Ken Roberts (footballer, born 1936)
- For other persons named Ken(neth) Roberts, see Ken(neth) Roberts
 |
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kenneth Owen Roberts | ||
| Date of birth | 27 March 1936 | ||
| Place of birth | Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1951–1953 | Wrexham | 1 | (0) |
| 1953–58 | Aston Villa | 38 | (3) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1968–1976 | Chester | ||
| c.1981–1984 | Oswestry Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Kenneth Owen Roberts (born March 27, 1936, Cefn Mawr near Wrexham) was a professional footballer with Wrexham and Aston Villa[1] who later achieved managerial success with Chester.
Playing career
Roberts made his solitary Football League appearance for Wrexham when aged just 15 in 1951-52 during a player availability crisis. At 15 years and 158 days old, he equalled the 1929 record of Bradford Park Avenue's Albert Geldard; this record stood until beaten by Reuben Noble-Lazarus of Barnsley in 2008. Two years later he joined Villa and added 38 league outings and three goals to his tally[1] before retiring due to a knee injury.
Managerial career
Roberts became manager of Chester in March 1968, and remained in charge until September 1976.[2]
His spell in charge included memorably leading the Fourth Division side to the semi-finals of the Football League Cup in 1974-75, narrowly losing to Roberts' former club Villa. The campaign ended with Chester achieving promotion from the Football League Fourth Division.