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.
Roberts forced to retire
Last Updated : 08-Oct-2009 by
Walsall defender Stephen Roberts has been forced to quit professional football after a failing to overcome a persistent back problem.
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 RoversI 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 | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 09 Aug 2008 | 21 (0) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 06 Aug 2005 | 73 (19) | 1 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 163 (8) | 7 | 13 | 2 | |||
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 11 Aug 2009 | 2 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 09 Aug 2008 | 19 (0) | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 04 Sep 2007 | 22 (7) | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 05 Aug 2006 | 23 (7) | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 06 Aug 2005 | 28 (5) | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 07 Aug 2004 | 41 (1) | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 30 Sep 2003 | 27 (3) | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 10 Aug 2002 | 43 (0) | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 08 Sep 2001 | 27 (0) | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 12 Aug 2000 | 7 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 16 Oct 1999 | 18 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Appearances 257 (+ 27 as sub); Goals 9; Yellow cards 21; Red cards 3 | ||||||
