Roberts was born in the UK, and with his family emigrated to Millicent, South Australia.

Robert spent four seasons with East Fremantle; it included being selected in the Western Australian state team in 1969.

In the 15 games he played with South Melbourne, he caught the attention of the umpires and was second in the Brownlow Medal.

[citation needed] Roberts was a publican and for many years had a hotel in South Melbourne.

In the 1990s, he took over the licensee of the Duke of Wellington Hotel in Flinders St. Additionally, he wrote newspaper columns and did radio football commentary.