 Roberts playing forStevenage Borough in the2009 FA Trophy final | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mark Alan Roberts[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1983-10-16)16 October 1983 (age 42)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Northwich, England[1] | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2003 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2007 | Crewe Alexandra | 5 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | →Leek Town (loan) | 10 | (2) |
| 2004 | →Vauxhall Motors (loan) | 19 | (3) |
| 2005–2006 | →Southport (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2006 | →Chester City (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2006 | →Southport (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | →Halifax Town (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2007 | →Northwich Victoria (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2007 | Northwich Victoria | 20 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Accrington Stanley | 34 | (0) |
| 2008 | →Northwich Victoria (loan) | 9 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | Northwich Victoria | 20 | (1) |
| 2008 | →Stevenage Borough (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2009–2013 | Stevenage | 189 | (21) |
| 2013–2015 | Fleetwood Town | 60 | (6) |
| 2015–2017 | Cambridge United | 57 | (4) |
| 2017–2018 | Forest Green Rovers | 14 | (0) |
| 2018–2022 | Warrington Town | 119 | (8) |
| Total | 573 | (46) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2012 | Stevenage (caretaker) | ||
| 2013 | Stevenage (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:39, 9 August 2022 (UTC) | |||
Mark Alan Roberts (born 16 October 1983) is an English former professionalfootballer who played as acentre-back.
Roberts began his career atCrewe Alexandra's youth academy, signing a professional contract in 2003. He made six first-team appearances during seven years and wasloaned out on six occasions, including to his hometown club,Northwich Victoria, whom he joined permanently in January 2007. After a brief spell back inthe Football League withAccrington Stanley, he returned to Northwich before joiningStevenage Borough in November 2008. He was part of the team that won theFA Trophy in May 2009 and was appointedclub captain ahead of the2009–10 season. As captain, he led Stevenage to successivepromotions from theConference Premier toLeague One. Roberts made 237 appearances across five years, and also served twice as the club'scaretaker manager.
In July 2013, Roberts joinedFleetwood Town, captaining them to League One via theplay-offs in his first season. He then spent two years withCambridge United and a season withForest Green Rovers, before moving intonon-League withWarrington Town in August 2018. Roberts captained the club to aNorthern Premier League play-off victory in his first season and made 144 appearances over four years, retiring from playing in 2022.
Born inNorthwich, Cheshire, Roberts also grew up in Cheshire.[1][2] He was aseason ticket holder atOld Trafford during his childhood, where he sat in theStretford End supportingManchester United.[2][3] Roberts started playing football for his local team, Northwich Town, at the age of seven.[4]
Roberts joinedCrewe Alexandra at the age of 11 and progressed through the club's academy, signing his first professional contract on 6 July 2003.[1][2] In November 2003, he joinedNorthern Premier League Division One clubLeek Town on a two-monthloan.[5] He made his debut in a 3–1 victory againstLincoln United on 22 November 2003[5] and scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 home defeat toKidsgrove Athletic on 26 December 2003.[5] Roberts made 10 appearances and scored twice during the loan.[5] Roberts subsequently spent time on loan atVauxhall Motors of theNorthern Premier League Premier Division,[6][7] making 19 appearances and scoring three goals during the remainder of the2003–04 season.[6]
After playing his first full 90 minutes for Crewe in a 2–1pre-season friendly victory overEverton, assistant manager Neil Baker stated that Roberts had the potential to "bridge the gap" to first-team football and praised the way he adapted to the higher level.[8] Roberts made his first-team debut for Crewe on 21 September 2004, starting in aLeague Cup match againstSunderland that Crewe won 4–2 onpenalties following a 3–3 draw afterextra time.[9] He made hisFootball League debut in a 1–0 away defeat toPreston North End on 25 September 2004,[10] and made five further appearances before an injury curtailed his run in the first team.[11]
Having been unable to establish himself in the Crewe first team, Roberts was loaned toConference National clubSouthport on 23 November 2005.[12] He made six appearances during the loan,[13] before joiningChester City on a one-month loan,[14] where he played once in a 5–0 defeat toCarlisle United.[13][15] Roberts returned to Southport for a second loan in March 2006,[16] making 12 appearances and receiving the firstred card of his career in a 2–1 win atForest Green Rovers.[13][17] Ahead of the2006–07 season, he was loaned to Conference National clubHalifax Town,[18][19] where he made 13 appearances and scored once before returning to Crewe in November 2006.[18][20] Roberts joined his hometown clubNorthwich Victoria on loan on 3 January 2007,[21] making his debut in a 3–1 away victory overSt Albans City.[18] After three appearances, he signed permanently and became a regular during the second half of the 2006–07 season as Northwich's form improved.[18][22][23]
