Bob McRoberts
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
| Bob McRoberts | |
| |
| Full Name | Roberts McRoberts |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 1874 |
| Place of Birth | Coatbridge, Scotland |
| Position | Centre half Centre forward |
| Chelsea career | 1905-1909 |
| Debut | 2 September 1905 |
| Games (goals) | 106 (11) |
| Other clubs | Coatbridge Airdrieonians Albion Rovers Gainsborough Trinity Small Heath |
Roberts "Bob" McRoberts (12 July 1874 – 27 February 1959) was a Scottish centre forward who played for Chelsea from formation, in 1905, until 1909. At Chelsea he played mainly as a defender.
McRoberts was born in Coatbridge, Scotland. He started his football career at Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers in the Scottish League, and went on to play for Gainsborough Trinity and Small Heath (later re-named Birmingham), before joining newly-formed Chelsea in 1905. Having earlier been Small Heath's leading goalscorer for three successive seasons, from 1899-00 to 1901-02, McRoberts was Chelsea's first ever £100 signing, playing in their first League game in September 1905. Already in his thirties by the time he joined Chelsea, most of McRoberts' appearances were in defence, though he was also occasionally employed at centre forward. Despite the change of position McRoberts still scored 11 goals in his 106 appearances
After retiring from playing, he returned to Birmingham where in July 1910 he was appointed their first full-time professional team manager. Previously the team had been selected by a committee. He managed the club for five years. McRoberts died in Birkenhead, England at the age of 84.
