In 1988, Roberts picked off then-Leicester Falcons quarterback Sean Payton to secure a 19-14 win.[2] In April of that year, Roberts, along with Joe St. Louis of the London Ravens were to be flown to Chicago for trials with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.[3] It was this year that Roberts set a record of 8 turnovers, 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries, that would stand for 27 years.[4]
Roberts was instrumental in the Bulls' win over the Nottingham Hoods in the 1991 semi-final, intercepting the ball twice and returning one for the winning score.[5] In 1994, Roberts intercepted the ball 8 times, then a record, since matched by Gareth Thomas.[6]
Following his move to the Arrows in 2008, Roberts came out of retirement and found himself on the active roster.[8]
International careeredit
Roberts made his debut for the GB Lions in 1986 against the Netherlands in a series of two victories in the European Nations Championship Qualifier.[9]
Roberts was part of the Lions squad that defeated France 26-0 at the Alexander Stadium to secure their place in the 1987 European Nations Championship.[10]
He was also selected to be a part of the final victorious squad for the 1991 European Nations Championship in Finland, and was one of eight Lions selected to the All-Europe team.[11]
Coaching careeredit
Roberts joined former team, the Redditch Arrows, as a defensive backs coach in 2008.[12]
Roberts returned to the Bulls in 2011 under head coach Steve Hannington as a defensive backs coach alongside former Bulls and Arrows teammate Mark Williams.[13] When former Arrows coach Ian Hill took over the reins in 2012, Roberts stayed on as a defensive backs coach for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.[14]
When new head coach Mark Pagett installed his staff for 2015, Roberts remained as defensive backs coach.
Under his tutelage, Bulls defensive backs have represented the GB Lions national team[15] and others have broken Bulls records for interceptions and takeaways set by Roberts himself during his playing days.[16] Several defensive backs to have played under Roberts have received Team or Defensive MVP awards.[17][18]
Achievementsedit
Honoursedit
1991 All-Europe Team
BritballNow Alltime British Allstar Squad
Recordsedit
Most Takeaways in Birmingham Bulls history
T-Most Fumble Recovery Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history
Most Interceptions in Birmingham Bulls history
Most Kick Return Yards in Birmingham Bulls history
T-Most Kick Return Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history
Most Punt Return Yards in Birmingham Bulls history
Most Punt Return Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history[19]
paul, roberts, american, football, paul, roberts, born, december, 1963, birmingham, united, kingdom, former, british, american, football, defensive, back, played, birmingham, bulls, redditch, arrows, also, internationally, lions, roberts, regarded, britball, c. Paul Roberts born 20 December 1963 Birmingham United Kingdom is a former British American football defensive back who played for the Birmingham Bulls Redditch Arrows and also internationally for the GB Lions Roberts is regarded by the Britball community as one of the best defensive backs to play the game in Britain 1 Paul RobertsNo 23Position CornerbackPersonal informationBorn 1963 12 20 December 20 1963 age 60 Birmingham United KingdomCareer historyBirmingham Bulls Redditch ArrowsCareer highlights and awards1991 All Europe Team Britball Now All time British All star Squad Contents 1 Playing career 1 1 International career 2 Coaching career 3 Achievements 3 1 Honours 3 2 Records 4 ReferencesPlaying career editRoberts joined the Bulls in 1985 In 1988 Roberts picked off then Leicester Falcons quarterback Sean Payton to secure a 19 14 win 2 In April of that year Roberts along with Joe St Louis of the London Ravens were to be flown to Chicago for trials with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers 3 It was this year that Roberts set a record of 8 turnovers 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries that would stand for 27 years 4 Roberts was instrumental in the Bulls win over the Nottingham Hoods in the 1991 semi final intercepting the ball twice and returning one for the winning score 5 In 1994 Roberts intercepted the ball 8 times then a record since matched by Gareth Thomas 6 Roberts last played for the Bulls in 2006 7 Following his move to the Arrows in 2008 Roberts came out of retirement and found himself on the active roster 8 International career edit Roberts made his debut for the GB Lions in 1986 against the Netherlands in a series of two victories in the European Nations Championship Qualifier 9 Roberts was part of the Lions squad that defeated France 26 0 at the Alexander Stadium to secure their place in the 1987 European Nations Championship 10 He was also selected to be a part of the final victorious squad for the 1991 European Nations Championship in Finland and was one of eight Lions selected to the All Europe team 11 Coaching career editRoberts joined former team the Redditch Arrows as a defensive backs coach in 2008 12 Roberts returned to the Bulls in 2011 under head coach Steve Hannington as a defensive backs coach alongside former Bulls and Arrows teammate Mark Williams 13 When former Arrows coach Ian Hill took over the reins in 2012 Roberts stayed on as a defensive backs coach for the 2013 and 2014 seasons 14 When new head coach Mark Pagett installed his staff for 2015 Roberts remained as defensive backs coach Under his tutelage Bulls defensive backs have represented the GB Lions national team 15 and others have broken Bulls records for interceptions and takeaways set by Roberts himself during his playing days 16 Several defensive backs to have played under Roberts have received Team or Defensive MVP awards 17 18 Achievements editHonours edit 1991 All Europe Team BritballNow Alltime British Allstar Squad Records edit Most Takeaways in Birmingham Bulls history T Most Fumble Recovery Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history Most Interceptions in Birmingham Bulls history Most Kick Return Yards in Birmingham Bulls history T Most Kick Return Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history Most Punt Return Yards in Birmingham Bulls history Most Punt Return Touchdowns in Birmingham Bulls history 19 References edit Who were the greatest The Birmingham Bulls American Football Club 1984 1988 Michael James Talbot 2013 The Birmingham Bulls American Football Club 1984 1988 Michael James Talbot 2013 Defensive records set by DB Gareth Thomas Allstar Defensive Backs Defensive records set by DB Gareth Thomas 2 2006 Player Roster 2008 Team Roster 1986 GB Lions 1987 GB Lions 1991 GB Lions Arrows bring in four new coaches The Stampede Keeps Growing Senior Staff Complete Bulls receive Great Britain invites Defensive records set by DB Gareth Thomas 2012 Awards Night 2015 Award Winners Regular Career Records Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Paul Roberts American football amp oldid 1161555636, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
