Gareth Roberts (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gareth Wyn Roberts is a Welsh international
footballer who plays for Derby County
, where he plays as a left-back. He has played over 400 league games in a career which has taken in five different clubs and was part of the Tranmere Rovers
side which reached the club's first major cup final in 2000.
and played alongside future England internationals
Michael Owen
and Jamie Carragher
in the 1996 FA Youth Cup
winning side, who beat a West Ham United
side featuring Frank Lampard
and Rio Ferdinand
. He failed to make the grade at Anfield
, however, and was released by the club which led to him being signed up by Ronnie Whelan
, then manager of Greek
side Panionios. His stay in Greece was very brief however, lasting just 15 league games, and he returned to England with a loan spell to Tranmere Rovers
in August 1999, which became permanent in November the same year.
and made almost 270 league appearances for the club. It was whilst at Tranmere that Roberts came closest to winning a major domestic honour, as he was part of the Tranmere side which reached the club's first ever major cup final, the 2000 Football League Cup Final
, where they narrowly lost out 2–1 to Premier League side Leicester City
whilst they were still in the second tier. After a midtable finish that campaign, however, Roberts first full season at the club saw Tranmere relegated in bottom place. After three years of narrowly missing out on the playoffs, Tranmere finished third in the 2004–05 season, seven points from automatic promotion, and lost in the playoff semi finals on penalties to Hartlepool United
, who had finished sixth. The club failed to recover from the disappointment, finishing a lowly 18th the following year, their lowest finish in Roberts stay at the club, and he left in July 2006 on a Bosman
free transfer to join rival Football League One
club Doncaster Rovers
. Including his loan spell, Roberts appeared for Tranmere 338 times in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.
in his first season with Doncaster, though he was an unused substitute in the final itself. Roberts also scored his first goal for the Rovers in the final game of the 2006–07 season against Northampton Town – a "quality strike with his left foot, just outside the box." Roberts helped Doncaster earn promotion to the Championship
in his second season, playing a key role in Doncaster's season with 36 appearances and 3 goals, including a crucial winner against promotion rivals Nottingham Forest
. He then appeared in all three of Doncaster's playoff games, culminating with a 1–0 victory over Leeds United in the final in front of 75, 132; the biggest crowd of Roberts career. Following promotion, Roberts signed a new two-year deal at Doncaster and he played a key role in the Doncaster side that comfortably retained its Championship status over the next two season, despite a much smaller budget than some of its rivals. Roberts appeared in 165 games for Doncaster, with Sean O'Driscoll
stating that "Gareth has actually improved as a player since he has been here and I don't think he would want to go anywhere else by choice, unless he was offered terms we couldn't compete with." This scenario became a possibility when he was linked with a move to Championship
rivals Derby County
upon the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2010. Although Rovers offered Roberts a new deal, he opted to join Derby instead. Of the deal, Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll
said "We have done what we can to keep him but we are still far away from what he has been offered. Since we (O'Driscoll and his management team) walked through the door, he has been a first class professional and got better. That is football and I think that he has found the decision difficult and at his age you understand that if he wants to move to pastures new, not to push him away as I would love him to have stayed, you have to be practical."
on a 2-year deal when his contract with Doncaster expires on 1 July. He was given the number 3 shirt, vacated by the departing left back Jay McEveley and was placed straight into the first team during the club's 2010–11 pre season fixtures. He made his Rams debut in their 2–1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road
on the first game of the 2010/11 season. Roberts started each of Derby's opening five matches before an injury sustained in a 1–0 home defeat to Sheffield United
ruled him out for a month. He returned to action in October 2010, playing the full game in a reserves defeat at Rotherham United
. Roberts was kept out of the first team by fellow leftback Dean Moxey
on his return to availability until he earned a starting spot against Scunthorpe United
when Moxey was unavailable with the flu. Roberts was sent off for two yellow card offences as Derby held on for a 3–2 win.
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
footballer who plays for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, where he plays as a left-back. He has played over 400 league games in a career which has taken in five different clubs and was part of the Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
side which reached the club's first major cup final in 2000.
Early career
Roberts started his career as a trainee at LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and played alongside future England internationals
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
and Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
James Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool...
in the 1996 FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winning side, who beat a West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
side featuring Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
and Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
. He failed to make the grade at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, however, and was released by the club which led to him being signed up by Ronnie Whelan
Ronnie Whelan
Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" Whelan is a former Irish football midfielder, and sometimes defender, who was an integral part of the dominant Liverpool side of the 1980s...
, then manager of Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
side Panionios. His stay in Greece was very brief however, lasting just 15 league games, and he returned to England with a loan spell to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in August 1999, which became permanent in November the same year.
