Bob McRoberts | |
Fullname: | Robert McRoberts |
Birth Date: | 12 July 1874 |
Birth Place: | Coatbridge, Scotland |
Death Place: | Birkenhead, England |
Position: | Centre-forward |
Clubs1: | Coatbridge |
Years2: | 1894–1895 |
Clubs2: | Airdrieonians |
Caps2: | 7 |
Goals2: | 7 |
Years3: | 1895–1896 |
Years4: | 1896–1898 |
Caps4: | 52 |
Goals4: | 15 |
Years5: | 1898–1905 |
Caps5: | 173 |
Goals5: | 70 |
Years6: | 1905–1911 |
Caps6: | 104 |
Goals6: | 10 |
Manageryears1: | 1911–1915 |
Managerclubs1: | Birmingham |
Robert McRoberts (12 July 1874 – 27 February 1959) was a Scottish professional association football player and manager. He played as a centre forward.
McRoberts was born in Coatbridge, Scotland. He started his football career at Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers in the Scottish League,[1] and went on to play for Gainsborough Trinity, Small Heath (Birmingham) and Chelsea, where he also played as a defender, in the Football League. He was Small Heath's leading goalscorer for three successive seasons, from 1899–1900 to 1901–02, and was Chelsea's first ever £100 signing, playing in their first League game in September 1905.[2] On 4 November 1905, as Chelsea beat Barnsley 6–0 in a home league match, McRoberts scored the club's first-ever penalty.
After retirement, he came back to Birmingham where in June 1911 he was appointed their first full-time professional team manager.[3] Previously the team had been selected by a committee. He managed the club for four years.
McRoberts died in Birkenhead, England, at the age of 84.