Christian Roberts
Encyclopedia
Christian Roberts is a Welsh
midfielder who currently plays for Haverfordwest County after retiring from professional football in September 2008, finishing his career with Swindon Town
.
Christian made a name for himself at Exeter City
where he scored 18 goals in 67 appearances before Bristol City
decided to snap him up. He had joined Exeter from Cardiff City
where he began his career as a trainee. However, he never fully established himself in the squad and was sold after being loaned out to Hereford United
and Drogheda United.
After a permanent deal for Darius Henderson
fell through, Swindon Town
manager Andy King moved quickly to sign Roberts from local rivals Bristol City, for an initial £20,000 - the rest of the £50,000 fee being paid in instalments based on appearances and performance. Roberts made his debut the following Saturday, scoring the winner for the Town in a 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic
on 16 October 2005. His second goal came just a week later, in a 2-2 draw at Barnsley
- Roberts was also giving some impressive performances, most notably in the two games with Sheffield Wednesday
- where firstly he played a major part in helping the Town come from 2-0 down with twelve minutes to go to win the league match 3-2, and then in mid-November, in a 4-1 victory in the FA Cup
.
Part of the deal with City meant that Roberts would not be eligible to play in any of the games against them during the season, but when the two sides were drawn together in the LDV Vans Trophy, City boss Brian Tinnion
gave permission for Roberts to play. Unfortunately though, a car accident on the way to the match kept him out of the game and the FA Cup tie with Notts County
at the weekend, when his car was hit by a bus, then crashed into another car as he pulled out of a petrol station near the County Ground
- and though he suffered minor whiplash and bruising, it was a lucky escape.
The incident was just the start of an injury-stricken period for Roberts - after being substituted during the Boxing Day win at Peterborough United
, he sat the next few games out with what was thought to be a simple groin injury. A visit to a specialist in mid-January highlighted a bigger problem though, and he was forced to undergo hernia surgery. It was mid-March before he returned to the first team, coming on as a substitute at Luton Town
, but the lay-off had obviously taken its toll - though he featured in all but one of the remaining games during the run-in - mainly on the right wing in an attacking five man midfield - in every one, he was either substitute or substituted during the match.
Having admitted to personal problems during the season, prior to the new campaign Roberts declared that the "little devils in my head are out of the way" - but with the arrival of Tony Thorpe
and Jamie Cureton
, throughout pre-season Roberts was utilised in the same wide-right berth instead of the central attacking role he preferred. Roberts sat out the season's opener, but started and scored in the following game against Oldham - when Rory Fallon
returned from suspension for the next match, Roberts found himself on the bench again. Though he was brought on ten times, he did not start another league game until the middle of October, when on his 26th birthday, he netted a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe - and just when it seemed that new manager Iffy Onuora
was about to give Roberts a longer chance in the first team, a toe injury kept him out for the next three weeks. He returned to feature as a second half substitute against his former club Bristol City
in mid-November, and though he played in the next four games, a change of formation for a relegation clash at Rotherham United
saw him dropped to the bench again - and when he came on, he received a knock to the leg that again sidelined him, before flu kept him out over the Christmas period.
Early in January though, problems that had been alluded to in the past were finally confirmed when it was announced that Roberts had been suffering from an alcohol problem for over a year. As Roberts checked into the Sporting Chance clinic to receive treatment for a 28 day period, manager Onuora praised him for facing up to his problems. Surprisingly, Roberts was back in action shortly after his treatment - making four substitute appearances before the end of a season that manager Onuora had previously stated had been "written off" as far as Roberts was concerned.
After Onuora's sacking in May 2006, Roberts made an instant impression on new manager Dennis Wise
- firstly, Wise bet that Roberts would score twenty goals in the coming season, offering to pay for a family holiday if he did so - and then, by installing Roberts as vice-captain for the new campaign.
This was then given to Jamie Vincent
under the new management of Paul Sturrock. As well as this, his right wing first team spot was also handed to Jon-Paul McGovern
and he had to settle for a squad rotation even after an impressive run in the first team.
On 25 September 2008 Roberts announced that he was retiring from professional football after he failed to recover from a micro-fracture in his knee, despite having surgery to repair it. Christian has now lined up a testimonial game with a Swindon select XI v a Chelsea XI (March 25, 2009) hoping the likes of Glenn Hoddle
, Gianfranco Zola
, Gus Poyet etc. can appear.
In August 2009, Roberts joined Welsh Football League Division Two side Maesteg Park
. Christian is now supporting show racism the red card. In January 2011, he signed for Welsh Premier side Haverfordwest County.
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...
midfielder who currently plays for Haverfordwest County after retiring from professional football in September 2008, finishing his career with Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
.
Christian made a name for himself at Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
where he scored 18 goals in 67 appearances before Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
decided to snap him up. He had joined Exeter from 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...
where he began his career as a trainee. However, he never fully established himself in the squad and was sold after being loaned out to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Drogheda United.
After a permanent deal for Darius Henderson
Darius Henderson
Darius Alexis Henderson is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Millwall.-Reading:...
fell through, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
manager Andy King moved quickly to sign Roberts from local rivals Bristol City, for an initial £20,000 - the rest of the £50,000 fee being paid in instalments based on appearances and performance. Roberts made his debut the following Saturday, scoring the winner for the Town in a 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
on 16 October 2005. His second goal came just a week later, in a 2-2 draw at Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
- Roberts was also giving some impressive performances, most notably in the two games with 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...
