*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Arthur Roberts
Appearances: 65 Goals: 8
Date / Year of birth: 1938
Position: Winger
Season of first appearance: 1959/60
Season of last appearance: 1962/63
Also played for: Walton & Hersham, Aldershot (0), Tonbridge, Ramsgate Athletic and Chertsey Town
Energetic player born in Aldershot who had two spells with Margate. Although christened Arthur he was universally known as 'Digger' and started his career with Walton & Hersham as an amateur before signing professional forms for Aldershot aged 17.
His career there was halted by his National Service and he joined Tonbridge when he was demobbed. Digger spent two seasons with the Angels before joining Margate prior to the start of the 1959/60 campaign.
He made his debut for the club in a 7-0 Southern League Cup win over Dover at Hartsdown Park on 3.9.59 and went on to make 29 appearances during a season in which he had several lengthy spells out of the first team. On 14.11.59 Digger played in a 1-1 draw at Kettering in the FA Cup 1st Round and he also featured in the replay at Hartsdown Park on 19.11.59 that Margate won 3-2. He was then part of the side that drew 0-0 with visitors Crystal Palace in the 2nd Round on 5.12.59.
Digger scored four times during the campaign and the best of his goals was a 25 yard strike in a 1-1 draw at Dover on 23.4.60. By then he was in the midst of a good run in the senior side and Digger featured in each of the last 13 games of the season. In its review of the campaign the East Kent Times said that "he proved a good utility player...and never gave a bad showing".
After a few early season domestic problems Digger established himself during 1960/61 and made 34 appearances. He scored four goals including a stunning solo effort in a 3-2 win over Poole at Hartsdown on 15.4.61. Digger set off on a mazy run from the halfway line and beat two players before lashing home. However it turned out to be his last goal for Margate as he was released at the end of the season. He'd been constantly barracked by supporters during home matches and had struggled on the left wing for much of the season, mainly due to being right-footed.
After a few months out of the game Digger joined Ramsgate in October 1961. He was a regular scorer for the Rams during 1961/62 and was also sent off in a game at Trowbridge in January 1962.
Digger left Ramsgate in the summer of 1962 and underwent a cartilage operation before returning to Aldershot, playing almost exclusively for their reserves during the early part of the 1962/63 season. In January 1963 he returned to Margate on trial, hoping to come back on a permanent basis.
Digger made his first appearance on 9.2.63 as Margate beat Nuneaton 3-1 at Hartsdown but he only played once more before being released.
During the 1963/64 season he was playing for Chertsey and scored twice in their 5-2 win over Margate Reserves on 8.2.64. He was still at Chertsey during 1965/66.
During his time at Margate Digger was a sheet metal worker and his son Kieron later played non-league football for clubs including Chertsey.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
|
|
1959/60 (MFC) |
29 (57) |
N/A |
4 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (7TH OF 22) |
2R |
1R |
RU |
SF |
|
| Played in FA Cup
1st Round (14.11.59 - drew 1-1 at Kettering). Played in FA Cup 1st Round replay (19.11.59 - beat Kettering 3-2 at home). Played in FA Cup 2nd Round (05.12.59 - drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at home). Played in Kent Senior Cup Final (18.04.60 - drew 0-0 with Dover). Played in Kent Senior Cup Final replay (28.04.60 - lost 1-0 to Dover). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
|
|
1960/61 (MFC) |
34 (50) |
N/A |
4 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (15TH OF 21) |
4QR |
2R |
2R |
1R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
KFC | |
|
1962/63 (MFC) |
2 (66) |
N/A |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 20) |
1R |
SF |
RU |
W |
W |
| Margate won Southern League Division One title and promoted to Premier Division. | |||||||||