Birmingham City were interested too though and signed Fred in October of 1933. Remarkably, just a few weeks after playing in local football, he was lining up at centre-forward in the old First Division (now Premier League) to face Wolves in-front of over 30,000 people at St. Andrews, the game ending in a 0-0 draw. A report in the Birmingham Daily Gazette remarks, ‘even if he didn’t cut up any trees, (Roberts) gave indication of developing into a very useful leader.’

He would score 8 times in 28 games during that first season and was singled out by legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman for his performance at inside-left after a draw at St. Andrews in December 1933. Regardless he found himself out of favour the following season and was persuaded by Town boss Harold Wightman to drop down two divisions and join Luton in December 1934.

While some at Birmingham had decided that Roberts was better suited as a half-back, Wightman had certainly wanted an inside-left and it was in that position where Fred made his debut a few days later at Millwall, scoring the first of his 45 goals for the Hatters in a 4-1 win.

‘On this showing the Town have a very useful acquisition, and when his colleagues become accustomed to his manoeuvres there will be good results,’ wrote J.J Hunt, aka Crusader, in his match report.

This would prove to be very true. With chairman Charles Jeyes determined to provide the growing town with Second Division football or better, Roberts became an almost ever-present fixture at inside-forward during one the most exciting times the club had ever known and he barely missed a game for the next four and a half seasons, ending with 198 appearances in total.

Below: Fred Roberts goes close.

Described as a ‘schemer’ he was a scorer as well as a provider of goals and Joe Payne in particular was to benefit from the service he provided. His consistency and lack of injuries were likely due in large part to a focus on diet and fitness that were ahead of its time, including cutting out white bread and potatoes and halving his sugar ration.

After the near miss in 1935/1936 in which Town fell short of promotion by a single win, the following year would prove to be the highlight of Fred’s career as that elusive Third Division title was finally secured. He played in every match, a feat equalled only by Bill Fellowes, and scored 12 times.

‘For me it was the best side Luton have had,’ Fred would say in later life, ‘it had everything.’

The arrival of Eddie Connelly in March 1938 would see Fred move back into the half-back line where he proved himself to be equally adept and was eventually awarded the captaincy. Sadly though the outbreak of war would essentially end his career, which wound down with a couple of seasons at Kettering when football returned.

Remaining in Luton for the rest of his life until his passing in 1979 he worked for a number of local companies such as SKF and as a courier for the Luton College of Technology while living on Leicester Road with his wife, Mary. He remained in contact with his adopted club and, when Birmingham released a centre-half by the name of Syd Owen, it was Fred who recommended him to the Town.

‘The best day’s work I ever did was when I came to Luton,’ he said in a 1939 interview, ‘I have never had a single cause to regret the move and no club could have treated me better.’

Below: Fred Roberts (centre) in later life, with George Martin and Jock Finlayson.