Walter William Robbins (24 November 1910 –1979) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward. He represented Wales from 1930 to 1935.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Walter William Robbins | ||
Date of birth | 24 November 1910 | ||
Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||
Date of death | 1979 (aged 68–69) | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1928–1931 | Cardiff City | 86 | (38) |
1931–1939 | West Bromwich Albion | 84 | (28) |
International career | |||
1930–1935 | Wales | 11 | (4) |
Managerial career | |||
1969 | Swansea City (caretaker) | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Following the end of World War II, Robbins worked as a trainer with Cardiff City, Newport County and Swansea City, where he briefly served as caretaker manager.[2] After his coaching career, he moved to Manchester United as a scout.
Club career
editHaving previously worked for a local brewery, Robbins was serving a motor engineering apprenticeship when he rose to attention after scoring 70 goals during a single season for Ely United in the Cardiff and District League at the age of 16.[3] He signed for Cardiff City, making his debut during the 1928–29 season against Portsmouth, before scoring his first goal for the club in his next game, a 1–1 draw with Bolton Wanderers. Relegation to Division Two saw the departures of George McLachlan and Fred Warren during the following season, handing Robbins a regular first team place. On 6 February 1932, Robbins scored five goals during a 9–2 win over Thames, which remains the club's record league win.[4] Several months later, Robbins was sold to West Bromwich Albion where he spent eight years, before the outbreak of World War II.
International career
editIn 1929, Robbins was selected for the Football Association of Wales tour of Canada but these matches were not classed as international cap matches.[5] His Cardiff City teammates Len Davies, Fred Keenor and Fred Warren were also selected for the tour. He made his full debut for Wales on 25 October 1930 in a 1–1 draw with Scotland.[6]
International goals
edit- Results list Wales' goal tally first.
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 18 November 1931 | Anfield, Liverpool, England | England | 1–3 | 1932 British Home Championship |
2. | 7 December 1932 | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales | Irland | 4–1 | 1933 British Home Championship |
3. | 7 December 1932 | Irland | 4–1 | ||
4. | 4 October 1933 | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales | Scotland | 3–2 | 1934 British Home Championship |
References
edit- Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion. Directors rely on reserves". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. iv – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "OUR MANAGERS". Swansea City A.F.C. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players, Davies and Garland 1991
- ^ "Club history". Cardiff City F.C. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ "British "FA XI" tours". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- ^ "Scotland 1-1 Wales". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 20 March 2010.