Iwan Roberts

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Iwan Roberts
Personal information
Full name Iwan Wyn Roberts
Date of birth June 26, 1968 (1968-06-26) (age 39)
Place of birth    Bangor, Wales
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Playing position Striker
Youth clubs
1985–1986 Watford
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1986–1990
1990–1993
1993–1996
1996–1997
1997–2004
2004–2006
2005		 Watford
Huddersfield Town
Leicester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City
Gillingham
→Cambridge United (loan)
Total		 063 00(9)
142 0(50)
100 0(41)
033 0(12)
278 0(84)
020 00(3)
011 00(3)
647 (202)   
National team2
1992–2001 Wales 015 00(0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 11:31, 2 May 2008 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 11:31, 2 May 2008 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Iwan Wyn Roberts (born 26 June 1968 in Bangor, Gwynedd)[2] is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a striker for a number of English league clubs. The most notable period of his club career was with Norwich City. Local Norwich football newspaper The Pink'un described him as "one of the greatest goal scorers ever to pull on a Norwich City shirt."[3]

He also played international football, representing Wales, winning 15 caps without scoring.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Roberts grew up in Downham and played schoolboy football for his school and local side Caernarfon Town.[citation needed]

He began his professional career at Watford, when he joined as a trainee in 1985, signing his first professional contract in July 1986, shortly after his 18th birthday.[4]

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Watford F.C.

One of his contemporaries at Watford was future Norwich manager, Glenn Roeder. Roberts remembers Roeder as "an absolute gentleman... I can't speak highly enough of him. He helped me a great deal with his experience and any problems that the young lads had they knew he would help them with."[5] He scored 9 goals in 63 games for the Hornets before moving to Huddersfield Town prior to the start of the 1990–91 season.[1]

[edit] Huddersfield Town F.C.

His form for Huddersfield - where he scored 50 goals in 142 games - got him noticed by other clubs[citation needed] and in November 1993 he was signed by Leicester City.[1]

[edit] Leicester City F.C.

Roberts scored 41 goals in 100 games for Leicester.[1]

[edit] Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

His goals and performances for Leicester persuaded Wolves to sign him in the summer of 1996. He spent only one season at Molineux and confirmed in his 2004 autobiography that he did not enjoy his time there and does not have any fondness for the club, due largely to the mentality of many Wolves supporters. He did, however, score a hat-trick for the club in a match against their bitter local rivals West Bromwich Albion and, overall, scored 12 goals in 33 games.

Roberts was called up to represent his country against Holland in May 1992.[6]

[edit] Norwich City F.C.

In July 1997, Norwich City manager Mike Walker paid £850,000 to Wolves to secure the services of Roberts.[7] Roberts spent seven years at Carrow Road and they were undoubtedly the best seven years of his career.[citation needed] By the time he was released by Norwich in the summer of 2004 he had acquired legendary status amongst City supporters; he "is hero-worshipped when he walks the streets of the city".[8]

His time at the club did not begin happily, however. Following his debut in August 1997, he struggled throughout the 1997–98 season and scored just 7 goals; "there were certainly those in the stands who were questioning whether he was worth the near £1,000,000 splashed out on him".[2]

"He played eight games in Division One before finally breaking his league duck... He then played another eight matches before his next goal but, gradually, his fitness levels began to improve."[2] He'd scored just four goals in most of a season. However, "three goals in the final two home games of the season left in good heart for the next campaign".[2]

Walker left the club shortly before the end of the season and was replaced during the summer by Bruce Rioch.