Tranmere Rovers
Roberts spend nine years at Prenton ParkPrenton Park
Prenton Park is an association football stadium in Birkenhead, England. It is the home ground of Tranmere Rovers F.C. The club moved to the current Prenton Park in 1912. The ground has had several rebuilds, with the most recent occurring in 1995 in response to the requirement of the Taylor Report...
and made almost 270 league appearances for the club. It was whilst at Tranmere that Roberts came closest to winning a major domestic honour, as he was part of the Tranmere side which reached the club's first ever major cup final, the 2000 Football League Cup Final
2000 Football League Cup Final
The 2000 Worthington Cup Final was played between Leicester City, in their third final appearance in four years, and First Division side Tranmere Rovers at Wembley on 27 February 2000...
, where they narrowly lost out 2–1 to Premier League side Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
whilst they were still in the second tier. After a midtable finish that campaign, however, Roberts first full season at the club saw Tranmere relegated in bottom place. After three years of narrowly missing out on the playoffs, Tranmere finished third in the 2004–05 season, seven points from automatic promotion, and lost in the playoff semi finals on penalties to Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, who had finished sixth. The club failed to recover from the disappointment, finishing a lowly 18th the following year, their lowest finish in Roberts stay at the club, and he left in July 2006 on a Bosman
Bosman
Bosman is a Dutch surname, and may refer to:* Dick Bosman , American baseball player* Herman Charles Bosman , South African writer and journalist* Jean-Marc Bosman , Belgian footballer...
free transfer to join rival Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. Including his loan spell, Roberts appeared for Tranmere 338 times in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.
Doncaster Rovers
Roberts won the Football League TrophyFootball League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
in his first season with Doncaster, though he was an unused substitute in the final itself. Roberts also scored his first goal for the Rovers in the final game of the 2006–07 season against Northampton Town – a "quality strike with his left foot, just outside the box." Roberts helped Doncaster earn promotion to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in his second season, playing a key role in Doncaster's season with 36 appearances and 3 goals, including a crucial winner against promotion rivals Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. He then appeared in all three of Doncaster's playoff games, culminating with a 1–0 victory over Leeds United in the final in front of 75, 132; the biggest crowd of Roberts career. Following promotion, Roberts signed a new two-year deal at Doncaster and he played a key role in the Doncaster side that comfortably retained its Championship status over the next two season, despite a much smaller budget than some of its rivals. Roberts appeared in 165 games for Doncaster, with Sean O'Driscoll
Sean O'Driscoll
Sean Michael O'Driscoll is an English-Irish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having been relieved of his duties as manager of Doncaster Rovers in September 2011. He joined Doncaster in September 2006 following Dave Penney's departure. He was previously manager at...
stating that "Gareth has actually improved as a player since he has been here and I don't think he would want to go anywhere else by choice, unless he was offered terms we couldn't compete with." This scenario became a possibility when he was linked with a move to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
rivals Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
upon the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2010. Although Rovers offered Roberts a new deal, he opted to join Derby instead. Of the deal, Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll
Sean O'Driscoll
Sean Michael O'Driscoll is an English-Irish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having been relieved of his duties as manager of Doncaster Rovers in September 2011. He joined Doncaster in September 2006 following Dave Penney's departure. He was previously manager at...
said "We have done what we can to keep him but we are still far away from what he has been offered. Since we (O'Driscoll and his management team) walked through the door, he has been a first class professional and got better. That is football and I think that he has found the decision difficult and at his age you understand that if he wants to move to pastures new, not to push him away as I would love him to have stayed, you have to be practical."
Derby County
On 13 May 2010, it was announced that Roberts had agreed to join Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on a 2-year deal when his contract with Doncaster expires on 1 July. He was given the number 3 shirt, vacated by the departing left back Jay McEveley and was placed straight into the first team during the club's 2010–11 pre season fixtures. He made his Rams debut in their 2–1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
on the first game of the 2010/11 season. Roberts started each of Derby's opening five matches before an injury sustained in a 1–0 home defeat to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
ruled him out for a month. He returned to action in October 2010, playing the full game in a reserves defeat at Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. Roberts was kept out of the first team by fellow leftback Dean Moxey
Dean Moxey
Dean William Moxey is an English professional footballer who plays for Championship side Crystal Palace. He is a left-sided player, comfortable at either left back or on the left side of midfield. He has been capped by England at semi-professional level.-Exeter City:Moxey began his career as a...
on his return to availability until he earned a starting spot against Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
when Moxey was unavailable with the flu. Roberts was sent off for two yellow card offences as Derby held on for a 3–2 win.
International
Roberts won the first of his nine caps for Wales as a substitute against Finland in 2000. His last was as a last minute substitute against Slovenia in 2005.Honours
- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 1996 - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
: 2007 - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: Runner-up 2000
External links
- Gareth Roberts player profile at doncasterroversfc.co.uk