Robert Lee Roberts
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob Lee" Roberts (born 1868) was a Welsh footballer who played at full back for Chester
in the 1880s and 1890s. He made one appearance for Wales
.
, but had joined Chester
by 1888, where he became team captain. His only international appearance came on 8 February 1890 against Ireland at the Old Racecourse, Shrewsbury
, when he was called up in the absence of Di Jones
. The match ended in a 5–2 victory for the Welsh.
During Roberts' time at Chester, the club helped found The Combination
in 1890, finishing in third place in the inaugural season.
In 1891, Roberts moved to London
to take up employment with Shoolbreds
, a large department store
in Gower Street
. He joined the newly formed London Welsh
club shortly after his arrival in the capital, and was converted into a free-scoring centre forward. One report commented: "His play is remarkable for unnerving judgement, together with great speed... besides being a good dribbler, he is a fine shot at goal and keeps his team together well."
In 1892, his career was interrupted by a broken leg, but he made a full recovery enabling him to score seven goals in one match for Middlesex against United Hospitals in 1894.
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in the 1880s and 1890s. He made one appearance for 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...
.
Football career
Roberts was born in Beaumaris on the island of AngleseyAnglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, but had joined Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
by 1888, where he became team captain. His only international appearance came on 8 February 1890 against Ireland at the Old Racecourse, Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, when he was called up in the absence of Di Jones
Di Jones
David "Di" Jones was a Welsh footballer who played as a full back for Chirk, Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City in the late 19th century. He also won 14 caps for the Welsh national team.-Club career:...
. The match ended in a 5–2 victory for the Welsh.
During Roberts' time at Chester, the club helped found The Combination
The Combination
The Combination was a minor league during the early days of English football. It had two incarnations; the first ran only for the 1888–89 season for teams across the Northern England and the Midlands, and was wound up before completion. The second was created for the 1890–91 season, but disbanded...
in 1890, finishing in third place in the inaugural season.
In 1891, Roberts moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to take up employment with Shoolbreds
James Shoolbred (department store)
James Shoolbred and Company was a draper and later a department store, located on Tottenham Court Road, London.The store was established in the 1820's at 155 Tottenham Court Road selling textiles for home furnishing. In the 1870's the store began designing, manufacturing and selling high quality...
, a large department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
in Gower Street
Gower Street (London)
Gower Street is a street in Bloomsbury, Central London, England, running between Euston Road to the north and Montague Place to the south.North Gower Street is a separate street running north of the Euston Road...
. He joined the newly formed London Welsh
London Welsh F.C.
London Welsh F.C. were an English football team that were formed as early as 1891. They lost emphatically in the 1891-92 season 0-12 to Millwall Athletic. They played in the London League for at least the 1896-97 season, in which they finished 7th of seven...
club shortly after his arrival in the capital, and was converted into a free-scoring centre forward. One report commented: "His play is remarkable for unnerving judgement, together with great speed... besides being a good dribbler, he is a fine shot at goal and keeps his team together well."
In 1892, his career was interrupted by a broken leg, but he made a full recovery enabling him to score seven goals in one match for Middlesex against United Hospitals in 1894.