John Roberts (footballer, born 1946) explained

John Roberts
Fullname:John Griffith Roberts
Birth Date:11 September 1946
Birth Place:Abercynon, Wales
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:1961–1963
Youthclubs1:Abercynon Athletic
Youthyears2:1963–1964
Youthclubs2:Swansea Town
Years1:1964–1967
Caps1:37
Goals1:16
Years2:1967–1969
Caps2:62
Goals2:11
Years3:1969–1972
Caps3:59
Goals3:4
Years4:1972–1976
Caps4:66
Goals4:1
Years5:1976–1980
Caps5:145
Goals5:5
Years6:1980–1982
Caps6:26
Goals6:1
Years7:1982–1983
Clubs7:Oswestry Town
Nationalyears1:
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:
Nationalteam2:Wales U-23
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1971–1976
Nationalcaps3:22
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:1982–1983
Managerclubs1:Oswestry Town (player manager)

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.

Playing career

Born 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.[1]

Roberts left Arsenal in 1972, having played a total of 81 matches, scoring five goals.[2] He joined Birmingham City for a transfer fee of £140,000 in March 1972. 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

He went on to work as a stationery salesman and as a driving instructor.

Roberts' death at the age of 69 was reported on 4 January 2016.[3]

References

General
Specific

Notes and References

  1. Book: Harris, Jeff . Arsenal Who's Who . Independent UK Sports Publications . 1995 . 978-1899429035 . London . 219 . en.
  2. Web site: John Roberts . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 4 January 2016.
  3. News: 4 January 2016 . John Roberts: Former Wales & Arsenal defender dies aged 69 . BBC Sport . 4 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218012249/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35220161 . 18 December 2022.