Robert Rosario
Encyclopedia
Robert Michael Rosario is a retired English footballer
who played professionally for Norwich City
, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest before playing and coaching in the United States
.
saw potential in the tall striker and he signed for the Canaries shortly before Christmas in 1983. He made his league debut on 7 April 1984 against Watford at Carrow Road, a match that Norwich won 6-1. His first goal for the club came on 21 April 1984 in a 2-2 draw against Stoke City. However, he struggled to command a regular first team place and in the 1985-86 season had a loan spell at Wolves where he scored 1 goal in his 2 appearances. Robert's favourite recording artist is Fergal Sharkey.
Although Rosario was far from being a prolific goalscorer for the Canaries - he would score just 29 goals in 161 appearances for the club - he was selected for the England under-21s in April 1987 and played in a match against Turkey
. Rosario would win 3 further under-21 caps but effectively ended his chances of further caps when he and his Norwich team-mate Dale Gordon
broke curfew on an under-21 trip and went to a nightclub.
The highlight of Rosario's time at Carrow Road
came on 9 September 1989 when the first of his two goals in a 4-4 draw against Southampton would later be voted 'Goal of the Season' by ITV. But his lack of goals meant that he was not a favourite with the Carrow Road crowd and when Coventry City manager Terry Butcher
paid Norwich £600,000 for his services in March 1991 it was seen as good business by the majority of City fans.
- who for a while played Rosario in midfield. However, Rosario was a key provider of assists to the Coventry City attack of Peter Ndlovu
and (after his arrival in November 1992) Micky Quinn
. After Rosario was sold to Nottingham Forest
for £400,000 on 2 March 1993, Coventry's goals dried up and they fell to 15th in the final table after spending much of the campaign in the top five.
Meanwhile, Rosario joined Nottingham Forest as manager Brian Clough
made an attempt to guide Forest clear of relegation. It did not work, and Rosario would prove to be Clough's last signing. The night before Rosario was unveiled as a Forest player, the club announced that they had 'signed a well known first division player' to address their goalscoring problems. Rosario, unfortunately, was not the player that Forest supporters had in mind to meet what was required.
Rosario made 10 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal, as Forest finished bottom of the Premier League and Clough retired as manager after 18 years.
Frank Clark took over as manager of Forest and Rosario remained part of his plans for a Division One promotion challenge. He scored twice in 16 league games in 1993-94
and collected a Division One runners-up medal as Forest won promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, though he was not a regular first team player as both of his preferred positions were regularly occupied by other players - Stan Collymore
and Lee Glover
in attack, and Steve Stone
, Lars Bohinen
and Neil Webb
in midfield. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=43299
and played for Carolina Dynamo
(scoring 4 goals in 29 games) and Charleston Battery
(23 games 0 goals) before returning to Carolina Dynamos as player-coach, scoring 3 goals in 21 games. Rosario has remained in the United States to pursue his coaching career, having obtained his A class coaching licence with the US Soccer Federation. He currently coaches Elite Girls and Boys teams at North Meck Soccer Club in Cornelius, NC
Rosario had many of the physical attributes needed to be a successful striker - he was tall, powerful and well-built - but was never a regular goalscorer wherever he played and is typically not remembered with a great deal of fondness by supporters at the clubs where he played - Coventry City is certainly an exception, in this case while not a prolific scorer the team's ability to score disappeared with Rosario's knock downs. Others argue that his passing and first touch were not unreasonable and may have been better deployed in midfield.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played professionally for Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest before playing and coaching in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Norwich City FC
As a teenager, Rosario had unsuccessful trials with Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford FC and Watford FC. He played non-league football for Harrow Borough and Hillingdon Borough. Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
saw potential in the tall striker and he signed for the Canaries shortly before Christmas in 1983. He made his league debut on 7 April 1984 against Watford at Carrow Road, a match that Norwich won 6-1. His first goal for the club came on 21 April 1984 in a 2-2 draw against Stoke City. However, he struggled to command a regular first team place and in the 1985-86 season had a loan spell at Wolves where he scored 1 goal in his 2 appearances. Robert's favourite recording artist is Fergal Sharkey.
Although Rosario was far from being a prolific goalscorer for the Canaries - he would score just 29 goals in 161 appearances for the club - he was selected for the England under-21s in April 1987 and played in a match against Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Rosario would win 3 further under-21 caps but effectively ended his chances of further caps when he and his Norwich team-mate Dale Gordon
Dale Gordon
Dale Andrew Gordon is a former professional association football player who played for Norwich City, Rangers, West Ham United, Peterborough United, Millwall and AFC Bournemouth...
broke curfew on an under-21 trip and went to a nightclub.
