John Griffith Roberts (11 September 1946 – 4 January 2016) was a Welsh footballer who made nearly 400 appearances in the Football League and won 22 caps for Wales.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Griffith Roberts | ||
| Date of birth | 11 September 1946 | ||
| Place of birth | Abercynon, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 4 January 2016 (aged 69) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1961–1963 | Abercynon Athletic | ||
| 1963–1964 | Swansea Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1964–1967 | Swansea Town | 37 | (16) |
| 1967–1969 | Northampton Town | 62 | (11) |
| 1969–1972 | Arsenal | 59 | (4) |
| 1972–1976 | Birmingham City | 66 | (1) |
| 1976–1980 | Wrexham | 145 | (5) |
| 1980–1982 | Hull City | 26 | (1) |
| 1982–1983 | Oswestry Town | ||
| International career | |||
| – | Wales U-21 | 1 | (0) |
| – | Wales U-23 | 5 | (0) |
| 1971–1976 | Wales | 22 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1982–1983 | Oswestry Town (player manager) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editBorn in Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Roberts played football for local club Abercynon Athletic while working as a railway fireman. He joined Swansea Town as an apprentice in 1963, turning professional in 1964. Initially a striker who later switched to centre half, he moved to Northampton Town in 1967
Roberts moved to Arsenal in May 1969 on a transfer fee of £30,000. He played for Arsenal for three seasons, including 18 appearances in the 1970–71 season, when Arsenal won the First Division title, thus earning him a championship medal. Roberts however did not play in the FA Cup Final the same year, which Arsenal also won to complete the Double. He won the first of his caps with Wales in a game versus England in the same year.[2]
Roberts left Arsenal in 1972, having played a total of 81 matches, scoring five goals.[3] He joined Birmingham City for a transfer fee of £140,000 in March 1972.[2] He went on to have spells at Wrexham and Hull City before trying his hand as player-manager of Oswestry Town. He also won 22 caps with Wales.
Later career
editHe went on to work as a stationery salesman and as a driving instructor.[2]
Roberts' death at the age of 69 was reported on 4 January 2016.[4]
References
edit- General
- "Caught In Time: Arsenal 1971". Archived from the original on 17 August 2012.
- Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
- Specific
- ^ "John Roberts". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ a b c Harris, Jeff (1995). Arsenal Who's Who. London: Independent UK Sports Publications. p. 219. ISBN 978-1899429035.
- ^ "John Roberts". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ "John Roberts: Former Wales & Arsenal defender dies aged 69". BBC Sport. 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2016.