Roger Osborne
Encyclopedia
Roger Charles Osborne is a former professional footballer who is best known for scoring the winning goal in the 1978 FA Cup Final
.
, Suffolk
in 1950, Osborne was signed by Ipswich Town
from Suffolk & Ipswich League
club Grundisburgh
in March 1971. He made his league debut on October 27, 1973 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Portman Road, Ipswich Town winning 2-0.
In 1978 he was part of the Ipswich team that won the FA Cup
against Arsenal
, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory. His celebration upon scoring the winning goal caused him to faint and be substituted with only ten minutes of the match remaining. In 1979 he was loaned to NASL
side Detroit Express
, for whom he played 22 matches.
In 1981 he moved to Colchester United
in 1981 where he played out until 1986, making over 200 appearances. After retiring from professional football, he worked as a lorry driver and at the Willis Faber Sports Centre in Rushmere St Andrew, which was run by former Colchester
manager Dick Graham. He also played for non-League clubs Sudbury Town
, Braintree Town
, Felixstowe Port & Town
and SIL club Westerfield
, whom he also managed.
Today Osborne is the manager of the sports centre, now known as the Rushmere Sports Centre.
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
.
Biography
Born in OtleyOtley, Suffolk
Otley is a village located in the county of Suffolk, England, about eight miles north of Ipswich. The village is home to Otley Hall, a 16th century, Grade I listed house which was historically the seat of the family of Bartholomew Gosnold, and Otley College, offering vocationally focused courses...
, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
in 1950, Osborne was signed by Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
from Suffolk & Ipswich League
Suffolk and Ipswich Football League
The Suffolk and Ipswich Football League is a football competition based in Suffolk, England. The league has a total of nine divisions; the Senior Division, divisions 1–6 and two reserve divisions. The Senior Division is at step 7 of the National League System.The Senior Division champions may...
club Grundisburgh
Grundisburgh
Grundisburgh is a village of more than 1,530 residents situated in the English county of Suffolk. It is in the Suffolk Coastal district, six miles north-east from Ipswich and four miles north-west of Woodbridge located on the B1079. Flowing through the village are the rivers Lark and Gull...
in March 1971. He made his league debut on October 27, 1973 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Portman Road, Ipswich Town winning 2-0.
In 1978 he was part of the Ipswich team that won 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...
against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory. His celebration upon scoring the winning goal caused him to faint and be substituted with only ten minutes of the match remaining. In 1979 he was loaned to NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
side Detroit Express
Detroit Express
The Detroit Express was a soccer team based in suburban Detroit that played in the now defunct North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Its home field was the Pontiac Silverdome. The Express were co-owned and directed by famous English soccer pundit Jimmy Hill who was also the managing...
, for whom he played 22 matches.
In 1981 he moved to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in 1981 where he played out until 1986, making over 200 appearances. After retiring from professional football, he worked as a lorry driver and at the Willis Faber Sports Centre in Rushmere St Andrew, which was run by former Colchester
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
manager Dick Graham. He also played for non-League clubs Sudbury Town
Sudbury Town F.C.
Sudbury Town F.C. was an English football club based in Sudbury, Suffolk. Established in 1885, the club merged with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999 to form A.F.C. Sudbury.-History:...
, Braintree Town
Braintree Town F.C.
Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
, Felixstowe Port & Town
Felixstowe & Walton United F.C.
Felixstowe and Walton United F.C. is an English football club based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Formed in 2000 by a merger of Felixstowe Port & Town and Walton United, the club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Dellwood Avenue.-Felixstowe Port &...
and SIL club Westerfield
Westerfield
Westerfield is a village in Suffolk, England.It is located approximately two miles north of the centre of Ipswich. The village is served by Westerfield railway station on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line....
, whom he also managed.
Today Osborne is the manager of the sports centre, now known as the Rushmere Sports Centre.