Bob McRoberts

For the American football player, see Bob McRoberts (American football).

Bob McRoberts

Personal information
Full name	Robert McRoberts
Date of birth	(1874-07-12)12 July 1874
Place of birth	Coatbridge, Scotland
Date of death	27 February 1959(1959-02-27) (aged 84)
Place of death	Birkenhead, England
Position(s)	Centre-forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Coatbridge
1894–1895	Airdrieonians	7	(7)
1895–1896	Albion Rovers
1896–1898	Gainsborough Trinity	52	(15)
1898–1905	Small Heath	173	(70)
1905–1911	Chelsea	104	(10)
Managerial career
1911–1915	Birmingham
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert McRoberts (12 July 1874 – 27 February 1959) was a Scottish professional association football player and manager. He played as a centre forward.

McRoberts was born in Coatbridge, Scotland. He started his football career at Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers in the Scottish League, and went on to play for Gainsborough Trinity, Small Heath (Birmingham) and Chelsea, where he also played as a defender, in the Football League. He was Small Heath's leading goalscorer for three successive seasons, from 1899–1900 to 1901–02, and was Chelsea's first ever £100 signing, playing in their first League game in September 1905. On 4 November 1905, as Chelsea beat Barnsley 6–0 in a home league match, McRoberts scored the club's first-ever penalty.

After retirement, he came back to Birmingham where in June 1911 he was appointed their first full-time professional team manager. Previously the team had been selected by a committee. He managed the club for four years.

McRoberts died in Birkenhead, England, at the age of 84.

Sources

• Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
• Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-010-2.

External links

• Chelsea F.C. official website