Bill Roberts (footballer, born 1859)


William "Bill" Roberts was a Welsh footballer who played as a forward for Wrexham, Wrexham Olympic and Rhostyllen Victoria in the 1880s and made four appearances for Wales, scoring once. He was the brother of Bob Roberts who also played for the two Wrexham clubs and twice for Wales.

Football career

Roberts was "always in the thickest of the fight", and was described as "tricky and comical, and occasionally brilliant". His playing career came before the advent of League football and his greatest success at club level was in the Welsh Cup, where he scored the only goal in the final of the 1882–83 tournament, thus enabling Wrexham to defeat Druids and claim the trophy for the second time.
He and his brother, Bob, made their international debuts on 27 February 1886 against Ireland in the opening match of the 1886 British Home Championship. The match ended as a 5–0 victory for the Welsh, with Bill Roberts scoring the opening goal. After defeats against England and Scotland, Roberts was not called up for the February 1887 match against England. After an injury to Robert Mills-Roberts in the warm-up for that match the Roberts brothers were both recalled for the match against Ireland in March 1887, with Bob serving as an emergency goalkeeper. This match was the finale to the brothers' international careers with Bob conceding four goals.

International appearances

Roberts made four appearances for Wales in official international matches, as follows:
DateVenueOpponentResultGoalsCompetition
27 February 1886Racecourse Ground, Wrexham11886 British Home Championship
29 March 1886Racecourse Ground, Wrexham01886 British Home Championship
10 April 1886Cathkin Park, Glasgow01886 British Home Championship
12 March 1887Oldpark Avenue, Belfast01887 British Home Championship

Career outside football

Roberts worked as coal-miner in his youth, but was later employed in a leather works.

Honours

;Wrexham