"Walker had left by time the 1998–99 season got under way but his decision to spend big money on Roberts was quickly vindicated as the powerful frontman netted 23 goals in partnership with the flourishing talent of Craig Bellamy who weighed with 19 to earn Bruce Rioch’s side a place in the top half of the table."[2]

Roberts worked hard on his fitness and the following season saw him finish as the club's top goalscorer with 23 goals in 51 games. Norwich fans voted him player of the season. In the 1999–00 season he was again top scorer (19 goals in 49 games) and retained the player of the season award. He just missed out on becoming the first player in the club's history to win the award 3 years in a row when Andy Marshall finished narrowly ahead of him in the voting for the 2000–01 season.[citation needed]

During that 1999–2000 campaign there was speculation about Roberts's future as his contract was due to expire in the summer of 2000. Shortly after he signed a contract extension in January of that season, Bruce Rioch left the club and was succeeded by Bryan Hamilton. Roberts helped Hamilton make a good start when he scored both goals in a 2–0 win at Portman Road against City's rivals Ipswich Town F.C. on 19 March 2000.[9] However, Roberts and Hamilton did not have a good relationship during the Ulsterman's short spell in charge and after Hamilton left the club during the 2000–01 season, Roberts intimated that if he had known that Hamilton was going to succeed Rioch then he would not have signed his contract extension.[citation needed]

Although Roberts was personally enjoying the most productive spell of his career, his four years so far at Carrow Road had seen the club struggle. They had barely threatened to qualify for the end of season play-offs and in the 2000–01 campaign had struggled against relegation from Division One. The 2001–02 season - with new manager Nigel Worthington in his first full season in charge - saw the team fare better and they reached the division one play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Roberts missed much of the second half of the season because of injury, but came off the substitute's bench in the final to give Norwich the lead in the first minute of extra-time with a clinically-taken headed goal. Norwich lost the match in a penalty shoot-out after Birmingham had equalised. Roberts took - and scored - the first penalty of the shoot-out but misses by Phil Mulryne and Daryl Sutch proved costly as Birmingham were promoted to the Premiership.[10]

During the 2002–03 season, Roberts captained the Norwich City team. That season, in a match against Sheffield Wednesday at Carrow Road, Roberts scored twice to move into third place on the list of Norwich City's all-time leading goalscorers, overtaking Robert Fleck in the process.[11] The season overall, however, was not a happy one for Roberts or Norwich.[citation needed] The Canaries faded after a good start to the season and failed to qualify for the play-offs, while Roberts scored just 7 goals in 47 games leading many supporters to believe that his best days were behind him. The 2003–04 season would be his last at Carrow Road and although he was no longer an automatic selection for the first team he played an important part in one of the club's best-ever seasons. The team won the division one championship in style and were promoted to the premiership.[citation needed] Roberts weighed in with some crucial goals, including the winning goal in a top-of-the-table match against Sheffield United.[12] Roberts revealed in his autobiography that in February of that season he had a cancer scare and had to have a malignant melanoma removed from his arm.[13]

A few days before the club's last home match of that 2003–04 season, Norwich manager Nigel Worthington announced that Roberts would not be offered a new contract when his deal expired that summer. Worthington felt that, following promotion to the Premiership, the club had to look to the future and that Roberts was now surplus to requirements.[14] The Norwich supporters gave him a rapturous reception at his last match for the club at Carrow Road and during the post-match promotion celebrations Roberts wore a T-shirt that bore the legend 'Thanks for 7 great years'.[citation needed] With the championship already won, Worthington restored Roberts to the starting line-up for the last game of the season at Gresty Road against Crewe Alexandra and made him captain for the day. Roberts scored twice as City won 3–1. The first of his goals that day is rated by many Norwich fans as one of the best that he ever scored for the club. Overall, he scored 96 goals in 306 games for Norwich. "Iwan Roberts scored two goals, one of them an absolute corker, to bring the curtain down on a wonderful career in highly appropriate fashion."[3]

In 2002, Roberts was made an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame.[15] In 2007, Roberts came third in a vote run Norwich Evening News to determine which Norwich legend would be inaugurated into the Professional Footballers' Association Centenary Hall of Fame.[16]

[edit] Gillingham F.C. and Cambridge United F.C.

