Walter Robbins

Walter Robbins
Personal information
Full name Walter William Robbins
Date of birth (1910-11-24)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

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

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

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

  • Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
  1. ^ "West Bromwich Albion. Directors rely on reserves". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. iv – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "OUR MANAGERS". Swansea City A.F.C. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players, Davies and Garland 1991
  4. ^ "Club history". Cardiff City F.C. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  5. ^ "British "FA XI" tours". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Scotland 1-1 Wales". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 20 March 2010.