- where firstly he played a major part in helping the Town come from 2-0 down with twelve minutes to go to win the league match 3-2, and then in mid-November, in a 4-1 victory in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
.
Part of the deal with City meant that Roberts would not be eligible to play in any of the games against them during the season, but when the two sides were drawn together in the LDV Vans Trophy, City boss Brian Tinnion
Brian Tinnion
Brian Tinnion is a British former footballer and ex-manager. He made over 450 appearances for Bristol City, including a spell as player-manager...
gave permission for Roberts to play. Unfortunately though, a car accident on the way to the match kept him out of the game and the FA Cup tie with Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
at the weekend, when his car was hit by a bus, then crashed into another car as he pulled out of a petrol station near the County Ground
County Ground, Swindon
The County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
- and though he suffered minor whiplash and bruising, it was a lucky escape.
The incident was just the start of an injury-stricken period for Roberts - after being substituted during the Boxing Day win at Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, he sat the next few games out with what was thought to be a simple groin injury. A visit to a specialist in mid-January highlighted a bigger problem though, and he was forced to undergo hernia surgery. It was mid-March before he returned to the first team, coming on as a substitute at Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, but the lay-off had obviously taken its toll - though he featured in all but one of the remaining games during the run-in - mainly on the right wing in an attacking five man midfield - in every one, he was either substitute or substituted during the match.
Having admitted to personal problems during the season, prior to the new campaign Roberts declared that the "little devils in my head are out of the way" - but with the arrival of Tony Thorpe
Tony Thorpe
Anthony "Tony" Thorpe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Thurmaston Town. As a professional he notably played for Luton Town, Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers. He also played in the Football League for Reading, Rotherham United, Swindon Town, Colchester United and Grimsby Town...
and Jamie Cureton
Jamie Cureton
Jamie Cureton is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Leyton Orient.-Early years:Cureton began his professional career with Norwich City, before moving on to Bristol Rovers...
, throughout pre-season Roberts was utilised in the same wide-right berth instead of the central attacking role he preferred. Roberts sat out the season's opener, but started and scored in the following game against Oldham - when Rory Fallon
Rory Fallon
Rory Michael Fallon is a New Zealand footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen as a forward. He has previously played for Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Swindon Town, Yeovil Town, Swansea City, Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town. He has been capped by New Zealand at international...
returned from suspension for the next match, Roberts found himself on the bench again. Though he was brought on ten times, he did not start another league game until the middle of October, when on his 26th birthday, he netted a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe - and just when it seemed that new manager Iffy Onuora
Iffy Onuora
Ifem "Iffy" Onuora is a coach a former professional footballer born in Scotland of Nigerian descent.He was recently the head coach of the Ethiopia national team...
was about to give Roberts a longer chance in the first team, a toe injury kept him out for the next three weeks. He returned to feature as a second half substitute against his former club Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in mid-November, and though he played in the next four games, a change of formation for a relegation clash 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...
saw him dropped to the bench again - and when he came on, he received a knock to the leg that again sidelined him, before flu kept him out over the Christmas period.
Early in January though, problems that had been alluded to in the past were finally confirmed when it was announced that Roberts had been suffering from an alcohol problem for over a year. As Roberts checked into the Sporting Chance clinic to receive treatment for a 28 day period, manager Onuora praised him for facing up to his problems. Surprisingly, Roberts was back in action shortly after his treatment - making four substitute appearances before the end of a season that manager Onuora had previously stated had been "written off" as far as Roberts was concerned.
After Onuora's sacking in May 2006, Roberts made an instant impression on new manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
- firstly, Wise bet that Roberts would score twenty goals in the coming season, offering to pay for a family holiday if he did so - and then, by installing Roberts as vice-captain for the new campaign.
This was then given to Jamie Vincent
Jamie Vincent
Jamie Roy Vincent is an English footballer who currently plays for Didcot Town.-Career:Vincent was spotted by Mick Beard then Wimbledon where he played most of his youth football, before he began his career with Crystal Palace...
under the new management of Paul Sturrock. As well as this, his right wing first team spot was also handed to Jon-Paul McGovern
Jon-Paul McGovern
Jon-Paul McGovern is a professional footballer currently playing for Carlisle United.-Career:McGovern started his career at Celtic, whom he joined as a trainee before moving to Livingston the following year. His time playing in Scotland was sandwiched by a loan spell at Sheffield United. He joined...
and he had to settle for a squad rotation even after an impressive run in the first team.
On 25 September 2008 Roberts announced that he was retiring from professional football after he failed to recover from a micro-fracture in his knee, despite having surgery to repair it. Christian has now lined up a testimonial game with a Swindon select XI v a Chelsea XI (March 25, 2009) hoping the likes of Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
, Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is a retired Italian footballer and manager, who most recently managed West Ham United from 2008 to 2010, after having been assistant manager of the Italy U-21 under Pierluigi Casiraghi...
, Gus Poyet etc. can appear.
In August 2009, Roberts joined Welsh Football League Division Two side Maesteg Park
Maesteg Park A.F.C.
Maesteg Park A.F.C. was a Welsh football club based in Maesteg, Wales.-History:Formed in 1945, as Maesteg Park Athletic, they spent nearly twenty years in local league football prior to joining Division Two West of the Welsh Football League in 1962/63. Within six years the club gained promotion and...
. Christian is now supporting show racism the red card. In January 2011, he signed for Welsh Premier side Haverfordwest County.