Peter Rodrigues
Encyclopedia
Peter Joseph Rodrigues (born 21 January 1944) is a retired footballer, best remembered as the captain of Southampton's
1976 FA Cup
winning team.
, Wales
and originally turned out for his local schools. He went on to be selected for both Cardiff Schoolboys and for Welsh schoolboys, before signing for Cardiff City
as a professional in May 1961. Rodrigues almost left the side before ever making a professional appearance for the club when Newport County
offered £500 to take him to Somerton Park
but the offer was turned down by Cardiff. He went on to make his debut in a 3-3 draw with Southampton
in September 1963 and for the next three seasons he was virtually ever-present in the side. Unfortunately Rodrigues was unhappy with the standard of football at the club and decided to leave.
in December 1965. Peter was signed to fill the right back position, moving John Sjoberg
into the centre of the field. Rodrigues was an established Welsh international when he arrived at City for a club record fee of £42,500. Rodrigues’ attacking full back play set a standard to City's play in the next decade and when Steve Whitworth
replaced Rodrigues he played with the same passion to go forward. Rodrigues was a fine over-lapping full-back who was renowned for his sliding tackles. He played in City's losing 1969 FA Cup final, missing arguably their best chance on the day, before leaving to join Sheffield Wednesday
in October 1970.
Peter made 139 league appearances for Leicester scoring 6 goals, plus a further 29 cup appearances.
as cover for Steve Mills who had been injured in a car crash and was out of action for a lengthy period of time. Peter's first season at The Dell
could not have been better with the side winning their first and only FA Cup
. Rodrigues started at right-back in the Wembley final where Southampton beat Manchester United 1-0. However, Rodrigues' second year at The Dell saw his playing days ended with a persistent knee injury.
He made 59 league appearances for Saints scoring 3 goals, plus a further 13 cup and other appearances.
. In 1987, Peter moved back to Wales to take over another pub and set up a soccer school in Denby
.
He later returned to Southampton to manage the Conservative Club where he stayed for 8 years until the death of his wife, Lin. In 2002, Peter moved to Alicante
in Spain for a few years, but after re-marrying (to Kate) he has now settled back in Southampton where he now works as a driver.
In October 2004, Peter’s eldest daughter placed his FA Cup winner’s medal up for auction without his knowledge. The medal sold for £10,200 and was initially said to have been purchased by a mystery bidder, but it was subsequently announced that the medal had been purchased by Southampton Football Club.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
1976 FA Cup
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
winning team.
Cardiff City
Rodrigues was born in CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and originally turned out for his local schools. He went on to be selected for both Cardiff Schoolboys and for Welsh schoolboys, before signing for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
as a professional in May 1961. Rodrigues almost left the side before ever making a professional appearance for the club when Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
offered £500 to take him to Somerton Park
Somerton Park
Somerton Park was a football, greyhound and speedway stadium in Newport, Monmouthshire. In April 1912 Newport County had been accepted to play in the Southern League for the 1912–13 season. Shortly afterwards, the site for the ground was obtained by the Club's chairman Bert Moss...
but the offer was turned down by Cardiff. He went on to make his debut in a 3-3 draw with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in September 1963 and for the next three seasons he was virtually ever-present in the side. Unfortunately Rodrigues was unhappy with the standard of football at the club and decided to leave.
Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday
Peter joined Leicester CityLeicester 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...
in December 1965. Peter was signed to fill the right back position, moving John Sjoberg
John Sjoberg
John Sjoberg was a Scottish footballer who played 15 seasons for Leicester City between 1958 and 1973. Sjoberg joined the Foxes from Scottish amateur side Banks o'Dee in August 1958, and went on to play 413 first-team matches for Leicester...
into the centre of the field. Rodrigues was an established Welsh international when he arrived at City for a club record fee of £42,500. Rodrigues’ attacking full back play set a standard to City's play in the next decade and when Steve Whitworth
Steve Whitworth
Stephen "Steve" Whitworth is an English former professional footballer who made nearly 600 appearances in the Football League playing for Leicester City, Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and Mansfield Town. He was capped seven times for England.-Club career:Whitworth was born in Coalville,...
replaced Rodrigues he played with the same passion to go forward. Rodrigues was a fine over-lapping full-back who was renowned for his sliding tackles. He played in City's losing 1969 FA Cup final, missing arguably their best chance on the day, before leaving to join Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in October 1970.
Peter made 139 league appearances for Leicester scoring 6 goals, plus a further 29 cup appearances.
Southampton
Rodrigues was signed on a free transfer by Southampton at the age of 30 in 1975, after being released from his contract by Sheffield Wednesday. The Welsh international full-back was signed by Lawrie McMenemyLawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
as cover for Steve Mills who had been injured in a car crash and was out of action for a lengthy period of time. Peter's first season at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
could not have been better with the side winning their first and only FA Cup
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
. Rodrigues started at right-back in the Wembley final where Southampton beat Manchester United 1-0. However, Rodrigues' second year at The Dell saw his playing days ended with a persistent knee injury.
He made 59 league appearances for Saints scoring 3 goals, plus a further 13 cup and other appearances.
Retirement
After retirement from football Rodrigues became the landlord of the King Rufus pub in ElingEling
Eling may refer to:*Eling, Berkshire*Totton and Eling, Hampshire*Eling Park, Chongqing...
. In 1987, Peter moved back to Wales to take over another pub and set up a soccer school in Denby
Denby
Denby is a village in the English county of Derbyshire that is notable as the birthplace of John Flamsteed, England's first Royal Astronomer, and the location of the Denby Pottery Company....
.
He later returned to Southampton to manage the Conservative Club where he stayed for 8 years until the death of his wife, Lin. In 2002, Peter moved to Alicante
Alicante
Alicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
in Spain for a few years, but after re-marrying (to Kate) he has now settled back in Southampton where he now works as a driver.
In October 2004, Peter’s eldest daughter placed his FA Cup winner’s medal up for auction without his knowledge. The medal sold for £10,200 and was initially said to have been purchased by a mystery bidder, but it was subsequently announced that the medal had been purchased by Southampton Football Club.
As a player
Leicester City F.C.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...
- FA Cup finalist 1969
Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- FA Cup winner 1976FA Cup Final 1976The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...