Gary Roberts (footballer born 1987)
Encyclopedia
Gary Steven Roberts is an English
footballer who plays for League Two
side Port Vale
. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills. However off the field he has struggled to control drink and gambling problems.
He started his career with Crewe Alexandra
in 2003, and made 133 league and cup appearances over the next five years. In 2008 he had a loan spell at Yeovil Town
, before he joined the club permanently the following year. He signed with Rotherham United
in November 2009, having impressed on trial, before he was released in summer 2010. Crewe, Yeovil and Rotherham all cited disciplinary problems as their reason for letting him go. He joined Port Vale in July 2010, having been handed a 'last chance' by manager Micky Adams
.
In addition to his domestic career, he has also represented England at under-16
, under-17
, under-18
and under-19
levels.
, also stated that Roberts has "talent and his passing ability is absolutely brilliant". The Crewe Alexandra website described him as "a combative, all action midfield player who also has a keen eye for a goal". However he has poor discipline, and has picked up many bookings over the course of his career.
's Crewe Alexandra
in 2004, on his 17th birthday, a few months after making his First Division
debut for the club in a 3–1 win over Burnley
on 26 December 2003. He later made a second appearance for the club against Wimbledon
. He played a key part in the club's FA Youth Cup
team which reached the semi-finals in 2004. However he missed much of the 2004–05 season with a serious knee injury, only returning to first team action for games against Sheffield United
and West Ham United
in March 2005.
Roberts established himself in the Crewe first team in the 2005–06 season, making 33 Championship
appearances and scoring two goals – against Millwall
and Hull City
. At the end of the season the club were relegated into League One
, though Roberts was still given a new three year contract, tying himself to the club until 2009.
Roberts became a key player in Crewe's bid for promotion in the 2006–07 season, playing mostly as a midfielder. He made nineteen appearances during the season, scoring three goals – against Swansea City
, Nottingham Forest
and Yeovil Town
. The first two goals came from the penalty
spot, as he built his reputation as a solid penalty taker. He also received the first red card of his professional career in October 2006, in a defeat at Bristol City
. He was dismissed for violent conduct after a challenge on Louis Carey
, though the referee's decision was reported as 'harsh' and 'strange' by the Bristol City website. That red card was the only sending off, and subsequent suspension, of the season for Crewe, as the club was awarded the 'Bobby Moore Fair Play award for outstanding conduct and discipline throughout the season'.
He scored the opening two goals of the 2007–08 season, in a 2–1 win over Brighton
at the Alexandra Stadium
. This led to him being named on the League One 'Team of the Week'. In 2007–08 his club once again had the best disciplinary record in the Football League. Once again Roberts received the only Crewe suspension and red card of the season, when he was given a second yellow card in a heavy defeat to Doncaster Rovers
. He received four yellow cards in the season, all of which were for unsporting behaviour. His disciplinary problems off the pitch also first began to come to light, as he was left out of the squad for the March 2008 match with Nottingham Forest
due to a "training ground incident". In June 2008 Roberts was placed on the transfer list by Crewe.
Cardiff City
were rumoured to be interested in signing Roberts, a fee of £150,000 was mentioned, but a transfer never materialised. Instead he trained alone all summer before being given another chance by Crewe boss Steve Holland. However he failed to turn up at the club for pre-season training.
Roberts joined Yeovil Town
on loan, initially for a four month spell, in August 2008. After impressing during his loan spell at Huish Park
, Roberts completed a permanent transfer to Yeovil for a nominal fee on 31 October 2008, with the deal officially going through on 1 January 2009. Roberts played 34 games for Yeovil during the 2008–09 season
, scoring two goals. In his final game for Yeovil against Cheltenham Town
he was sent-off. His girlfriend left him in May 2009, and Roberts was forced to move back in with his parents in Chester. On 5 August 2009, Roberts was suspended by Yeovil Town for a breach of club discipline and was released by mutual consent after reported drink and gambling problems, the final straw coming when he "turned up at a club-organised family fun day with the stench of alcohol on his breath". He later admitted his heart was not at the club, and that being alone in a hotel room away from his girlfriend and young son made it easier for him to turn to alcohol.
