Walter Robbins
| 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 | |||
Walter William Robbins (24 November 1910 –1979) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward. He represented Wales from 1930 to 1935.
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[edit]
Having 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[edit]
In 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 |  Ireland |
4–1 | 1933 British Home Championship |
| 3. | 7 December 1932 | Ireland |
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.