| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert McRoberts | ||
| Date of birth | 12 July 1874 | ||
| Place of birth | Coatbridge, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 27 February 1959 (aged 84) | ||
| Place of death | Birkenhead, England | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Coatbridge | |||
| 1894–1895 | Airdrieonians | 7 | (7) |
| 1895–1896 | Albion Rovers | ||
| 1896–1898 | Gainsborough Trinity | 52 | (15) |
| 1898–1905 | Small Heath | 173 | (70) |
| 1905–1911 | Chelsea | 104 | (10) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1911–1915 | Birmingham | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert McRoberts (12 July 1874 – 27 February 1959) was a Scottish professional association football player and manager. He played as a centre forward.
McRoberts was born in Coatbridge, Scotland. He started his football career at Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers in the Scottish League,[1] and went on to play for Gainsborough Trinity, Small Heath (Birmingham) and Chelsea, where he also played as a defender, in the Football League. He was Small Heath's leading goalscorer for three successive seasons, from 1899–1900 to 1901–02, and was Chelsea's first ever £100 signing, playing in their first League game in September 1905.[2] On 4 November 1905, as Chelsea beat Barnsley 6–0 in a home league match, McRoberts scored the club's first-ever penalty.
After retirement, he came back to Birmingham where in June 1911 he was appointed their first full-time professional team manager.[3] Previously the team had been selected by a committee. He managed the club for four years.
McRoberts died in Birkenhead, England, at the age of 84.