After he admitted to suffering from drink and gambling addictions he visited the Sporting Chance clinic
, determined to turn his life around. After his rehabilitation, he was originally offered a trial with League One
side Brighton & Hove Albion
, where he scored two goals in two reserve team games against Brentford
and Leyton Orient
. He left without an offer of a contract, but was offered another trial with League Two
side Rotherham United
, where he played in a reserves victory over Huddersfield Town
. On 12 November, Roberts was offered a contract with the "Millers". Manager Ronnie Moore
commented: "He's only 22 but has real talent... people say he comes with baggage but his attitude has been first class. I think he deserves a second chance." Later in the month Roberts signed a one month contract. The following month the option to extend Roberts' Rotherham deal until the end of the 2009–10 season
was taken. In his fifth appearance for Rotherham, a 4–2 win over Yorkshire
rivals Bradford City
, he scored his first goal for the club in 'sensational' fashion by finding the net with a free kick from fifty yards out. However in April 2010 it was announced he had been sacked from Rotherham for breaking club discipline rules several times. The club did not divulge what the final breach was; though the "bitterly disappointed" manager said that while the player was "full of remorse" his teammates would not be "too sorry to see him go".
He received interest from Micky Adams
' Port Vale
, and joined the club on trial in July 2010. Acknowledging "it's a last-chance saloon", Roberts said "I've learnt just not to be a plonker for all my life." He joined the team on their July pre-season trip to Ireland
, as Adams, already convinced of the player's talents, wanted to test Roberts' ability to stay away from his off-the-field demons. Roberts seemed to enjoy a good start to his Vale career, and after Adams' typically relentless pre-season fitness regime he claimed "I've turned the corner...I think I've got my act together but I've just got to keep living each day as it comes and as long as I wake up clean that's all that I need". He signed a six month contract at the end of the month. He started the season well, maintaining discipline off the pitch, and his first team place on it, forging a midfield partnership with Anthony Griffith
. As early as September he entered negotiations with the club to extend his contract, and Roberts quickly signed an extended contract to keep him at the club until the end of the season. However Micky Adams left the club in December 2010, and Roberts did not enjoy a happy relationship with new manager Jim Gannon
. Gannon dropped him to the bench after Roberts admitted he did not enjoy playing in a more advanced position; Vale fans showed their support for the player by chanting his name throughout a 1–0 win over Rotherham. He then picked up a three-match ban after receiving a red card for violent conduct in a reserve match against Nottingham Forest
. Gannon defended Roberts, believing the player was unlucky to be dismissed after he responded to a 'reckless' challenge by David Morgan by shoving Morgan to the ground. In March, speculation that he would leave Vale Park at the end of the season (or earlier) increased, as it was reported by BBC Radio Stoke
that the club had informed the player he could leave on loan. However Gannon denied this on the club's website, stating that there was "no substance" to the report. In fact he went on to say "he has a huge part to play" in the club's promotion campaign. His teammates also showed their support for him by celebrating goals with Roberts' celebration style during his absence; club captain Marc Richards
also dedicated his two goals against Shrewsbury Town
to Roberts. Gannon's reign was quickly terminated, but Roberts still struggled to regain his form under caretaker-manager Mark Grew
.
He signed a new one year deal with Vale in July 2011, after Micky Adams returned to the club as manager. After scoring five goals in his first nine games he admitted that "He [Adams] is the only manager that can control me so I think he gets the best out of me." However on 19 September he was given a fourteen day suspension by the club for 'a serious breach of club discipline', after he missed a day of training without any warning and then 'reported in unfit to carry out his duties' the following day; Adams said "I'm bitterly disappointed in him." He was also placed on the transfer list, as Adams stated "he's got a lot to do" before Roberts could think about a return to the first team. He made his return on 24 October, when Adams named him on the bench for a league clash with Bristol Rovers
.
, under-17
, under-18
, and under-19
levels.
He was in the England squad
for the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
. He played in all the matches, as England topped their group with a 2–0 win over Ukraine
, a 3–1 win over Portugal, and a 1–0 victory over Austria
. The team were eliminated at the semi-final stage by a Cesc Fàbregas
penalty for Spain
. He was sent off in the Third Place play-off against Portugal
, as the team went on to lose in a penalty shootout.
He captained England under-18s
in a goalless draw with Norway at Vale Park
on 10 June 2005.
On 20 May 2006, Roberts scored the winning goal as the England under-19's beat Northern Ireland under-19's 2–1 in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship
elite qualification
game in Belgium
. He also played in the 2–1 defeat to Belgium, and 1–0 loss to Serbia and Montenegro; as England finished a disappointing last place in their group, failing to qualify for the tournament.
he describes as "one of the roughest council estates in the country"; he still resides there as of 2011.
