Full name William Thomas Roberts Role Designer Name Tommy Roberts | Years Team Playing position Organizations founded Mr Freedom | |
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Date of birth (1895-11-29)29 November 1895 Place of birth Handsworth, West Midlands, England Date of death 13 October 1965(1965-10-13) (aged 69) Died December 10, 2012, Canterbury, United Kingdom | ||
William Thomas "Tommy" Roberts (29 November 1898 – 13 October 1965) was an English professional footballer who played for Soho Villa, Leicester Fosse, Preston North End, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, Dick, Kerr's, Chorley and England at international level.
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Football career
Roberts began his career at non League Soho Villa and later Leicester Fosse. After World War I he joined Preston North End and made his debut against Blackburn Rovers in 1919. The high scoring centre forward was top scorer in his first season with 29 goals. Roberts featured in 199 matches and scored 118 goals between 1919–1924. In 1924 he signed for Burnley where he scored a further 28 goals in 49 matches. He returned to Deepdale for his second spell at the club in 1926 and once again top scored with 30 goals in 55 matches. Roberts broke an arm in a motor vehicle accident in 1927 and suffered injury problems before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 1928. He made four appearances and found the net on two occasions for the Spurs. After leaving White Hart Lane Roberts played for the Dick, Kerr's XI and finally ended his playing career at Chorley.
International career
Roberts played twice for England. His first match was against Belgium in November 1923 and played in the following game against Wales. He scored in both matches.
After football
Roberts worked as a publican for 30 years in the Preston area.