Birthday greetings to midfield legend Rob Welsby (Robbie Williams)

Rob Welsby is 43 today

He was an all-action central midfielder who represented most of North Wales’ top football clubs in a sparkling career.

Today Robbie Williams celebrates his 43rd birthday.

Born on February 11, 1978, the former Wrexham youth player first appeared for hometown club Conwy United in the 1997/98 League of Wales season.

Robbie (centre of front row, cup at feet) with Wrexham AFC

In 1999-2000 he moved to Bangor City, where he won the Welsh Cup in his first season at Farrar Road.

Robbie laid on the winning goal for Paul Roberts in the final against Cwmbran Town at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, after a dazzling run and cross.

Welsh Cup glory with Bangor City

The following season, he featured for City in both legs of their Uefa Cup tie against Halmstads of Sweden.

Later that campaign he signed for Rhyl, scoring in the club’s record 7-0 League of Wales victory over Llanelli.

In the same game Lee Trundle notched a hat-trick – his final goals for the club before signing for Wrexham.

Robbie (fourth left – front row) with Colwyn Bay

Robbie’s next port of call was Colwyn Bay, where he was part of a great side which included Colin Caton, Deiniol Graham and Craig Lawton.

Two seasons with Caernarfon Town followed between 2004-06, then came a return to Colwyn Bay, where his combative play was always appreciated by the management and fans.

More glory was around the corner for Robbie as in 2009-10 he was a key man in Lee Dixon’s Llangefni Town squad which won the Cymru Alliance League title.

Robbie (to right of manager Lee Dixon front row) celebrates Cymru Alliance title success with Llangefni Town

Unfortunately, Cefni were refused promotion to the Welsh Premier League on criteria issues.

In 2011-12, Robbie made an emotional return to Conwy,

More silverware for Robbie (back row – second left) with FC Mally

More recent years have seen Robbie star for Llandudno Junction based side FC Mally, who won a triple quadruple in the Rhyl and District Sunday League.

Robbie has also made a few appearances for progressive tier three club Llandudno Albion.

He is now known as Rob Welsby. He apparently got rid of the surname Williams as he was getting tired of people asking him when he was rejoining Take That. 😂

Happy birthday Robbie – one of the finest midfielders of the new millennium to kick a ball in North Wales.