Roberts has attended the Sporting Chance clinic
for treatment of the drink
and gambling problems which have dogged and severely damaged his football career; speaking of it all Roberts has said "I really can't believe what's happened to me. What's happened to my life." He has put his addiction problems down to "boredom". He also said that "I'm not one of these people who can have one drink and stop. I want another and another and another." His drink problems began after he developed a gambling habit in 2007. His addiction to betting on horse racing
cost him £3,000 a month, and left him asking friends and family for money.
|2003–04||Crewe Alexandra
||First Division
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2004–05||Crewe Alexandra
||Championship
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2005–06||Crewe Alexandra
||Championship
||33||2||1||0||0||0||34||2
|-
|2006–07||Crewe Alexandra
|||League One
||43||3||1||0||1||0||50||3
|-
|2007–08||Crewe Alexandra
||League One
||42||6||2||0||1||0||45||6
|-
|2008–09||Yeovil Town
||League One
||30||2||2||0||1||0||34||2
|-
|2009–10
||Rotherham United
||League Two
||13||3||2||0||0||0||15||3
|-
|2010–11
||Port Vale
||League Two
||35||2||4||0||2||0||43||2
|-
|2011–12
||Port Vale
||League Two
||11||4||2||0||1||1||15||5
|-
211||22||14||0||6||1||240||23
211||22||14||0||6||1||240||23
Notes:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. A deep-lying playmaker, he has been praised for his vision and ball distribution skills. However off the field he has struggled to control drink and gambling problems.
He started his career with Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in 2003, and made 133 league and cup appearances over the next five years. In 2008 he had a loan spell at Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, before he joined the club permanently the following year. He signed with 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...
in November 2009, having impressed on trial, before he was released in summer 2010. Crewe, Yeovil and Rotherham all cited disciplinary problems as their reason for letting him go. He joined Port Vale in July 2010, having been handed a 'last chance' by manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
.
In addition to his domestic career, he has also represented England at under-16
England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
, under-17
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
, under-18
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
and under-19
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
levels.
Playing style
His manager at Rotherham, Ronnie MooreRonnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
, also stated that Roberts has "talent and his passing ability is absolutely brilliant". The Crewe Alexandra website described him as "a combative, all action midfield player who also has a keen eye for a goal". However he has poor discipline, and has picked up many bookings over the course of his career.
Club career
Roberts signed as a professional with Dario GradiDario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
's Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in 2004, on his 17th birthday, a few months after making his First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
debut for the club in a 3–1 win over Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 26 December 2003. He later made a second appearance for the club 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...
. He played a key part in the club's 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...
team which reached the semi-finals in 2004. However he missed much of the 2004–05 season with a serious knee injury, only returning to first team action for games against 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...
and 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...
in March 2005.
Roberts established himself in the Crewe first team in the 2005–06 season, making 33 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...
appearances and scoring two goals – against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
. At the end of the season the club were relegated into 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....
, though Roberts was still given a new three year contract, tying himself to the club until 2009.
Roberts became a key player in Crewe's bid for promotion in the 2006–07 season, playing mostly as a midfielder. He made nineteen appearances during the season, scoring three goals – against Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
, 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...
and Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
. The first two goals came from the penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
spot, as he built his reputation as a solid penalty taker. He also received the first red card of his professional career in October 2006, in a defeat at 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...
. He was dismissed for violent conduct after a challenge on Louis Carey
Louis Carey
Louis Anthony Carey is a central defender currently playing for Bristol City. Though born in England, Carey is eligible to play for Scotland at international level through his grandparents, and has played once for Scotland's under-21 team.-Bristol City:Carey is a self-proclaimed Bristol City...
, though the referee's decision was reported as 'harsh' and 'strange' by the Bristol City website. That red card was the only sending off, and subsequent suspension, of the season for Crewe, as the club was awarded the 'Bobby Moore Fair Play award for outstanding conduct and discipline throughout the season'.
He scored the opening two goals of the 2007–08 season, in a 2–1 win over Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
at the Alexandra Stadium
Alexandra Stadium
The Alexandra Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Crewe, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crewe Alexandra...
. This led to him being named on the League One 'Team of the Week'. In 2007–08 his club once again had the best disciplinary record in the Football League. Once again Roberts received the only Crewe suspension and red card of the season, when he was given a second yellow card in a heavy defeat to 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...
. He received four yellow cards in the season, all of which were for unsporting behaviour. His disciplinary problems off the pitch also first began to come to light, as he was left out of the squad for the March 2008 match with 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...
due to a "training ground incident". In June 2008 Roberts was placed on the transfer list by Crewe.
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...
were rumoured to be interested in signing Roberts, a fee of £150,000 was mentioned, but a transfer never materialised. Instead he trained alone all summer before being given another chance by Crewe boss Steve Holland. However he failed to turn up at the club for pre-season training.
Roberts joined Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
on loan, initially for a four month spell, in August 2008. After impressing during his loan spell at Huish Park
Huish Park
Huish Park is a football ground in the suburbs of Yeovil, Somerset, England and is the home ground of Yeovil Town Football Club. The stadium replaced the club's previous ground, The Huish famous for numerous FA Cup giant-killings was officially opened on 4 August 1990, with a match against then...
, Roberts completed a permanent transfer to Yeovil for a nominal fee on 31 October 2008, with the deal officially going through on 1 January 2009. Roberts played 34 games for Yeovil during the 2008–09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
, scoring two goals. In his final game for Yeovil against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
he was sent-off. His girlfriend left him in May 2009, and Roberts was forced to move back in with his parents in Chester. On 5 August 2009, Roberts was suspended by Yeovil Town for a breach of club discipline and was released by mutual consent after reported drink and gambling problems, the final straw coming when he "turned up at a club-organised family fun day with the stench of alcohol on his breath". He later admitted his heart was not at the club, and that being alone in a hotel room away from his girlfriend and young son made it easier for him to turn to alcohol.
After he admitted to suffering from drink and gambling addictions he visited the Sporting Chance clinic
Sporting Chance clinic
The Sporting Chance Clinic is a registered British based charity, first set up by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams to provide a specialist addiction and recovery facility for sportsmen and women....
, determined to turn his life around. After his rehabilitation, he was originally offered a trial with 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....
side Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, where he scored two goals in two reserve team games against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
and 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...
. He left without an offer of a contract, but was offered another trial with League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side 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...
, where he played in a reserves victory over Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. On 12 November, Roberts was offered a contract with the "Millers". Manager Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
commented: "He's only 22 but has real talent... people say he comes with baggage but his attitude has been first class. I think he deserves a second chance." Later in the month Roberts signed a one month contract. The following month the option to extend Roberts' Rotherham deal until the end of the 2009–10 season
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
was taken. In his fifth appearance for Rotherham, a 4–2 win over Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
rivals Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, he scored his first goal for the club in 'sensational' fashion by finding the net with a free kick from fifty yards out. However in April 2010 it was announced he had been sacked from Rotherham for breaking club discipline rules several times. The club did not divulge what the final breach was; though the "bitterly disappointed" manager said that while the player was "full of remorse" his teammates would not be "too sorry to see him go".
He received interest from Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
' Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, and joined the club on trial in July 2010. Acknowledging "it's a last-chance saloon", Roberts said "I've learnt just not to be a plonker for all my life." He joined the team on their July pre-season trip to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, as Adams, already convinced of the player's talents, wanted to test Roberts' ability to stay away from his off-the-field demons. Roberts seemed to enjoy a good start to his Vale career, and after Adams' typically relentless pre-season fitness regime he claimed "I've turned the corner...I think I've got my act together but I've just got to keep living each day as it comes and as long as I wake up clean that's all that I need". He signed a six month contract at the end of the month. He started the season well, maintaining discipline off the pitch, and his first team place on it, forging a midfield partnership with Anthony Griffith
Anthony Griffith
Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team...
. As early as September he entered negotiations with the club to extend his contract, and Roberts quickly signed an extended contract to keep him at the club until the end of the season. However Micky Adams left the club in December 2010, and Roberts did not enjoy a happy relationship with new manager Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
. Gannon dropped him to the bench after Roberts admitted he did not enjoy playing in a more advanced position; Vale fans showed their support for the player by chanting his name throughout a 1–0 win over Rotherham. He then picked up a three-match ban after receiving a red card for violent conduct in a reserve match against 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...
. Gannon defended Roberts, believing the player was unlucky to be dismissed after he responded to a 'reckless' challenge by David Morgan by shoving Morgan to the ground. In March, speculation that he would leave Vale Park at the end of the season (or earlier) increased, as it was reported by BBC Radio Stoke
BBC Radio Stoke
BBC Radio Stoke is a BBC Local Radio station in England, for the area of North and Mid Staffordshire, north east Shropshire and South Cheshire. The station began broadcasting programmes on 14 March 1968 as BBC Radio Stoke-on-Trent....
that the club had informed the player he could leave on loan. However Gannon denied this on the club's website, stating that there was "no substance" to the report. In fact he went on to say "he has a huge part to play" in the club's promotion campaign. His teammates also showed their support for him by celebrating goals with Roberts' celebration style during his absence; club captain Marc Richards
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
also dedicated his two goals against Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
to Roberts. Gannon's reign was quickly terminated, but Roberts still struggled to regain his form under caretaker-manager Mark Grew
Mark Grew
Mark Stuart Grew is an English former football goalkeeper, now assistant manager to Micky Adams at Port Vale. On three occasions he has also served as the club's caretaker-manager, most recently from March to May in 2011....
.
He signed a new one year deal with Vale in July 2011, after Micky Adams returned to the club as manager. After scoring five goals in his first nine games he admitted that "He [Adams] is the only manager that can control me so I think he gets the best out of me." However on 19 September he was given a fourteen day suspension by the club for 'a serious breach of club discipline', after he missed a day of training without any warning and then 'reported in unfit to carry out his duties' the following day; Adams said "I'm bitterly disappointed in him." He was also placed on the transfer list, as Adams stated "he's got a lot to do" before Roberts could think about a return to the first team. He made his return on 24 October, when Adams named him on the bench for a league clash with 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....
.
International career
Roberts has played for England at under-16England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
, under-17
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
, under-18
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
, and under-19
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
levels.
He was in the England squad
2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship squads
Those marked in bold have now been capped at full International level.-=Head coach: Philippe Bergeroo:=Head coach: Kenny Shiels-=Head coach: Juan Santisteban:=Head coach:-=...
for the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Semifinals:-----Third Place Playoff:-Final:-References:**...
. He played in all the matches, as England topped their group with a 2–0 win over Ukraine
Ukraine national under-17 football team
The Ukraine national under-17 football team represents Ukraine in international football at this age level and is controlled by Football Federation of Ukraine, the governing body for football in Ukraine....
, a 3–1 win over Portugal, and a 1–0 victory over Austria
Austria national under-17 football team
The Austria national under-17 football team represents Austria in international football at this age level and is controlled by Austrian Football Association, the governing body for football in Austria....
. The team were eliminated at the semi-final stage by a Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
penalty for Spain
Spain national under-17 football team
The Spain national under-17 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain....
. He was sent off in the Third Place play-off against Portugal
Portugal national under-17 football team
The Portugal national under-17 football team represents Portugal in international football at this age level and is controlled by Federação Portuguesa de Futebol, the governing body for football in Portugal.-FIFA U-17 World Cup Championship Record:...
, as the team went on to lose in a penalty shootout.
He captained England under-18s
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
in a goalless draw with Norway at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
on 10 June 2005.
On 20 May 2006, Roberts scored the winning goal as the England under-19's beat Northern Ireland under-19's 2–1 in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship
UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
elite qualification
2006 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
UEFA U-19 Championship 2006 is the second round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of UEFA U-19 Championship 2006. Spain, England, and Czech Republic automatically qualify for this round...
game in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He also played in the 2–1 defeat to Belgium, and 1–0 loss to Serbia and Montenegro; as England finished a disappointing last place in their group, failing to qualify for the tournament.
Personal life
Roberts has a son, born around 2005. He was born and raised in an area of ChesterChester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
he describes as "one of the roughest council estates in the country"; he still resides there as of 2011.
Roberts has attended the Sporting Chance clinic
Sporting Chance clinic
The Sporting Chance Clinic is a registered British based charity, first set up by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams to provide a specialist addiction and recovery facility for sportsmen and women....
for treatment of the drink
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and gambling problems which have dogged and severely damaged his football career; speaking of it all Roberts has said "I really can't believe what's happened to me. What's happened to my life." He has put his addiction problems down to "boredom". He also said that "I'm not one of these people who can have one drink and stop. I want another and another and another." His drink problems began after he developed a gambling habit in 2007. His addiction to betting on horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
cost him £3,000 a month, and left him asking friends and family for money.
Club level
|-|2003–04||Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
||First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2004–05||Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
||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...
||2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2005–06||Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
||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...
||33||2||1||0||0||0||34||2
|-
|2006–07||Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
|||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....
||43||3||1||0||1||0||50||3
|-
|2007–08||Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
||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....
||42||6||2||0||1||0||45||6
|-
|2008–09||Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
||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....
||30||2||2||0||1||0||34||2
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Football League
The Football League 2009–10, called the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 110th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2009 and concluded in May 2010, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The...
||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...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||13||3||2||0||0||0||15||3
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||35||2||4||0||2||0||43||2
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||11||4||2||0||1||1||15||5
|-
211||22||14||0||6||1||240||23
211||22||14||0||6||1||240||23
Notes:
- 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...
results included in totals.
External links
(details of his first two seasons at Crewe are missing)- Profile at the official Port Vale site