John Roberts (Welsh footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = John Roberts


fullname = John Griffith Roberts
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1946|9|11|df=y
cityofbirth = Abercynon
countryofbirth = Wales
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
position = Defender
youthyears = 1961–1963
1963–1964
youthclubs = Abercynon Athletic
Swansea Town
years = 1964–1967
1967–1969
1969–1972
1972–1976
1976–1980
1980–1982
1982–1983
clubs = Swansea Town
Northampton Town
Arsenal
Birmingham City
Wrexham
Hull City
Oswestry Town
caps(goals) = 037 (16)
062 (11)
059 0(4)
066 0(1)
145 0(5)
026 0(1)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Wales U-21
Wales U-23
Wales
nationalcaps(goals) = 001
005
022 0(0)
manageryears = 1982–1983
managerclubs = Oswestry Town (player manager)

John Griffith Roberts (born 11 September 1946) is a Welsh former footballer who made nearly 400 appearances in the Football League and won 22 caps for Wales.

Born in Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Roberts played football for local club Abercynon Athletic while working as a railway fireman. He joined Swansea City 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 and then Arsenal in 1969. 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.

Roberts left Arsenal in 1972, having played a total of 81 matches, scoring two goals. He went on to have spells at Birmingham City, Wrexham and Hull City before trying his hand as player-manager of Oswestry Town. He also won 22 caps with Wales.

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

References

*cite web | url=http://ds.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/caught14.htm#Roberts | title=Caught In Time: Arsenal 1971 | accessdate=2007-06-27
*cite book |author=Matthews, Tony |title=Birmingham City: A Complete Record |year=1995 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |pages=p. 120 |isbn=978-1-85983-010-9

Persondata
NAME = Roberts, John Griffith
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Professional footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 1946-09-11
PLACE OF BIRTH = Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Glamorgan, Wales
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =