Robbie Herrera
Encyclopedia
Roberto Herrera is an English
former professional footballer. He played as a left-back and is currently College Co-ordinator at Torquay United
as part of the clubs youth development link with Paignton Community and Sports College.
, South Devon
and registered as a schoolboy with his local side Torquay United
, began his career as an apprentice with Queens Park Rangers
, turning professional on 1 March 1988. His league debut came as a substitute on 14 January 1989 in an away defeat against Wimbledon
, but future appearances proved to be hard to come by.
Herrera returned to Torquay United
on loan on 17 March 1992, playing 11 league games. A further loan spell at Plainmoor followed on 24 October 1992, Herrera returning to the QPR reserves after 5 games. On 29 October 1993, he made the short move from Loftus Road
to Fulham
, where he eventually made 144 league appearances, scoring twice. After helping Fulham to promotion from Division 3 in 1997, Herrera lost his place to former QPR colleague Rufus Brevett
, as the ambitions of their owner Mohamed Al Fayed became apparent, ambitions that would see the London side in the Premiership within 4 years.
The situation surrounding Herrera's move to Fulham was a unique one. During a time of financial frailty for Fulham, chairman Jimmy Hill came out in front of the crowd and said that they had identified a full back from Queens Park Rangers who he and the manager thought would improve the team. Hill asked that Fulham fans contribute what they can towards the £60,000 for the signing of this full back and the following game Herrera was paraded in front of the crowd with the rumour being that filmstar Hugh Grant had stumped up the transfer fee.
On 4 August 1998, he signed for Torquay for a fee of £30,000, his solid defending and quick attacking instincts helping to establish him in the team. However, a recurring groin injury caused him to miss games, and during the 2000–01 season he found it difficult to sustain himself as a first team regular, not playing at all after 31 March. Although his form was not good, he was played as a wing-back by Wes Saunders
, and not in his natural full-back position. It was little surprise that Herrera was one of the three players released at the end of the 2000–01 season. He had played 104 league games, scoring one goal, in his third spell at the club.
Surprisingly, given his poor showing the previous season, Herrera was invited back to Plainmoor
on trial by new manager Roy McFarland
, playing in the 2–0 win away to Newton Abbot on 25 July 2001. On 8 August he signed a 3-month contract, and played in the opening game of the season away to Bristol Rovers
. Two further appearances followed, but he then slipped out of the reckoning and was released on 17 September.
He joined Leyton Orient
on trial on 1 October, signing a one-month contract 2 days later as manager Tommy Taylor
wanted cover for the injured Matthew Lockwood
. Taylor was sacked soon after, but Herrera impressed new manager Paul Brush
enough to earn a second month's contract beginning on 5 November, despite being out with first a back injury and then a toe injury. He was released by Orient later that month and joined non-league Grays Athletic
.
In December 2005, Herrera joined Leroy Rosenior
's Merthyr Tydfil
, moving on to Taunton Town
, managed by former Torquay player Russell Musker
in August 2002. He left Taunton in the summer of 2003 to join Bideford, managed by another former Torquay player Sean Joyce
.
In March 2006 he joined another North Devon side Torrington
, taking over as player-manager the following month. Herrera resigned in February 2007 after a 7–0 defeat against Melksham Town
, and returned to Bideford as a player only.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer. He played as a left-back and is currently College Co-ordinator at Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
as part of the clubs youth development link with Paignton Community and Sports College.
Career
Herrera, although born and raised in TorquayTorquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, South Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and registered as a schoolboy with his local side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, began his career as an apprentice with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, turning professional on 1 March 1988. His league debut came as a substitute on 14 January 1989 in an away defeat against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, but future appearances proved to be hard to come by.
Herrera returned to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan on 17 March 1992, playing 11 league games. A further loan spell at Plainmoor followed on 24 October 1992, Herrera returning to the QPR reserves after 5 games. On 29 October 1993, he made the short move from Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, where he eventually made 144 league appearances, scoring twice. After helping Fulham to promotion from Division 3 in 1997, Herrera lost his place to former QPR colleague Rufus Brevett
Rufus Brevett
Rupis Emanuel Brevett is an English former professional football player who played as a defender. He has retired from professional football, last playing for Oxford United.-Football career:...
, as the ambitions of their owner Mohamed Al Fayed became apparent, ambitions that would see the London side in the Premiership within 4 years.
The situation surrounding Herrera's move to Fulham was a unique one. During a time of financial frailty for Fulham, chairman Jimmy Hill came out in front of the crowd and said that they had identified a full back from Queens Park Rangers who he and the manager thought would improve the team. Hill asked that Fulham fans contribute what they can towards the £60,000 for the signing of this full back and the following game Herrera was paraded in front of the crowd with the rumour being that filmstar Hugh Grant had stumped up the transfer fee.
On 4 August 1998, he signed for Torquay for a fee of £30,000, his solid defending and quick attacking instincts helping to establish him in the team. However, a recurring groin injury caused him to miss games, and during the 2000–01 season he found it difficult to sustain himself as a first team regular, not playing at all after 31 March. Although his form was not good, he was played as a wing-back by Wes Saunders
Wes Saunders
Wes Saunders is an English former professional footballer and football club manager.Saunders was born in Sunderland and brought up in Boldon Colliery, attending Boldon Comprehensive school...
, and not in his natural full-back position. It was little surprise that Herrera was one of the three players released at the end of the 2000–01 season. He had played 104 league games, scoring one goal, in his third spell at the club.
Surprisingly, given his poor showing the previous season, Herrera was invited back to Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
on trial by new manager Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
, playing in the 2–0 win away to Newton Abbot on 25 July 2001. On 8 August he signed a 3-month contract, and played in the opening game of the season away to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
. Two further appearances followed, but he then slipped out of the reckoning and was released on 17 September.
He joined Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
on trial on 1 October, signing a one-month contract 2 days later as manager Tommy Taylor
Tommy Taylor (footballer born 1951)
Thomas Frederick Taylor is an English football manager and former footballer. As a footballer, he played as a defender. He is the former manager of Belper Town.-Career:...
wanted cover for the injured Matthew Lockwood
Matthew Lockwood
Matthew Dominic "Matt" Lockwood is an English footballer, regarded as a set-piece specialist, who is currently player assistant manager at Dundee.-Early career:...
. Taylor was sacked soon after, but Herrera impressed new manager Paul Brush
Paul Brush
Paul Brush is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Southend United...
enough to earn a second month's contract beginning on 5 November, despite being out with first a back injury and then a toe injury. He was released by Orient later that month and joined non-league Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
.
In December 2005, Herrera joined Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer whose clubs included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers , Bristol City and West Ham United.As one of the few black football managers in England, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism...
's Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil F.C.
Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:...
, moving on to Taunton Town
Taunton Town F.C.
Taunton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Taunton, Somerset, England. They compete in the Southern Football League Division One South & West, and play their home matches at their Wordsworth Drive ground which they moved into during the 1953 season...
, managed by former Torquay player Russell Musker
Russell Musker
Russell Musker is an English former footballer who played for Bristol City, Exeter City, Gillingham, Torquay United and Walsall between 1980 and 1992, making over 180 appearances in the Football League, before embarking on a career in the non-league game with Gloucester City, Saltash United and...
in August 2002. He left Taunton in the summer of 2003 to join Bideford, managed by another former Torquay player Sean Joyce
Sean Joyce
Sean William Joyce is an English former professional footballer who made 200 appearances in the Football League playing for Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City and Torquay United...
.
In March 2006 he joined another North Devon side Torrington
Torrington F.C.
Torrington F.C. are a football club based in Great Torrington, Devon, England.Torrington's home shirt is green with white hoops, which is worn with white shorts and green and green socks with white hoops. Their away shirt is yellow with blue stripes down the arms, which is worn with blue shorts and...
, taking over as player-manager the following month. Herrera resigned in February 2007 after a 7–0 defeat against Melksham Town
Melksham Town F.C.
Melksham Town F.C. are a football club based in Melksham, Wiltshire, England. They were established in 1876 and joined the Western Football League in 1974....
, and returned to Bideford as a player only.