Bill Roberts (footballer, born 1908)

For other footballers of similar name, see Bill Roberts (disambiguation).

William Samuel Roberts (12 July 1908 – 22 February 1976) was a Welsh footballer who played as a right back. He made over 170 Football League appearances in the years before the Second World War.

Bill Roberts

Personal information
Full name	William Samuel Roberts
Date of birth	(1908-07-12)12 July 1908
Place of birth	Bargoed, Wales
Date of death	(1976-02-22)22 February 1976
Place of death	Bristol, England
Height	5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m)
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
19??–19??	Army
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1932–1933	Tottenham Hotspur	0	(0)
1933–1938	Bristol City	135	(7)
1938–1939	Newport County	41	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Bill Roberts was born in Bargoed and began his footballing career in the Army. He signed briefly for Tottenham Hotspur in 1932. Bob Hewison signed tough tackling Roberts in September 1933 for Bristol City. Bill Roberts followed Ernie Brinton to Newport County in July 1938. Roberts was captured by the Germans in France during the Second World War. Later Bill Roberts was landlord of the "Elm Tree" pub in Bishopsworth, Bristol then worked locally for HM Customs & Excise. He died in Bristol, aged 67.

Honours

with Bristol City

• Welsh Cup winner 1934

with Newport County

• Football League Third Division South winner: 1938–39