December 21 2010

Dickie Roberts

Dickie Roberts has the accolade of being Crystal Palace's first-ever goalscorer.

Roberts came from Middlesbrough for £100 at Palace's inception having also worn the colours of West Brom and Newcastle.

Playing in the outside left position, he was a direct winger with an eye for goal and scored 25 times in his 99 appearances for the claret and blue.

The landmark goal came just four minutes into the club's inaugural match at home to Southampton Reserves in Southern League Division Two on September 2, 1905, which was a powerful low shot.

Archie Needham and George Thompson added further goals as Palace raced into a 3-0 lead. But a tired Palace outfit, who had played a fixture the day before, lost Dick Harker to injury and with only 10 men allowed Southampton to score four to win 4-3.

That turned out to be the South Londoners' only defeat of the season as they went on to claim the league title with Roberts netting six goals.

The Redditch-born player joined Worcester City in 1908 before retiring a year later due to injury.

Dickie Roberts 1905-08. Appearances 99, goals 25.

In Depth Palace Pioneers

Email the HOL editor with your comments to editor@holmesdale.net