Harry Roberts (footballer, born 1907)

Henry Roberts (1 September 1907 – October 1984) was an England international footballer who played at inside-right for Barrow, Chesterfield, Lincoln City, Port Vale, Millwall, Peterborough United, and Spalding United. He scored in his one and only international game, in a 4–1 win over Belgium on 16 May 1931.

Harry Roberts

Personal information
Full name	Henry Roberts[1]
Date of birth	1 September 1907[1]
Place of birth	Barrow-in-Furness, England[1]
Date of death	October 1984 (age 77)[1]
Place of death	Torbay, England[1]
Position(s)	Inside-right
Youth career
	Barrow Wireworks
	R.A.S.C.
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1925–1926	Barrow	17	(3)
1926–1928	Chesterfield	17	(3)
1928–1930	Lincoln City	33	(23)
1930–1931	Port Vale	24	(9)
1931–1935	Millwall	115	(25)
1935–1938	Peterborough United	84	(27)
	Spalding United
Total		290	(90)
National team
1931	England	1	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Roberts played for Barrow Wireworks, R.A.S.C. (Aldershot), Barrow, Chesterfield and Lincoln City; he was Lincoln's top-scorer in the 1929–30 season with 21 goals. He was signed by Port Vale for a £100 fee in June 1930.[1] He was a first team regular at The Old Recreation Ground from December 1930, and managed a tally of 11 goals in 26 games as the "Valiants" finished a club record high of fifth in the Second Division in the 1930–31 season.[1] He scored in both fixtures against Millwall, and was signed to the "Lions" in April 1931.[1] Millwall finished ninth and seventh in the Second Division in 1931–32 and 1932–33, before suffering relegation with a 21st-place finish in 1933–34. They then finished 12th in the Third Division South in 1934–35. Roberts scored 25 goals in 115 league appearances at The Den. After a trial with Sheffield Wednesday, he moved on to Midland League side Peterborough United. He scored 29 goals for the "Posh" in 90 league and cup appearances, including a hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over Denaby United at London Road on 19 April 1938.[2] He later played for Spalding United in the United Counties League.

International career

Roberts was capped by England in a friendly with Belgium at the Oscar Bossaert Stadium on 16 May 1931, which England won 4–1.[3] He scored one of the goals, whilst Eric Houghton and Harry Burgess (2) bagged the other three.[3] He was signed to Millwall at the time.

Statistics

Source:[4]

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Barrow	1925–26	Third Division North	17	3	0	0	0	0	17	3
Chesterfield	1926–27	Third Division North	12	2	0	0	0	0	12	2
	1927–28	Third Division North	5	1	0	0	0	0	5	1
	Total		17	3	0	0	0	0	17	3
Lincoln City	1928–29	Third Division North	10	2	2	1	0	0	12	3
	1929–30	Third Division North	23	21	2	0	0	0	25	21
	Total		33	23	4	1	0	0	37	24
Port Vale	1930–31	Second Division	24	9	2	2	0	0	26	11
Millwall	1930–31	Second Division	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	1931–32	Second Division	33	9	1	0	0	0	34	9
	1932–33	Second Division	31	5	2	0	0	0	33	5
	1933–34	Second Division	33	5	2	0	0	0	35	5
	1934–35	Third Division South	17	6	2	0	1	0	20	6
	Total		115	25	7	0	1	0	123	25
Peterborough United[5]	1935–36	Midland League	21	4	0	0	0	0	21	4
	1936–37	Midland League	31	8	4	2	0	0	35	10
	1937–38	Midland League	32	15	2	0	0	0	34	15
	Total		84	27	6	2	0	0	90	29
Career total			290	90	19	5	1	0	310	95

References

1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 251. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
2. "Peterborough Utd 8 - 2 Denaby Utd (19/04/1938) - UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database". www.uptheposh.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
3. "Match No. 177 - Saturday, 16th May 1931". englandstats.com. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
4. Harry Roberts at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
5. "Harry Roberts's Matches For Peterborough - UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database". www.uptheposh.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.