Stuart Roberts (footballer, born 1967)

Stuart William Roberts (25 March 1967 – 2 June 2023) was a Welsh footballer who played in the English Football League for Stoke City.[1]

Stuart Roberts
Personal information
Full name Stuart William Roberts[1]
Date of birth (1967-03-25)25 March 1967[1]
Place of birth Chirk, Wales[1]
Date of death 2 June 2023(2023-06-02) (aged 56)
Place of death St Martin's, Shropshire, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983 Oswestry Town
1984–1985 Stoke City 3 (0)
1986–1988 Derry City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Roberts was born in Chirk and played with Oswestry Town in the Welsh league, impressing enough to earn a move to First Division side Stoke City as a teenager.[1] He made his Football League debut on 8 December 1984 against Ipswich Town becoming Stoke City's youngest goalkeeper at the age of 17 years, 258 days.[1] Stoke lost 2–0 and Roberts played in four more matches during a woeful 1984–85 campaign which saw them relegated with a record low points tally.[1] At the end of the season he was released and joined Irish club Derry City.[1] He spent two seasons at the Brandywell Stadium and won the League of Ireland First Division in 1986–87. His last game was the 1988 FAI Cup Final.

Death

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Roberts was found dead at his home in St Martin's, Shropshire on 2 June 2023. The inquest recorded a conclusion of suicide.[2]

Career statistics

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Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stoke City 1984–85[1] First Division 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0
Career Total 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0

Honours

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Derry City

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ "Ex-Stoke City footballer from Shropshire took own life after tinnitus hit his mental health". Shropshire Star. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.