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IDRIS ROBERTS
Full Name: William Idris Roberts
Born: 13 July 1916
Came from: Dolgellau Athletic Went to: Dartmouth
First game: 01 September 1945 Last game: 01 December 1945
Appearances: 3 (3/0) Goals: 0
Although the Second World War was at an end, the Football League divided its competition into regional sections for the 1945-46 season because of the exceptional conditions at that time, with so many players still serving in the Armed Forces or employed on essential war work. Argyle played in the Football League South that season, against first-class opposition such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Aston Villa and Wolves. It proved impossible for the Pilgrims to field a regular side; 72 players made an appearance and performances inevitably suffered. From week to week the club called on Armed Services players, guest footballers from other League clubs and local amateurs to supplement its registered playing staff.
Roberts was one of 21 players whose only first team games for Argyle were in the Football League South season and who usually played in local football or for the Armed Forces. Born in Dolgelley, he first joined the Argyle ranks back in 1937, after a trial, from Dolgellau Athletic AFC, a Welsh amateur club in the foothills of Cader Idris in the Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd. He played mostly for the 'A' team in the Plymouth & District (P&D) League, and was a half-back known for his particularly robust style. On 4th March 1939, he was sent-off in a P&D game - an unusual event in those times - and was fined £2 and suspended for 14 days. He joined Plymouth City Police Force at the outbreak of the war but re-joined Argyle as an amateur in 1945, his registration being lodged with the Football League on 29th August 1945, just a few days before his first team debut. He went on to play three games, without appearing on a winning side, in what was a wretched season for the club. In March 1946 he joined Dartmouth United to wind down his career, but the Football Herald of 17th September 1948 reported that he came out of retirement to play for Plymouth City Police Force in the Devon Wednesday League.
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APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
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