John Roberts: Burly Welsh defender who won 22 caps for his country and was part of Arsenal’s 1971 double-winning team

He netted a highly acceptable 16 goals in 37 League outings for the Swans

Powerful: Roberts rises highest at Highbury in October 1971 (Evening Standard/Getty)

Welsh international John Roberts was a brawny central defender who collected a championship medal with Arsenal in 1970-71, but lost his place in the second half of the season, thus missing out on Wembley glory as the Gunners became only the second team in the 20th century to win the League and FA Cup double.

“Garth”, as he was dubbed, was an engagingly gentle fellow off the field, but on it he was a fearsome aerial combatant and powerful tackler. However, he tended towards awkwardness on the ball, and was ousted by the classier Peter Simpson midway through November.

A former railway fireman, Roberts started his professional football career when Swansea Town (now City) signed him from his hometown club, non-League Abercynon Athletic, in July 1964.

Then a striker, he netted a highly acceptable 16 goals in 37 League outings for the Swans, with whom he suffered demotion to the basement division in 1967, but also won Wales under-23 honours.

That November he stepped back up to the third tier with Northampton Town, who converted him into a centre-half; and even though he could not prevent another relegation in 1969, he had done enough to earn a £35,000 switch to Arsenal at season’s end.

He was seen as a potential long-term successor to Ian Ure, who was soon to join Manchester United, but Roberts was raw, and made a hesitant Highbury beginning. Still, buoyed by the coaching of Don Howe and Steve Burtenshaw, he commenced 1970-71 at the core of the Gunners’ rearguard as partner to the inspirational Frank McLintock, until two disappointing displays against Crystal Palace cost him his berth. Happily, his 18 appearances qualified him for a title medal and in 1971-72 he briefly regained his place on merit before Simpson reasserted himself.

In October 1972, Roberts, by now a full international on his way to 22 caps, was sold to top-flight rivals Birmingham City for £150,000, but his four years there were dogged by injury.

Having been part of the squad, but not the team, which reached the last eight of the 1976 European Championships, Roberts accepted a £30,000 transfer to Wrexham, for whom he starred as they were crowned Third Division champions and won the Welsh Cup in 1977-78.

His final League billet – with Hull City, whom he joined for £15,000 in August 1980 – was marred by further injuries, and he moved to Oswestry Town in 1981.

IVAN PONTING

John Griffith Roberts, footballer; born Abercynon, Glamorgan 11 September 1946; died 4 January 2016.