LoAFRS 5 – Common, Crompton, Roberts

Legends of Association Football Rookie Series – Group 5 Alf Common, Bob Crompton and Charlie Roberts 

11. Alf Common 

Alf Common is the next on the Legends of Football list. Early in his career, Alf was a very sought after player as he broke the record transfer fee when he was transferred to Sunderland for a record 520 pounds.  A year later, he shattered the transfer fee record again when he was transferred from Sunderland to Middlesbrough for 1000 pounds in an effort for Middlesbrough to avoid relegation.  

Rookie Card: Year 1902 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set Name – General Interest F Series – Card Number – 345 Blank Backs

Card Notes:

Ogden’s cards are often difficult to date; however, Ogden’s often profiled the FA cup winners and players in their sets. Sheffield United won the FA Cup in 1902 and several United players were profiled in the F-Series sets likely dating it around 1902. Common only joined Sheffield United in 1901.

12. Bob Crompton 

Called the “greatest Rover of them all”, Robert Crompton spent his entire career with the Blackburn Rovers. He is considered one of the best backs of all time and had an astonishing 41 caps and was captain of the England squad 22 times.  In addition to Football League Legends list, Crompton is one of only a handful of players who played before World War 1 to become a member of the English Football Hall of Fame. 

Rookie Card: Year 1905 – Manufacturer Singleton & Cole – Set Name – Footballers – Card Number – 31

Card Notes:

Crompton started his career in 1896 but his first card was issued 10 years later by Singleton & Cole. However, this is a very scarce card.

13. Charlie Roberts 

Charlie Roberts actually didn’t make the Legends list and yet somehow did make it into the English Football Hall of Fame.  Anyway, he deserves to be on both lists.  Roberts was an outstanding defensive player and Captain for Manchester United, leading them to two first division titles as well as an FA Cup. He was a controversial figure as he and Billy Meredith were founding members of the Players’ Union after one of their teammates died on the field. Charlie Roberts earned three caps for England, but it is likely he would have earned more had he not been blacklisted for his part in the formation of the Union.  However, the Hall of Fame decided look past his involvement in the Player’s Union and awarded him a spot in the English Football Hall of Fame.

Rookie Card: Year 1906 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set Name – Football Club Colours – Card Number – 37 

Card notes:

As the set is entitled Football Club Colours, the card doesn’t actually state Charlie Roberts name, but rather the team he played for which was Manchester United. Roberts joined Manchester United in 1904. Roberts was capped 3 times in 1905 becoming Man U’s first international player.

The information provided is based upon research conducted on the subject; however, football cards and their issued dates should be considered vast evolving subject matter. I will update to the best of my knowledge as new information comes available but no one source should be considered definitive. If you have comments or corrections, please contact me and I will do my best to provide the most accurate information available.