Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Roper worked his way up through the Bescot Stadium ranks to sign professional forms in May 1995. He collected the 2002–03 Player of the Year award to add to the Young Player of the Year prize that he earned a couple of years earlier. He was an important member of the back-line who did well to get his Saddlers' career back on track after falling out of favour for a spell under former boss Ray Graydon, which saw him placed on the transfer list. He completed his resurgence by signing a new three-year contract at the end of the 2003–04 season, but suffered at the hands of suspension and injury for much of 2004–05. He returned to the side in early February 2005 and was soon back to his solid best with some commanding displays in the heart of the back-line.
In March 2007, Roper suffered significant damage to his knee following an injury picked up during the 1–0 defeat at Stockport County on 20 February.[2] In May of the same year, Roper agreed a new one-year contract with Walsall.[3] Roper, along with eight other players was released at the end of the 2007–08 season by the managerless club.[4]
Luton Townedit
Roper joined Luton Town on a free transfer in August 2008.[5] His no-nonsense defending and important goals soon turned him into a fan favourite.[citation needed] Injury and the return of George Pilkington to central defence limited Roper's chances during the second half of the season, but he played a total of nineteen league games for Luton in 2008–09, scoring three goals.
Kettering Townedit
On 30 July 2009, Roper signed for Conference Premier side Kettering Town on a free transfer.[6] He was appointed Kettering captain in September 2009. He scored his first goal for the club against Leeds United in the FA Cup and followed this up with a neat finish against Grays Athletic in the league. In May 2010, Roper signed a new two-year contract with the club.[7]
Tamworthedit
After impressing during a pre-season trial, Roper followed former Poppies manager Marcus Law to rivals Tamworth in July 2011.[8] Roper however decided a week later that he did not want to continue his playing career in the Conference, and asked for his Tamworth contract to be cancelled, as he wished to continue his playing career at a lower level. Tamworth manager Marcus Law accepted Roper's request, and he went in search of a new club.
Bedworth Unitededit
Roper agreed to drop down three levels to join Southern Football League side Bedworth United in August 2011. Bedworth United manager Steve Farmer said Roper was drawn in by the clubs ambitions and described it as a major "coup" to get someone of his experience. Roper joined having played in the club's three previous friendlies, and will have a major influence on the younger players at the club, said Farmer.[9]
^Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2006). Sky Sports Football Yearbook: 2006–2007. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 550. ISBN0-7553-1525-1. OCLC 68771078.
^"Ligament damage rules Roper out". BBC Sport. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2007.
^"Ince and Roper stay at Saddlers". BBC Sport. 28 May 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2007.
^"Wrack and Roper leaving Saddlers". BBC Sport. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
^"Luton Town bring in 11 new faces". BBC Sport. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
^"Kettering sign Roper from Luton". BBC Sport. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
^"Ian Roper and Nathan Abbey sign new Kettering contracts". BBC Sport]. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
^Chris Philpotts (14 July 2011). "Veteran pros give Law perfect mix". Tamworth Herald. p. 108.
^. NuneatonNews. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ian Roper.
Ian Roper at Soccerbase
December 07, 2023
roper, robert, roper, born, june, 1977, former, english, footballer, played, defender, personal, informationfull, nameian, robert, roperdate, birth, 1977, june, 1977, place, birthnuneaton, englandheight6, position, defendersenior, career, yearsteamapps, 1995, . Ian Robert Roper born 20 June 1977 is a former English footballer who played as a defender Ian RoperPersonal informationFull nameIan Robert RoperDate of birth 1977 06 20 20 June 1977 age 46 Place of birthNuneaton EnglandHeight6 ft 3 in 1 91 m 1 Position s DefenderSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1995 2008Walsall325 7 2008 2009Luton Town19 3 2009 2011Kettering Town70 1 2011Tamworth0 0 2011 2013Bedworth United 2 Club domestic league appearances and goals correct as of 08 03 10 May 2012 UTC He made over 300 appearances in the Football League for Walsall between 1995 and 2008 Contents 1 Career 1 1 Walsall 1 2 Luton Town 1 3 Kettering Town 1 4 Tamworth 1 5 Bedworth United 2 Honours 3 References 4 External linksCareer editWalsall edit Born in Nuneaton Warwickshire Roper worked his way up through the Bescot Stadium ranks to sign professional forms in May 1995 He collected the 2002 03 Player of the Year award to add to the Young Player of the Year prize that he earned a couple of years earlier He was an important member of the back line who did well to get his Saddlers career back on track after falling out of favour for a spell under former boss Ray Graydon which saw him placed on the transfer list He completed his resurgence by signing a new three year contract at the end of the 2003 04 season but suffered at the hands of suspension and injury for much of 2004 05 He returned to the side in early February 2005 and was soon back to his solid best with some commanding displays in the heart of the back line In March 2007 Roper suffered significant damage to his knee following an injury picked up during the 1 0 defeat at Stockport County on 20 February 2 In May of the same year Roper agreed a new one year contract with Walsall 3 Roper along with eight other players was released at the end of the 2007 08 season by the managerless club 4 Luton Town edit Roper joined Luton Town on a free transfer in August 2008 5 His no nonsense defending and important goals soon turned him into a fan favourite citation needed Injury and the return of George Pilkington to central defence limited Roper s chances during the second half of the season but he played a total of nineteen league games for Luton in 2008 09 scoring three goals Kettering Town edit On 30 July 2009 Roper signed for Conference Premier side Kettering Town on a free transfer 6 He was appointed Kettering captain in September 2009 He scored his first goal for the club against Leeds United in the FA Cup and followed this up with a neat finish against Grays Athletic in the league In May 2010 Roper signed a new two year contract with the club 7 Tamworth edit After impressing during a pre season trial Roper followed former Poppies manager Marcus Law to rivals Tamworth in July 2011 8 Roper however decided a week later that he did not want to continue his playing career in the Conference and asked for his Tamworth contract to be cancelled as he wished to continue his playing career at a lower level Tamworth manager Marcus Law accepted Roper s request and he went in search of a new club Bedworth United edit Roper agreed to drop down three levels to join Southern Football League side Bedworth United in August 2011 Bedworth United manager Steve Farmer said Roper was drawn in by the clubs ambitions and described it as a major coup to get someone of his experience Roper joined having played in the club s three previous friendlies and will have a major influence on the younger players at the club said Farmer 9 Honours editWalsallFootball League Second Division play offs 2000 01 Football League Two 2006 07Luton TownFootball League Trophy 2008 09References edit Rollin Glenda Rollin Jack eds 2006 Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006 2007 London Headline Publishing Group p 550 ISBN 0 7553 1525 1 OCLC 68771078 Ligament damage rules Roper out BBC Sport 1 March 2007 Retrieved 1 March 2007 Ince and Roper stay at Saddlers BBC Sport 28 May 2007 Retrieved 28 May 2007 Wrack and Roper leaving Saddlers BBC Sport 7 May 2008 Retrieved 7 May 2008 Luton Town bring in 11 new faces BBC Sport 8 August 2008 Retrieved 8 August 2008 Kettering sign Roper from Luton BBC Sport 30 July 2009 Retrieved 30 July 2009 Ian Roper and Nathan Abbey sign new Kettering contracts BBC Sport 27 May 2010 Retrieved 27 May 2010 Chris Philpotts 14 July 2011 Veteran pros give Law perfect mix Tamworth Herald p 108 Bedworth pull off Roper coup NuneatonNews 3 August 2011 Archived from the original on 20 March 2012 Retrieved 3 August 2011 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ian Roper Ian Roper at Soccerbase nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ian Roper amp oldid 1178976269, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
