Fred Roberts

Frederick Roberts Date of Birth: Oct 9, 1908

Born in Greets Green, West Bromwich in 1908, Fred played local football before being spotted by Birmingham who signed him in 1933 and gave him a number of starts in 1933-34.

He was used sparingly the following campaign and was recommended to the Town who signed him in December 1934 and immediately put him in the first team.

Described as a ‘scheming inside-forward’ he certainly improved the team no-end and for five seasons was probably the first name on the teamsheet. Strikers, notably Joe Payne, thrived off the service he provided and he was capable of weighing in with his fair share of goals also.

In the season before the War the Town signed Eddie Connelly to take Fred’s position but he merely moved back into the half-back line where he played better than ever and was awarded the captaincy.

Fred continued to play for the Town during the War years and once hostilities had ended had a spell at Kettering before hanging up his boots and working for Davis/Jacksons and SKF.

Fred passed away in Luton in 1979.