After being released by Norwich, there was much speculation regarding his next career move. He received a number of offers but eventually signed a two year contract with Gillingham where he would be player/coach.[14] It did not prove a good move for Roberts and he had a number of disgreements with the club, particularly after Stan Ternent had succeeded Andy Hessenthaler as manager.[17] In March 2005 he joined Cambridge United on loan until the end of the season.[18] Cambridge were relegated from League Two.[19] In August 2005, Roberts retired from playing after reaching an agreement with Gillingham to pay the final year of his contract.[20]

[edit] Style of play

Iwan Roberts has been known as a powerful header of the ball and has therefore often been used as targetman throughout his career.

[edit] Book controversy

Roberts' diary
Roberts' diary

In 2004, Roberts published an account of his last season at Norwich, entitled "All I want for Christmas". It proved controversial, leading to a three match ban for admitting a deliberate stamp on Wolves defender Kevin Muscat, an incident that had taken place in 2000. Roberts stated in the book that the stamp was a payback for the injury that Muscat had inflicted on Craig Bellamy while Bellamy and Roberts were playing together for Norwich.

The suspension "left “a bitter taste” for Iwan - especially after England captain David Beckham escaped without a punishment for his deliberate foul in the World Cup qualifier against Wales."[8] The Football Association said there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Beckham with bringing the game into disrepute. This was "despite his admission in The Daily Telegraph and subsequent apology."[21] At the time, Roberts told The Daily Telegraph, "I do not want players to get suspensions and fines, but there must be consistency, regardless of who the player is."[21]

[edit] Outside football

Roberts has the UEFA A coaching licence and currently works for BBC Wales, but has not ruled out getting into management. He told the Eastern Daily Press, "I've done my qualifications. It's just getting a club to give me a chance and taking it."[5]

When Norwich sacked manager Nigel Worthington, Roberts applied for the manager's job. "I tried to go for it... knowing I wasn't going to get it but I'd never really been for an interview and I thought if I did it would stand me in good stead. But I never got a response from the club and that really disappointed me. A week after Peter Grant got the job I got a letter through the post saying 'We won't be considering you this time'. And I thought 'I've known that for the past seven days'."[5]

He does media work, including Welsh language commentary for Sky Sports and Radio Cymru.[22][citation needed] He speaks fluent Welsh and also works for BBC Wales.[23] Roberts is married to Julie and they have three children.[8] Among his charity work has been a connection with Norwich anti-drugs cause the Matthew Project.[24]

[edit] Career statistics

Club Performance[1] [25]
Club Season League Two FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Cambridge United 2004–05 11 3 — — — — — — — — 11 3
Subtotal 11 3 — — — — — — — — 11 3
Club Season Championship FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Gillingham 2004–05 22 3 1 0 1 0 — — — — 24 3
Subtotal 22 3 1 0 1 0 — — — — 24 3
Club Season Championship FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Norwich City 2003–04 41 8 1 0 — — — — — — 42 8
2002–03 43 7 3 0 1 0 — — — — 47 7
2001–02 30 8 — — 1 0 — — 3 1 34 9
2000–01 44 15 1 1 5 3 — — — — 50 19
1999–2000 44 17 1 0 4 2 — — — — 49 19
1998–99 45 19 1 1 5 3 — — — — 51 23
1997–98 31 5 — — 1 1 — — — — 32 6
Subtotal 278 84 7 2 18 10 — — 3 1 306 97
Club Season Division One FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1996–97 33 12 1 0 2 0 — — 2 0 38 12
Subtotal 33 12 1 0 2 0 — — 2 0 38 12
Club Season Division One FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Leicester City 1995–96 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
Club Season Premiership FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Leicester City 1994–95 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
Club Season Division One FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Leicester City 1993–94 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
Subtotal 100 41 5 2 5 1 — — 1 0 111 44
Club Season Division Two FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Huddersfield Town 1993–94 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1992–93 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1991–92 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1990–91 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
Subtotal 142 50 12 4 14 6 — — 14 8 182 68
Club Season Division Two FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Watford 1989–90 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1988–89 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1987–88 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1986–87 ? ? ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
1985–86 4 0 ? ? ? ? — — ? ? ? ?
Subtotal 63 9 7 0 8 3 — — 5 0 83 12
Grand total 647 202 33 8 48 20 — — 25 9 753 239

