Frank Roberts	Manchester City FC 4 appearances, 2 goals P 4 W 3 D 0 L 1 F 9: A 5 75% successful 1924-25 captain: none minutes played: 360
Timeline
	Lance Corporal Frank Roberts
Birth	3 April 1893 in Wheelock, Sandbach, Cheshire [registered in Congleton, June 1893].
Baptism	30 April 1893 in Wheelock
	According to the 1901 census, Frank is the youngest of two children, the other being Joseph, to Joseph and Elizabeth. However, his father has remarried to Mary (née Burrows), and Frank has gained two step-siblings. They live at Victoria Street in Sandbach and his father is a bag-packer at the chemical works.
	According to the 1911 census, Frank, a general labourer at the motor works, is the second of six, now with two half-siblings. They all live at 47 Green Street in Sandbach. According to his army records, Frank joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 7 December 1916. He is stated as being a driller, still living at 47 Green Street.
Marriage	to Gladys Higson [registered in Bolton, March 1920].
	According to the 1921 census, Frank, now a professional footballer (with Bolton Wanderers FC), is with his wife, Gladys, on holiday at 14 Mona Drive in Douglas in the Isle of Man. He is with Joe Smith and his wife.
"ROBERTS SUSPENDED "Frank Roberts, the well-known Bolton Wanderers centre-forward, who figured in the F.A. trial matches at Valley Parade and Fulham last season, was suspended, yesterday, by his club. The Wanderers have a rule 'that none of the players should be concerned in the management of a licensed house.' Roberts recently applied for permission to become a landlord, but this was refused and his wife became the licensee." - Thursday, 5 October 1922, The Sheffield Daily Independent.
	Cannot be found on the 1939 register.
Death	23 May 1961, aged 68 years 50 days [registered in Bolton, June 1961].
Source	Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &
Playing Career
Club(s)	Began his junior career playing with his local side, Sandbach Villa FC and Sandbach Ramblers FC. He joined Crewe Alexandra FC, from where he was signed by Bolton Wanderers FC on 22 May 1914 for a £200 transfer fee. Roberts was transfer listed by the Burnden Park club for becoming a licensee...
"FAMOUS PLAYER TRANSFERRED "Manchester City have secured the transfer of Frank Roberts, Bolton Wanderers' famous centre-forward, who was suspended a fortnight ago for disregarding the regulations of the club that none of their players shall be concerned in the management of a public house. Though the amount of the transfer fee is a closely guarded secret, it is understood to exceed £3000. A number of clubs have been making inquires about Roberts, including at least one Yorkshire club." - Thursday, 19 October 1922, The Yorkshire Evening Post.
	after 79 goals in 157 league appearance, Manchester City FC paid £3400 for him on 19 October 1922. He scored 116 goals, in 216 league appearances. On 13 June 1929, he joined Manchester Central FC, and Lancashire Combination side Horwich RMI FC signed him on 31 July 1930.
Club honours	FA Cup runners-up 1925-26; Football League Division Two winners 1927-28;
Individual honours	Football League (one appearance)
Distinctions	None
Height/Weight	5' 6", 10st. 8lbs [1915], 5' 8", 12st. 0lbs [1925].
Source	Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].
England Career
Player number	One of four who became the 481st players (484) to appear for England.
Position(s)	Inside-right, centre-forward
First match	No. 143, 8 December 1924, England 4 Belgium 0, a friendly match at The Hawthorns, Sandwell, West Bromwich, aged 31 years 249 days.
Last match	No. 146, 21 May 1925, France 2 England 3, an end-of-season friendly match at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, Paris, aged 32 years 48 days.
Major tournaments	British Championship 1924-25;
Team honours	None
Individual honours	England's Top Goalscorer 1924 (2);
Distinctions	None
Beyond England
Bolton Wanderers had no desire to lose Frank's services, but the player's persistent wish to become mine host of a local hotel causing the rift. Was employed as a licensee after the leaving the game, too. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.209.

Frank Roberts - Career Statistics
Squads	Apps	comp. apps	Mins.		goals ave.min	comp. goals	Capt.	Disc.
4	4	2	360	2	180 min	2	none	none
minutes are an approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stick to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors.

Frank Roberts - Match History
Club: Manchester City F.C. - 4 full appearances F.A. International Select Committee - 4 full capsx
Age 31
1	143	8 December 1924 - England 4 Belgium 0, The Hawthorns, West Bromwich	Fr	HW	Start	ir
2	144	28 February 1925 - Wales 1 England 2, Vetch Field, Swansea	BC	AW	Start 11, 15	ir
Age 32
3	145	4 April 1925 - Scotland 2 England 0, Hampden Park, Glasgow	BC	AL	Start	cf
4	146	21 May 1925 - France 2 England 3, Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Paris	Fr	AW	Start	ir

Notes

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