Roberts returned to the Football League with Accrington Stanley on 3 July 2007 for a fee set by a tribunal.[24] He started the first 30 matches of the2007–08 season and made three further appearances as asubstitute.[25] He rejoined Northwich Victoria on a one-month loan on 28 March 2008,[26] making nine appearances and scoring once in a 4–3 victory against relegation rivalsStafford Rangers to help the club secureConference Premier safety.[25][27] Roberts signed permanently for Northwich following the loan spell,[28] and made 20 appearances during the first three months of the2008–09 season, scoring once in a 3–2 home defeat toWeymouth on 27 September 2008.[29][30]
Roberts started for Northwich in a 1–1 draw away toStevenage Borough on 15 November 2008,[31] and joined theHertfordshire club on loan a week later.[32] After impressing managerGraham Westley during his one-month loan agreement, he signed permanently for Stevenage the following month.[32] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0FA Trophy win atFarnborough on 14 January 2009,[29][33][34] and scored his first league goal in a 2–1 victory away toAltrincham on 28 February 2009, aninjury-time winner.[29][35] Roberts played regularly as Stevenage finished in the final play-off positions,[29] scoring in the semi-final first leg against Cambridge United as the club were defeated 4–3 on aggregate.[36][37] He was named Stevenage Player of the Year at the end of the season,[38] having also started in all seven of the club's FA Trophy matches, scoring twice and playing in the 2–0final victory againstYork City on 9 May 2009.[34][39] In May 2009, Roberts was appointedclub captain for the2009–10 season,[40] with Westley describing him as "a natural leader who leads by example".[40]
"It was important to get the championship in the bag, now we can enjoy it. Obviously we have worked so hard to achieve this. No-one will probably ever know how hard we have worked and every one of the lads deserves a pat on the back."
Roberts scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season on his 50th appearance for Stevenage, giving the club the lead in a 3–1 victory againstSalisbury City on 17 October 2009.[42][43] He captained the team in a 2–0 victory againstKidderminster Harriers atAggborough on 17 April 2010, a result that confirmed Stevenage's promotion to the Football League for the first time in its history.[44] Roberts played 49 times that season, scoring five times from defence,[42] and was named Conference Premier Player of the Month for April 2010.[45] Forming a central defensive partnership withJon Ashton, he was part of the back line that conceded 24 goals in 46 league matches, the best defensive record in the division.[46] Stevenage ended the season with six consecutiveclean sheets and conceded only twice across their last 15 league fixtures.[47] In May 2010, Roberts signed a new two-year contract with the club, describing it as a "privilege" to continue as captain in the Football League.[45] He was also named in the Conference Premier Team of the Year, alongside teammatesRonnie Henry andScott Laird.[48]
"I do not mind admitting that there were a few tears. In the dressing room afterwards there was a mixture of enjoyment and reflection on what we have achieved".
Roberts captained Stevenage in their first-ever Football League match, a 2–2 home draw withMacclesfield Town at the start of the2010–11 season.[50] He scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 away victory over local rivalsBarnet on 2 November 2010,[51][52] and added two further goals in a 4–0 away win against Macclesfield Town on 26 March 2011, taking his tally to five for the season.[51][53] He captained the team in the2011 League Two play-off final against Torquay United atOld Trafford on 28 May 2011, playing the entirety of a 1–0 victory that secured Stevenage consecutive promotions and a place inLeague One for the first time in their history.[49][54] Stevenage ended the season with the best defensive record in League Two, conceding 45 goals, and also reached theFA Cup fourth round, with Roberts featuring in all five matches,[51] including the 3–1 home win overPremier League clubNewcastle United.[55] He made 52 appearances in all competitions during the season, scoring six goals.[51]
Roberts captained the team in their first match in League One, a 0–0 draw againstExeter City on 6 August 2011.[56] He signed a new two-year contract with the club later that month.[57] He scored an injury-time 20-yard volley in a 2–2Football League Trophy draw withAFC Wimbledon on 4 October 2011, taking the match to penalties, which Stevenage lost 4–3.[58][59] He described the volley as "easily the best goal of his career".[60] Following the departure of manager Graham Westley toPreston North End in January 2012, Roberts tookinterim charge for three matches, overseeing a 5–1 victory atRochdale[61][62] a 1–1 draw withScunthorpe United,[63] and a 4–2 home win againstMilton Keynes Dons,[64] beforeGary Smith's appointment as manager.[65] Roberts played every minute of Stevenage's 56 matches during the2011–12 season, scoring seven goals from defence as the club reached the play-off semi-finals.[58][66] He also featured in all six of the team's FA Cup fixtures as Stevenage progressed to the fifth round for the first time in their history, facingTottenham Hotspur over two matches.[58] Roberts was named Stevenage's Player of the Year at the end of the season, becoming only the third player to win the award twice.[67][68]