(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)

International Appearances[26][27][28]
National team Season Apps Goals
Wales 1989–90 1 (0) 0
1991–92 3 (0) 0
1993–94 0 (1) 0
1994–95 1 (1) 0
1999–2000 2 (1) 0
2000–01 1 (2) 0
2001–02 1 (1) 0
Total 9 (6) 0

(Statistics correct as of 8 November 2007)
(Brackets indicate substitute appearances)

  • Roberts is 3rd on the all-time list of Norwich City goal-scorers.[2]

[edit] Honours

  • First division play-offs winner 1996
  • First division championship winner 2004
  • Norwich City player of the year 1999, 2000
  • Among inaugural members of Norwich City Hall of Fame 2003

[edit] External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Malky Mackay		 Norwich City Captain
2002-2003		 Succeeded by
Adam Drury

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Iwan Roberts career statistics. Soccerbase. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The goal kings. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  3. ^ a b Chris Wise (9 May 2004). Crewe Alexandra 1, Norwich City 3. The Pink 'Un. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  4. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005. Queen Anne Press, p525. ISBN 1852916656. 
  5. ^ a b c Iwan backs new boss to inspire Hucks. Eastern Daily Press (2 November 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  6. ^ Football: Roberts not ready to quit Wales yet. South Wales Argus (25 March 2002). Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  7. ^ Norwich release Roberts. BBC Sport (29 April 2004). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  8. ^ a b c Norfolk still Iwan’s ideal. The Pink'un (27 November 2004). Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  9. ^ Football League Championship - Ipswich 0–2 Norwich at Portman Road 19-03-2000. Soccerbase. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  10. ^ Birmingham reach Premiership. BBC Sport (12 May 2002). Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  11. ^ Canary Stats - All-time leading goalscorers. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  12. ^ Football League Championship - Norwich 1–0 Sheff Utd - 31-01-2004. Soccerbase. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  13. ^ Roberts had cancer scare. BBC Sport (26 June 2004). Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  14. ^ a b Iwan Roberts signs to Gillingham. BBC Norfolk (28 June 2004). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  15. ^ Canary Stats - Norwich City Hall of Fame. Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  16. ^ Keelan tops legends' poll. The Pink'un (24 July 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
  17. ^ Roberts makes 'bitter' Gills exit. BBC Sport (25 August 2005). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  18. ^ Iwan Roberts - In Focus. Cambridge United F.C. (23 April 2005). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  19. ^ Cambridge United Potted History. Cambridge United F.C. (15 July 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  20. ^ Iwan Roberts. Flown from the Nest. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  21. ^ a b Mark Hodgkinson (22 October 2004). Roberts slams FA. Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  22. ^ BBC Cymru Wales. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  23. ^ Iwan hoping for Town party too!. icHuddersfield (4 March 2006). Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
  24. ^ City drugs project helps thousands. Good news for Norwich. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  25. ^ Iwan Roberts. sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
  26. ^ Wales - International Results 1980-1989 - Details. RSSSF.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  27. ^ Wales - International Results 1990-1999 - Details. RSSSF.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  28. ^ Wales - International Results 2000-2009 - Details. RSSSF.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
  • Canary Citizens by Mark Davage, John Eastwood, Kevin Platt, published by Jarrold Publishing, (2001), ISBN 0-7117-2020-7
  • All I want for Christmas by Iwan Roberts with Karen Buchanan, Published by Vision Sports Publishing (2004), ISBN 978-0954642846