club's top goalscorer with 23 goals in 51 games. Norwich fans voted him player of the season
. In the 1999–00 season he was again top scorer (19 goals in 49 games) and retained the player of the season award. He just missed out on becoming the first player in the club's history to win the award 3 years in a row when Andy Marshall
finished narrowly ahead of him in the voting for the 2000–01 season
.
During that 1999–2000 campaign there was speculation about Roberts's future as his contract was due to expire in the summer of 2000. Shortly after he signed a contract extension in January of that season, Bruce Rioch left the club and was succeeded by Bryan Hamilton
. Roberts helped Hamilton make a good start when he scored both goals in a 2–0 win at Portman Road
against City's rivals Ipswich Town F.C.
on 19 March 2000. However, Roberts and Hamilton did not have a good relationship during the Ulsterman's short spell in charge and after Hamilton left the club during the 2000–01 season
, Roberts intimated that if he had known that Hamilton was going to succeed Rioch then he would not have signed his contract extension.
Although Roberts was personally enjoying the most productive spell of his career, his four years so far at Carrow Road had seen the club struggle. They had barely threatened to qualify for the end of season play-offs and in the 2000–01 campaign had struggled against relegation from Division One. The 2001–02 season
- with new manager Nigel Worthington
in his first full season in charge - saw the team fare better and they reached the division one play-off final at Cardiff
's Millennium Stadium
. Roberts missed much of the second half of the season because of injury, but came off the substitute's bench in the final to give Norwich the lead in the first minute of extra-time with a clinically-taken headed goal. Norwich lost the match in a penalty shoot-out after Birmingham had equalised. Roberts took - and scored - the first penalty of the shoot-out but misses by Phil Mulryne
and Daryl Sutch
proved costly as Birmingham were promoted to the Premiership.
During the 2002–03 season
, Roberts captained the Norwich City team. That season, in a match against Sheffield Wednesday
at Carrow Road, Roberts scored twice to move into third place on the list of Norwich City's all-time leading goalscorers, overtaking Robert Fleck
in the process. The season overall, however, was not a happy one for Roberts or Norwich. The Canaries faded after a good start to the season and failed to qualify for the play-offs, while Roberts scored just 7 goals in 47 games leading many supporters to believe that his best days were behind him. The 2003–04 season would be his last at Carrow Road and although he was no longer an automatic selection for the first team he played an important part in one of the club's best-ever seasons. The team won the division one championship in style and were promoted to the premiership. Roberts weighed in with some crucial goals, including the winning goal in a top-of-the-table match against Sheffield United
. Roberts revealed in his autobiography that in February of that season he had a cancer scare and had to have a malignant
melanoma
removed from his arm.
A few days before the club's last home match of that 2003–04 season
, Norwich manager Nigel Worthington announced that Roberts would not be offered a new contract when his deal expired that summer. Worthington felt that, following promotion to the Premiership, the club had to look to the future and that Roberts was now surplus to requirements. The Norwich supporters gave him a rapturous reception at his last match for the club at Carrow Road and during the post-match promotion celebrations Roberts wore a T-shirt that bore the legend 'Thanks for 7 great years'. With the championship already won, Worthington restored Roberts to the starting line-up for the last game of the season at Gresty Road against Crewe Alexandra
and made him captain for the day. Roberts scored twice as City won 3–1. The first of his goals that day is rated by many Norwich fans as one of the best that he ever scored for the club. Overall, he scored 96 goals in 306 games for Norwich. "Iwan Roberts scored two goals, one of them an absolute corker, to bring the curtain down on a wonderful career in highly appropriate fashion."
In 2002, Roberts was made an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame. In 2007, Roberts came third in a vote run by the Norwich Evening News to determine which Norwich legend would be inaugurated into the Professional Footballers' Association
Centenary Hall of Fame.
where he would be player/coach. It did not prove a good move for Roberts and he had a number of disgreements with the club, particularly after Stan Ternent
had succeeded Andy Hessenthaler
as manager. In December 2004 Roberts had himself served as joint caretaker manager, along with Darren Hare
and Paul Smith
, after the sudden departure of both Hessenthaler and initial caretaker John Gorman
. In March 2005 he joined Cambridge United
on loan until the end of the season. Cambridge were relegated from League Two. In August 2005, Roberts retired from playing after reaching an agreement with Gillingham to pay the final year of his contract.
, an incident that had taken place in 2000. Roberts stated in the book that the stamp was a payback for the injury that Muscat had inflicted on Craig Bellamy
while Bellamy and Roberts were playing together for Norwich.