In the summer of 2012, Stevenage rejected several transfer offers fromDoncaster Rovers for Roberts and fellow centre-back Jon Ashton.[69][70] He captained the team in the opening match of the2012–13 season, scoring the third goal in a 3–1 League Cup victory against AFC Wimbledon on 14 August 2012.[71][72] Two days later, the club confirmed that Roberts would not be sold during the campaign.[70][73] In February 2013, he was shortlisted by the Football League for the Player in the Community award in recognition of his community work.[74][75][76] Following the dismissal of manager Gary Smith in March 2013, Roberts was appointed caretaker manager while the club searched for a permanent appointment.[77] He scored in his final game as caretaker, heading in the opening goal in a 1–1 away draw withCrawley Town, in which Stevenage played with 10 men for most of the match followingMiguel Comminges' early red card.[78] After the match, Roberts stated he was "proud of the phenomenal performance".[78][79] Graham Westley was reappointed as manager the following day, with Roberts resuming his playing duties.[80][81] He made 48 appearances and scored four goals during the season.[71] Across four and a half years at Stevenage, Roberts made 237 appearances and scored 27 goals in all competitions, placing him sixth on the club's all-time appearance list.[34][82]
Following the expiry of his contract at Stevenage, and having rejected the club's offer of a new contract, Roberts joined League Two clubFleetwood Town on a free transfer on 3 July 2013.[83][84] Upon signing, he described Fleetwood as "an exciting prospect" and expressed admiration for the club's ambitions and vision.[83] He was appointed club captain ahead of the2013–14 season.[85] Roberts scored six minutes into his debut, heading the opening goal in a 3–1 home victory againstDagenham & Redbridge, which was also the first goal of the League Two season.[86][87] Fleetwood finished fourth in the league, securing a place in the play-offs.[88] Roberts played in all three play-off matches,[86] with the team recording three consecutive clean sheets en route to promotion to League One following a 1–0 victory overBurton Albion inthe final atWembley Stadium.[89][90][91] He made 45 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions during his first season with the club.[86]
He remained at Fleetwood for the club'sfirst season in League One, initially featuring infrequently and making just one appearance in the opening two months of the2014–15 season.[92][93] He returned to the starting line-up on 4 October 2014, playing the full match in a 1–0 home victory overPort Vale,[92][94] and subsequently established himself as a regular in central defence.[92] Roberts scored on the final day of the season in a 2–1 victory against Port Vale on 3 May 2015, scoring from close range.[95] The match marked his final appearance for the club, with Fleetwood finishing 10th in their debut League One season.[92][96] Over two seasons, Roberts made 72 appearances in all competitions, scoring six times.[93] He was released at the end of his contract in May 2015 as part of a wider first-team restructuring focused on youth development.[97]
Roberts signed a two-year contract with League Two clubCambridge United on 25 May 2015,[98][99] and was appointed club captain, a role he had previously held at both Stevenage and Fleetwood Town. He made his debut on the opening day of the2015–16 season in a 3–0 home victory overNewport County.[100][101] Roberts scored his first goal for Cambridge in a 2–2 draw to York City on 3 October 2015, finishing from close range to earn a point after the team had trailed by two goals.[100][102] A week later, he received a red card for violent conduct in a 3–1 home defeat toPortsmouth.[103] He remained a regular starter until late January 2016,[93][100] when he was dropped and replaced as captain; managerShaun Derry noted that Roberts had accepted the change professionally.[104] He finished the season with 34 appearances and two goals.[100]
Roberts remained with Cambridge for the2016–17 season, making his first start on 26 September 2016, helping the team earn their first victory of the season, a 2–1 away win against Newport County.[105][106] Three days later, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win againstYeovil Town, moving Cambridge off the bottom of the League Two table.[107] Roberts remained a regular starter for the following five months, contributing to an upturn in the team's form.[105] He scored a 92nd-minute equaliser in an eventual 4–2 extra-timeFA Cup victory atDover Athletic on 17 November 2016,[105][108][109] helping Cambridge progress to the third round againstLeeds United.[105] His third goal of the season was a 93rd-minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Newport County in February 2017.[110] Roberts played 31 matches during the season, scoring three goals.[105] At the end of the season, he was placed on the transfer list with a year remaining on his contract.[111] Having not featured in the opening weeks of the2017–18 season, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 24 August 2017.[112][113]
On the same day that his departure from Cambridge was announced, Roberts signed for fellow League Two clubForest Green Rovers on a one-year contract.[112] He made his Forest Green debut on 26 August 2017, playing the full 90 minutes in a 5–1 away defeat toColchester United.[114] Initially a regular in central defence, Roberts did not feature for the first team from the start of 2018,[115] his last appearance for the club coming in a 2–0 defeat to Yeovil Town in the EFL Trophy on 9 January 2018.[116] He left the club upon the expiry of his contract in May 2018,[117][118] having made 20 appearances in all competitions.[115]