The highlight of Rosario's time at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
came on 9 September 1989 when the first of his two goals in a 4-4 draw against Southampton would later be voted 'Goal of the Season' by ITV. But his lack of goals meant that he was not a favourite with the Carrow Road crowd and when Coventry City manager Terry Butcher
Terry Butcher
Terence Ian "Terry" Butcher is an English football manager and former player. He was a highly successful football player and made his name as an uncompromising defender with Ipswich Town and Rangers in the 1980s. He was also a captain of England and won 77 caps in a ten-year international career...
paid Norwich £600,000 for his services in March 1991 it was seen as good business by the majority of City fans.
Coventry and Nottingham Forest
Rosario struggled to make an impact with Coventry and scored just 8 goals in 59 games. He did not see eye to eye with Butcher's successor as manager - Bobby GouldBobby Gould
Robert Anthony "Bobby" Gould is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Coventry, Gould started his career at Coventry City, making his debut for the club whilst still an apprentice at the age of 16. He did not sign professional until June 1964...
- who for a while played Rosario in midfield. However, Rosario was a key provider of assists to the Coventry City attack of Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean footballer, who plays as a striker.-Coventry City:Ndlovu was originally spotted by John Sillett, prior to his official signing from Highlanders by Terry Butcher in July 1991...
and (after his arrival in November 1992) Micky Quinn
Micky Quinn
Michael "Micky" Quinn is a former footballer. He was predominantly a centre forward during a career in which he scored 228 goals from 515 games in the Football League.- Club career :...
. After Rosario was sold to 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...
for £400,000 on 2 March 1993, Coventry's goals dried up and they fell to 15th in the final table after spending much of the campaign in the top five.
Meanwhile, Rosario joined Nottingham Forest as manager Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
made an attempt to guide Forest clear of relegation. It did not work, and Rosario would prove to be Clough's last signing. The night before Rosario was unveiled as a Forest player, the club announced that they had 'signed a well known first division player' to address their goalscoring problems. Rosario, unfortunately, was not the player that Forest supporters had in mind to meet what was required.
Rosario made 10 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal, as Forest finished bottom of the Premier League and Clough retired as manager after 18 years.
Frank Clark took over as manager of Forest and Rosario remained part of his plans for a Division One promotion challenge. He scored twice in 16 league games in 1993-94
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
and collected a Division One runners-up medal as Forest won promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, though he was not a regular first team player as both of his preferred positions were regularly occupied by other players - Stan Collymore
Stan Collymore
Stanley Victor "Stan" Collymore is an English football pundit and former footballer, who played from 1990 until 2001. He held the British transfer record when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Liverpool for £8.5 million in 1995 and was capped three times at senior level by the England...
and Lee Glover
Lee Glover
Edward Lee Glover is a retired footballer, turned manager.His career started with Nottingham Forest in 1987, where he remained up until 1994, when he joined Port Vale. Two years later he signed with Rotherham United, staying with the Millers until 2000...
in attack, and Steve Stone
Steve Stone (footballer)
Steven Brian "Steve" Stone is an English former footballer and now part of the coaching staff at Newcastle United.-Club career:...
, Lars Bohinen
Lars Bohinen
Lars Roar Bohinen is a Norwegian former footballer.-Club level:His first professional club was Vålerenga, and he played for Viking, Young Boys Bern, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers, Derby County...
and Neil Webb
Neil Webb
Neil John Webb is an English former footballer and television pundit. He played as a midfielder and defender between 1980 and 1997 notably for Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United...
in midfield. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=43299
Coaching career
While at Forest, Rosario scored 3 goals in 26 games before sustaining the knee injury that eventually forced him to retire from professional football in England. He attempted to resurrect his career in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and played for Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
(scoring 4 goals in 29 games) and Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
(23 games 0 goals) before returning to Carolina Dynamos as player-coach, scoring 3 goals in 21 games. Rosario has remained in the United States to pursue his coaching career, having obtained his A class coaching licence with the US Soccer Federation. He currently coaches Elite Girls and Boys teams at North Meck Soccer Club in Cornelius, NC
Rosario had many of the physical attributes needed to be a successful striker - he was tall, powerful and well-built - but was never a regular goalscorer wherever he played and is typically not remembered with a great deal of fondness by supporters at the clubs where he played - Coventry City is certainly an exception, in this case while not a prolific scorer the team's ability to score disappeared with Rosario's knock downs. Others argue that his passing and first touch were not unreasonable and may have been better deployed in midfield.
External links
Sources
- Canary Citizens by Mike Davage, John Eastwood, Kevin Platt, published by Jarrold Publishing, (2001), ISBN 0-7117-2020-7