Graham Roberts

Background

Roberts was born in Southampton, and joined his local club, Southampton F.C, as an associate schoolboy in October 1973, but failed to make the grade and was released, joining Portsmouth in March 1977.

Career

He was also capped six times by England. He subsequently served as the head coach of the Pakistan national team and Nepal national team He was sold to Dorchester Town where he impressed before joining local rivals Weymouth.

From there he was sold to in May 1980 for £35,000.

Whilst at he was involved in a controversial Old Firm derby at Ibrox Park on 17 October 1987. During a very bad-tempered match three players were sent off and in the aftermath Roberts, his team-mates Terry Butcher and Chris Woods and Celtic F.C. player Frank McAvennie were all charged with conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace.

Both Roberts and McAvennie had their cases adjudged not proven, although Butcher and Woods were both convicted and fined. During the course of the match Roberts, who had replaced Woods as goalkeeper after Woods was sent off, was involved in a second controversy when he "conducted" supporters in a rendition of "The Sash", although Roberts would subsequently claim that he did not realise they were singing that song, a traditional Ulster loyalist anthem, when he made the gesture.

He later moved to West Bromwich Albion, where he played out the remainder of his professional career.

In June 2005, Roberts was appointed manager of Clyde. He only had three players under contract, and held open trials in an attempt to get new players. Roberts gave the supporters their greatest day in years, when his Clyde side defeated Celtic in the Scottish Cup in January 2006.

Earlier in the season, Clyde took to extra time at Ibrox Stadium in the Scottish League Cup.

Roberts was sacked by Clyde in August 2006 after allegations he made racist remarks. An employment tribunal found that the allegations were "either highly exaggerated or possibly not true" and awarded Roberts £32,000 compensation for unfair dismissal.

In September 2010, he was hired as consultant to the Pakistan national football team to assist the coaching staff Roberts was appointed as head coach in the following month.

He then joined the Nepal national football team in January 2011.

In March 2012 he stepped down as coach after a 3-0 defeat to Turkmenistan in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. As a player.

Achievements

• Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup 1981, 1982 Union of European Football Associations Cup 1984 Rangers Scottish Championship 1986-1987 Scottish League Cup: 1987 Chelsea Second Division 1988-1989.