The suspension "left “a bitter taste” for Iwan - especially after England captain David Beckham
escaped without a punishment for his deliberate foul in the World Cup qualifier against Wales." The Football Association
said there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Beckham with bringing the game into disrepute. This was "despite his admission in The Daily Telegraph and subsequent apology." At the time, Roberts told The Daily Telegraph
, "I do not want players to get suspensions and fines, but there must be consistency, regardless of who the player is."
A coaching licence and currently works for BBC Wales, but has not ruled out getting into management. He told the Eastern Daily Press
, "I've done my qualifications. It's just getting a club to give me a chance and taking it."
When Norwich sacked manager Nigel Worthington
, Roberts applied for the manager's job. "I tried to go for it... knowing I wasn't going to get it but I'd never really been for an interview and I thought if I did it would stand me in good stead. But I never got a response from the club and that really disappointed me. A week after Peter Grant got the job I got a letter through the post saying 'We won't be considering you this time'. And I thought 'I've known that for the past seven days'."
He does media work, including Welsh language commentary for Sky Sports
and Radio Cymru. He speaks fluent Welsh and also works for BBC Wales. Roberts has three children, two being twins (b. 24 September 1995). Among his charity work has been a connection with Norwich anti-drugs cause the Matthew Project, which him and his best friend Ross Kent run together.
(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)
(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)
(Brackets indicate substitute appearances)
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
former professional footballer who played as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for a number of English league clubs. The most notable period of his club career was with Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. Local Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
football newspaper The Pink'un
The Pink'un
The Pink'un was a weekly, paid-for newspaper and website, that focused on Norwich City football club and also non-league football in Norfolk, England...
described him as "one of the greatest goal scorers ever to pull on a Norwich City shirt."
He also played international football, representing Wales
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...
, winning 15 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
without scoring.
Early life
Roberts grew up in Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd and played schoolboy football for his school and local side Caernarfon TownCaernarfon Town F.C.
Caernarfon Town F.C. is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance. The club ia nicknamed The Canaries because of its yellow and green strip. Caernarfon Town plays at The Oval, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.-History:...
.
He began his professional career at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, when he joined as a trainee in 1985, signing his first professional contract in July 1986, shortly after his 18th birthday.
Watford
One of his contemporaries at Watford was future NorwichNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
manager, Glenn Roeder
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
. Roberts remembers Roeder as "an absolute gentleman... I can't speak highly enough of him. He helped me a great deal with his experience and any problems that the young lads had they knew he would help them with." He scored 9 goals in 63 games for the Hornets before moving to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
prior to the start of the 1990–91 season
1990-91 in English football
The 1990–91 season was the 111th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Arsenal won the league. Runners-up spot was achieved by Liverpool, who had led the table for much of the first half of the season but had been shell-shocked in February by the sudden resignation of manager...
.
Huddersfield Town
His form for Huddersfield - where he scored 50 goals in 142 games - got him noticed by other clubs and in November 1993 he was signed by Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
.
Leicester City
Roberts scored 41 goals in 100 league games for Leicester and was part of the team that won promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs at the end of the 1993-94 and 1995-96 seasons. He is well remembered for his hat-trick against Leicester's arch rivals Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
at Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
in April 1994, and is still to this day the subject of a popular chant amongst Leicester City fans.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
His goals and performances for Leicester persuaded WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
to sign him in the summer of 1996. He spent only one season at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
and confirmed in his 2004 autobiography that he did not enjoy his time there and does not have any fondness for the club, due largely to the mentality of many Wolves supporters. He did, however, score a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for the club in a match against their bitter local rivals West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and, overall, scored 12 goals in 33 games.
Roberts was called up to represent his country against Holland
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in May 1992.
Norwich City
In July 1997, Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
manager Mike Walker paid £850,000 to Wolves to secure the services of Roberts. Roberts spent seven years at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
and they were undoubtedly the best seven years of his career. By the time he was released by Norwich in the summer of 2004 he had acquired legendary status amongst City supporters; he "is hero-worshipped when he walks the streets of the city".
His time at the club did not begin happily, however. Following his debut in August 1997, he struggled throughout the 1997–98 season
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
and scored just 7 goals; "there were certainly those in the stands who were questioning whether he was worth the near £1,000,000 splashed out on him".
