Meet the Player: Mark Roberts (Denbigh Town)
One of the finest players ever to wear a Denbigh Town shirt comes under the spotlight from Grassroots North Wales today.
Mark Roberts has just signed on for another season at Central Park.
The prolific net-finder and skipper will lead Town in the tier 3 Ardal North West.
Full Name
Mark David Roberts
Date of Birth
11th May 1986
Occupation
Head of Commercial at Boots Hearingcare
Teams you have played for
Denbigh Town, Llandyrnog United, Buckley Town, Caernarfon Town, Corwen.
Position
Centre Forward
Most memorable game played in
From an experience perspective, it would have to be the Word Cup Final in 2016.
Although the result didn’t go our way, it was a brilliant road to the final, taking a few big scalps along the way and we caught the imagination of a lot of the town who turned up in their droves and didn’t stop making a racket all evening.
Playing in a televised game in front of such a big crowd which included the then Wales manager, Chris Coleman, will take some topping. We lost out 2-0 to a very strong TNS side, but put up a very good fight
Biggest highlight of football career so far
Playing against Scotland U21s up in Airdrie United was a big highlight, but nothing could top winning the Welsh Alliance League during the invincible season of 2013/14.
The deciding game was a Friday night fixture against a very strong Holywell Town in front of a packed Central Park.
After narrowly missing out on promotion the previous season to Caernarfon Town, securing promotion with what was a very tight knit squad is something I won’t forget.
And with Rich Cooke at the helm, the celebrations were well worth the bollockings throughout the season.
Best goal scored
Blaenau Amateurs away last season – Jake Walker nodded the ball back to me about 35 yards out, I hit a speculative half volley which somehow managed to nestle in the top left corner.
Most goals in a game
I scored 8 against Blaenau in the Welsh Cup a couple of seasons back
Most goals in a season
Not sure about most in a season, but I have had a couple of 35+ seasons
Strengths to your game
Pace and an eye for goal
Weaknesses
My first touch! It’s a good job I have/had pace…
Best team-mate played alongside
I’ve been fortunate enough to play alongside some great players over the years, but in terms of someone I felt was just playing at a different level was Gary Roberts during my first couple of seasons breaking into Denbigh’s first team.
You could always tell he would play at a decent standard, so was no surprise to see his career unfold at the likes of Portsmouth, Wigan and Huddersfield.
Hardest opponent faced
Danny Jellicoe. Toughest centre half I have ever faced. Strong, quick and athletic. Never used to get a sniff and always knew I’d been in a game the next morning
Funniest team-mate
Graham Owen. Played with Graham at a couple of clubs and it’s never a dull moment on and off the pitch. Certainly made some of the away commutes a bit more entertaining
Favourite away ground
Rhyl’s Belle Vue. As a junior all cup finals were played there, so even playing as an adult it always felt like an occasion. Great facilities, great pitch and the support is always first class.
Personal football ambitions
Before I finally hang my boots up, I’d love to get Denbigh back up to the Cymru North.
The club, its ambition, volunteers, supporters and facilities deserve to be playing as high a standard as possible and if I can contribute to getting the club a promotion then it would be a brilliant way to sign off.
RANDOM QUESTIONS
Best country visited
Thailand
Favourite chocolate bar
Fruit and Nut
Best after-match venue
Mason’s Arms
Best film seen
Pulp Fiction
Current favourite song
Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
Favourite TV show
Breaking Bad
TV show you dislike most
As a relatively recent dad, Bing – that rabbit drives me insane!
Best quality as a person
Hard working
Worst fault
Speed to reply to messages
Best live show/concert seen
Any of the Courteeners gigs over the years
How do you see Denbigh Town’s prospects for the new season?
This season will be interesting. The new structure means the league will be a lot more competitive than it has been in recent years.
Porthmadog dropping down from the Cymru North along with some very established clubs joining from the Wrexham area, will make it a very difficult league to call.
But from the players who have committed to the club already, I believe we have a stronger squad than last season.
Combined with the additions to the coaching staff, I would fully expect us to be in contention come the end of the season.
Tell us something about you we might not know
I am a chartered accountant and hold a Masters Degree