Roberts joinedNorthern Premier League Premier Division clubWarrington Town on a free transfer ahead of the2018–19 season.[119][120] He made his debut in a 2–0 home defeat toFarsley Celtic[121] and was appointed club captain for the following fixture, an away victory againstLancaster City.[122] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw withNantwich Town on 23 February 2019.[123] Roberts played regularly as Warrington finished third in the Northern Premier Division.[124] He played in all of the club's three play-off fixtures, winning the Northern Premier Division play-offs,[125] before losing 3–2 after extra time in thestep three super play-off final toKing's Lynn Town on 11 May 2019.[126] He made 49 appearances during the season, scoring twice,[124] and signed a one-year contract extension on 24 May 2019.[127]
Roberts played regularly for Warrington during the2019–20 and2020–21 seasons, both of which were curtailed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[128][129] with the club positioned third and fourth in the Northern Premier League Premier Division at the time of suspension.[128][129] He signed a one-year contract extension on 9 July 2021,[130] making 47 appearances during the2021–22 season as Warrington reached the play-off final, where they were defeated.[131] Roberts announced his retirement from playing on 20 June 2022.[4]
Roberts was primarily deployed as acentre-back and was described as a commanding presence in central defence.[2][132] He was appointed club captain at Stevenage, Fleetwood, Cambridge United and Warrington, with his leadership skills often cited as one of his main strengths.[133][134] Roberts was also noted as a goalscoring threat fromset-pieces,[2] scoring the majority of his goals from attackingfree kicks andcorners.[2]
Roberts studiedprofessional sports writing and broadcasting atStaffordshire University, graduating in 2012.[135] He subsequently completed two further football-related business qualifications at the Sports Business Institute and gained ACGP accreditation through a corporate governance programme, reflecting his interest in the administrative and boardroom aspects of football.[136] In 2020, he earned aMaster of Business Administration degree from theUniversity of Salford, focusing onCEOs in sport.[137] Roberts also serves as a personal development mentor for League Football Education (LFE), supporting first-year apprentices at six professional clubs.[137]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Crewe Alexandra | 2004–05[11] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2005–06[13] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006–07[18] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Leek Town (loan) | 2003–04[5] | Northern Premier League Division One | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
| Vauxhall Motors (loan) | 2003–04[6] | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 | |
| Southport (loan) | 2005–06[13] | Conference National | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Chester City (loan) | 2005–06[13] | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Northwich Victoria | 2006–07[18] | Conference National | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[a] | 0 | 26 | 1 | |
| Accrington Stanley | 2007–08[25] | League Two | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| Northwich Victoria | 2007–08[25] | Conference Premier | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2008–09[29] | Conference Premier | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
| Total | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
| Stevenage | 2008–09[29][34] | Conference Premier | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 9[c] | 3 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2009–10[34][42] | Conference Premier | 37 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[a] | 1 | 45 | 5 | ||
| 2010–11[51] | League Two | 43 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[d] | 0 | 53 | 6 | |
| 2011–12[58] | League One | 46 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[e] | 1 | 56 | 7 | |
| 2012–13[71] | League One | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1[b] | 1 | 48 | 4 | |
| Total | 195 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 6 | 237 | 27 | ||
| Fleetwood Town | 2013–14[86] | League Two | 33 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8[f] | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| 2014–15[92] | League One | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 28 | 3 | |
| Total | 60 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 73 | 6 | ||
| Cambridge United | 2015–16[100] | League Two | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 34 | 2 |
| 2016–17[105] | League Two | 27 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
| Total | 57 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 65 | 5 | ||
| Forest Green Rovers | 2017–18[115] | League Two | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Warrington Town | 2018–19[124] | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 39 | 2 | 6 | 0 | — | 4[g] | 0 | 49 | 2 | |
| 2019–20[128] | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 31 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | 1[a] | 0 | 36 | 7 | ||
| 2020–21[129] | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22[131] | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 40 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 5[h] | 0 | 47 | 0 | ||
| Total | 119 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 144 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 573 | 46 | 40 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 53 | 6 | 674 | 55 | ||
Stevenage
Fleetwood Town
Warrington Town
Individual