"He played eight games in Division One before finally breaking his league duck... He then played another eight matches before his next goal but, gradually, his fitness levels began to improve." He'd scored just four goals in most of a season. However, "three goals in the final two home games of the season left in good heart for the next campaign".
Walker left the club shortly before the end of the season and was replaced during the summer by Bruce Rioch
Bruce Rioch
Bruce David Rioch is an English-born football manager and former player. He was manager of Aalborg BK in the Danish Superliga, until his sacking on 23 October 2008....
.
"Walker had left by time the 1998–99 season got under way but his decision to spend big money on Roberts was quickly vindicated as the powerful frontman netted 23 goals in partnership with the flourishing talent of Craig Bellamy who weighed with 19 to earn Bruce Rioch’s side a place in the top half of the table."
Roberts worked hard on his fitness and the following season saw him finish as the club's top goalscorer with 23 goals in 51 games. Norwich fans voted him player of the season
Norwich City player of the year
The Norwich City player of the year award is voted for annually by Norwich City's supporters, in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season...
. In the 1999–00 season he was again top scorer (19 goals in 49 games) and retained the player of the season award. He just missed out on becoming the first player in the club's history to win the award 3 years in a row when Andy Marshall
Andy Marshall
Andrew "Andy" Marshall Andrew "Andy" Marshall Andrew "Andy" Marshall (born 14 April 1975 in Bury St Edmunds, is an English professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper in the Premier League for Aston Villa...
finished narrowly ahead of him in the voting for the 2000–01 season
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
.
During that 1999–2000 campaign there was speculation about Roberts's future as his contract was due to expire in the summer of 2000. Shortly after he signed a contract extension in January of that season, Bruce Rioch left the club and was succeeded by Bryan Hamilton
Bryan Hamilton
Bryan Hamilton is a Northern Irish former professional football player and manager. He gained 50 caps for Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1980, and later managed the national team for four years. He is currently Technical Director at Antigua Barracuda F.C.-Playing career:Born in Belfast,...
. Roberts helped Hamilton make a good start when he scored both goals in a 2–0 win at Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
against City's rivals Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on 19 March 2000. However, Roberts and Hamilton did not have a good relationship during the Ulsterman's short spell in charge and after Hamilton left the club during the 2000–01 season
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
, Roberts intimated that if he had known that Hamilton was going to succeed Rioch then he would not have signed his contract extension.
Although Roberts was personally enjoying the most productive spell of his career, his four years so far at Carrow Road had seen the club struggle. They had barely threatened to qualify for the end of season play-offs and in the 2000–01 campaign had struggled against relegation from Division One. The 2001–02 season
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
- with new manager Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and manager.He was manager of the Northern Ireland national team from 2007 until after their final Euro 2012 qualifying campaign match against Italy in October 2011.As a player, he was a left full back and occasional left...
in his first full season in charge - saw the team fare better and they reached the division one play-off final at Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
's Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
. Roberts missed much of the second half of the season because of injury, but came off the substitute's bench in the final to give Norwich the lead in the first minute of extra-time with a clinically-taken headed goal. Norwich lost the match in a penalty shoot-out after Birmingham had equalised. Roberts took - and scored - the first penalty of the shoot-out but misses by Phil Mulryne
Phillip Mulryne
Philip Patrick Stephen Mulryne is a Northern Irish footballer who most recently played for King's Lynn.-Career:...
and Daryl Sutch
Daryl Sutch
Daryl Sutch is a former professional footballer who spent the majority of his career with Norwich City.He came through the youth system at Norwich and made his first team debut in October 1990 at Carrow Road in a League Cup match against Watford...
proved costly as Birmingham were promoted to the Premiership.
During the 2002–03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
, Roberts captained the Norwich City team. That season, in a match against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
at Carrow Road, Roberts scored twice to move into third place on the list of Norwich City's all-time leading goalscorers, overtaking Robert Fleck
Robert Fleck (footballer)
Robert William Fleck is a former professional footballer. He was a striker who began his career with Rangers.Despite not being a first team regular, he scored many important goals for the club under Graeme Souness....
in the process. The season overall, however, was not a happy one for Roberts or Norwich. The Canaries faded after a good start to the season and failed to qualify for the play-offs, while Roberts scored just 7 goals in 47 games leading many supporters to believe that his best days were behind him. The 2003–04 season would be his last at Carrow Road and although he was no longer an automatic selection for the first team he played an important part in one of the club's best-ever seasons. The team won the division one championship in style and were promoted to the premiership. Roberts weighed in with some crucial goals, including the winning goal in a top-of-the-table match against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. Roberts revealed in his autobiography that in February of that season he had a cancer scare and had to have a malignant
Malignant
Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. Malignancy in cancers is characterized by anaplasia, invasiveness, and metastasis...
melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
removed from his arm.
