Roberts forced to retire

Last updated : 08 October 2009 By Andy Van Hagen
Walsall defender Stephen Roberts has been forced to quit professional football after a failing to overcome a persistent back problem.

Roberts, 29, has spent nearly a year in the treatment room while with the Saddlers suffering with back, knee and calf injuries.

Manager Chris Hutchings confirmed the players decision saying:

"Stephen has decided he's had enough with the amount of injuries since he's been at Walsall and we've come to an agreement where he's decided to call it a day.

It's a sad day for Roberts as a player and a person. We as Saddlers fans had not seen the best of a player who was previously a Doncaster Rovers captain. Roberts is a rising artist who has no doubt found his painting as great comfort during a difficult 15 months with Walsall.

Signed by Jimmy Mullen, had we managed to have a fit Stephen Roberts there is no doubt he would have been a great asset to our defence.

This season he was limited to starts in only two matches but again injury flared up.

Stephen Roberts (Walsall) appearances
DateCompetitionHomeResAwayGlsCrd
29/08/2009Football League OnWalsall0-0Gillingham0
11/08/2009Carling Cup First Accrington S.2-1Walsall0
Appearances 2; Goals 0; Yellow cards 0; Red cards 0

Last season Roberts managed 19 appearances as he was battling with injuries. His only goal in a Saddlers shirt came in the 3-1 away win at Bristol Rovers

Stephen Roberts (Walsall) appearances
DateCompetitionHomeResAwayGlsCrd
06/12/2008Football League OnHuddersfield2-1Walsall0Y
29/11/2008Football League OnWalsall2-1Swindon Town0
15/11/2008Football League OnColchester U.0-2Walsall0
08/11/2008FA Cup First RoundWalsall1-3Scunthorpe U.0
04/11/2008Football League TrWalsall0-1Luton Town0
01/11/2008Football League OnWalsall3-1Northampton0
25/10/2008Football League OnLeeds Utd.3-0Walsall0
21/10/2008Football League OnLeicester City2-2Walsall0
18/10/2008Football League OnWalsall2-3Hartlepool U.0
11/10/2008Football League OnWalsall1-2Peterborough0
07/10/2008Football League TrCheltenham T.1-2Walsall0
04/10/2008Football League OnHereford Utd.0-0Walsall0
27/09/2008Football League OnWalsall2-1Carlisle Utd.0
20/09/2008Football League OnBrighton & HA0-1Walsall0
13/09/2008Football League OnBristol Rvs.1-3Walsall1
06/09/2008Football League OnWalsall0-2Leyton Orient0
30/08/2008Football League OnWalsall5-2Southend Utd.0
12/08/2008Carling Cup First Walsall1-2Darlington0
09/08/2008Football League OnYeovil Town1-1Walsall0
Appearances 19; Goals 1; Yellow cards 1; Red cards 0

I suspect the player will reflect more fondly on his playing career pre-Walsall and there he served Doncaster and Wrexham to great ability and left Doncaster having played his part in helping Doncaster achieve promotion to the Championship.

Stephen Roberts (Walsall) Information
Date of birth
Sunday, 24th February 1980
Height
6.2
Place of birth
Wrexham, Wales
Weight
11.6
Nationality
Wales
Position
Defence
Comments
Squad No.
4
Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards)
Team
DebutApps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
09 Aug 200821 (0)110
06 Aug 200573 (19)171
163 (8)7132
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards)
Season
First App.Apps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
11 Aug 20092 (0)000
09 Aug 200819 (0)110
04 Sep 200722 (7)031
05 Aug 200623 (7)010
06 Aug 200528 (5)130
07 Aug 200441 (1)331
30 Sep 200327 (3)021
10 Aug 200243 (0)340
08 Sep 200127 (0)140
12 Aug 20007 (1)000
16 Oct 199918 (3)000
Appearances 257 (+ 27 as sub); Goals 9; Yellow cards 21; Red cards 3