A few days before the club's last home match of that 2003–04 season
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
, Norwich manager Nigel Worthington announced that Roberts would not be offered a new contract when his deal expired that summer. Worthington felt that, following promotion to the Premiership, the club had to look to the future and that Roberts was now surplus to requirements. The Norwich supporters gave him a rapturous reception at his last match for the club at Carrow Road and during the post-match promotion celebrations Roberts wore a T-shirt that bore the legend 'Thanks for 7 great years'. With the championship already won, Worthington restored Roberts to the starting line-up for the last game of the season at Gresty Road against Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
and made him captain for the day. Roberts scored twice as City won 3–1. The first of his goals that day is rated by many Norwich fans as one of the best that he ever scored for the club. Overall, he scored 96 goals in 306 games for Norwich. "Iwan Roberts scored two goals, one of them an absolute corker, to bring the curtain down on a wonderful career in highly appropriate fashion."
In 2002, Roberts was made an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame. In 2007, Roberts came third in a vote run by the Norwich Evening News to determine which Norwich legend would be inaugurated into the Professional Footballers' Association
Professional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
Centenary Hall of Fame.
Gillingham and Cambridge United
After being released by Norwich he joined Gillingham, there was much speculation regarding his next career move. He received a number of offers but eventually signed a two year contract with GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
where he would be player/coach. It did not prove a good move for Roberts and he had a number of disgreements with the club, particularly after Stan Ternent
Stan Ternent
Francis Stanley "Stan" Ternent is an English former footballer and manager. He managed Blackpool, Hull City, Bury, Burnley, Gillingham and Huddersfield Town. He is currently a scout for Sunderland.-Career:...
had succeeded Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Andrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
as manager. In December 2004 Roberts had himself served as joint caretaker manager, along with Darren Hare
Darren Hare
Darren Hare is an English former footballer turned coach, currently working as youth team manager at Gillingham F.C.Born in Canterbury, he began his career playing for the youth teams of Dover and Gillingham and went on to play for a number of Kent-based non-league teams, including Canterbury...
and Paul Smith
Paul Smith (footballer born 1971)
Paul William Smith is an English professional footballer.Smith was born in East Ham, London and began his career as a trainee with Southend United, turning professional in 1990...
, after the sudden departure of both Hessenthaler and initial caretaker John Gorman
John Gorman (footballer)
John Gorman is a Scottish former football player and coach. He is currently Assistant Manager at MK Dons in the English League One....
. In March 2005 he joined Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
on loan until the end of the season. Cambridge were relegated from League Two. In August 2005, Roberts retired from playing after reaching an agreement with Gillingham to pay the final year of his contract.
Style of play
Iwan Roberts has been known as a powerful header of the ball and has therefore often been used as targetman throughout his career.Book controversy
In 2004, Roberts published an account of his last season at Norwich, entitled "All I want for Christmas". It proved controversial, leading to a three match ban for admitting a deliberate stamp on Wolves defender Kevin MuscatKevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat is an Australian football player who currently plays for Victorian State League Division 1 side Sunshine George Cross and is assistant coach of Melbourne Victory...
, an incident that had taken place in 2000. Roberts stated in the book that the stamp was a payback for the injury that Muscat had inflicted on Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy
Craig Douglas Bellamy is a Welsh footballer who plays as a striker for Liverpool and the Welsh national team. Born in Cardiff, Bellamy was the captain of the Welsh national side for four years after taking over from Ryan Giggs in 2007, but stood down in January 2011 due to constant injuries...
while Bellamy and Roberts were playing together for Norwich.
The suspension "left “a bitter taste” for Iwan - especially after England captain David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
escaped without a punishment for his deliberate foul in the World Cup qualifier against Wales." The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
said there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Beckham with bringing the game into disrepute. This was "despite his admission in The Daily Telegraph and subsequent apology." At the time, Roberts told The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, "I do not want players to get suspensions and fines, but there must be consistency, regardless of who the player is."
Outside football
Roberts has the UEFAUEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
A coaching licence and currently works for BBC Wales, but has not ruled out getting into management. He told the Eastern Daily Press
Eastern Daily Press
The Eastern Daily Press, commonly referred to as the EDP, is a regional newspaper covering Norfolk, and northern parts of Suffolk and eastern Cambridgeshire, and is published daily in Norwich, UK....
, "I've done my qualifications. It's just getting a club to give me a chance and taking it."
When Norwich sacked manager Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and manager.He was manager of the Northern Ireland national team from 2007 until after their final Euro 2012 qualifying campaign match against Italy in October 2011.As a player, he was a left full back and occasional left...
, Roberts applied for the manager's job. "I tried to go for it... knowing I wasn't going to get it but I'd never really been for an interview and I thought if I did it would stand me in good stead. But I never got a response from the club and that really disappointed me. A week after Peter Grant got the job I got a letter through the post saying 'We won't be considering you this time'. And I thought 'I've known that for the past seven days'."
He does media work, including Welsh language commentary for Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
and Radio Cymru. He speaks fluent Welsh and also works for BBC Wales. Roberts has three children, two being twins (b. 24 September 1995). Among his charity work has been a connection with Norwich anti-drugs cause the Matthew Project, which him and his best friend Ross Kent run together.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League Two Football League Two Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 | |
| Club | Season | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
22 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 22 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 3 | |
| Club | Season | Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
2003–04 2003-04 in English football The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game.... |
41 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | 8 |
| 2002–03 2002-03 in English football The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... |
43 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 47 | 7 | |
| 2001–02 2001-02 in English football The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the... |
30 | 13 | — | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 34 | 14 | |
| 2000–01 2000-01 in English football The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons... |
44 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 50 | 19 | |
| 1999–2000 1999-2000 in English football -Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World... |
44 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 49 | 19 | |
| 1998–99 1998-99 in English football -Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker... |
45 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 51 | 23 | |
| 1997–98 1997-98 in English football The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title... |
31 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 6 | |
| Subtotal | 278 | 84 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 10 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 306 | 97 | |
| Club | Season | Division One | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
1996–97 1996-97 in English football The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :... |
33 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 38 | 12 |
| Subtotal | 33 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 38 | 12 | |
| Club | Season | Division One | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
1995–96 1995-96 in English football - Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title.... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Club | Season | Premiership | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
1994–95 1994-95 in English football -Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Club | Season | Division One | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
1993–94 1993-94 in English football The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Subtotal | 100 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 111 | 44 | |
| Club | Season | Division Two | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
1993–94 1993-94 in English football The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1992–93 1992-93 in English football The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions.... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1991–92 1991-92 in English football - First Division :The last-ever league championship before the creation of the Premier League was won by Leeds United who overhauled Manchester United thanks to the efforts of, among others, Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman, David Batty, Gary Speed and Gary McAllister... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1990–91 1990-91 in English football The 1990–91 season was the 111th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Arsenal won the league. Runners-up spot was achieved by Liverpool, who had led the table for much of the first half of the season but had been shell-shocked in February by the sudden resignation of manager... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| Subtotal | 142 | 50 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 6 | — | — | 14 | 8 | 182 | 68 | |
| Club | Season | Division Two | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
Others | Total | ||||||
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
1989–90 1989-90 in English football -European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1988–89 1988-89 in English football The 1988–89 season was the 109th season of competitive football in England.-Hillsborough disaster:On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1987–88 1987-88 in English football The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season.... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1986–87 1986-87 in English football The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| 1985–86 1985-86 in English football The 1985–86 season was the 106th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The championship crown went to Liverpool for the 16th time in their history at the end of their first season under the management of Kenny Dalglish, but they had to fight off some very stiff competition to... |
4 | 0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | — | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| Subtotal | 63 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 5 | 0 | 83 | 12 | |
| Grand total | 647 | 202 | 33 | 8 | 48 | 20 | — | — | 25 | 9 | 753 | 239 | |
(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)
| National team | Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales 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... |
1989–90 | 1 (0) | 0 |
| 1991–92 | 3 (0) | 0 | |
| 1993–94 | 0 (1) | 0 | |
| 1994–95 | 1 (1) | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | 2 (1) | 0 | |
| 2000–01 | 1 (2) | 0 | |
| 2001–02 | 1 (1) | 0 | |
| Total | 9 (6) | 0 |
(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)
(Brackets indicate substitute appearances)
- Roberts is 3rd on the all-time list of Norwich City goal-scorers.
Honours
- First division play-offs winner 1994,1996
- First division championship winner 2004
- Norwich City player of the year 1999, 2000
- Among inaugural members of Norwich City Hall of Fame 2003
- Named as Norwich City's Greatest Ever striker in May 2008