As a player, Roeder played as a defender for Arsenal, Leyton Orient, Queens Park Rangers, Notts County, Newcastle United, Watford and Gillingham.

[2] He made his name as a classy ball-playing defender who was a member of the Orient playing squad in the Second Division during the 1970s that reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1978.

[2] He transferred to Queens Park Rangers for £250,000 in August 1978 where he made 181 senior appearances and captained the team to the 1982 FA Cup Final against Tottenham, missing the replay due to suspension, and to the Second Division title in 1983.

Roeder transferred to Newcastle United for £125,000 in December 1983, where he was captain and made 219 senior appearances during five years at the club, winning promotion from the Second Division in 1984.

[8] Roeder followed his tenure at Watford by taking a season away from the limelight, assuming a back seat role as Chris Waddle's assistant manager at Burnley.

[10] Roeder proved to be both an unpopular and controversial figure to the Burnley fans, hitting a low point when he was reported to have said that star player Glen Little was "not fit to lace the boots" of manager Chris Waddle.

[12] Roeder then worked as a coach under Glenn Hoddle for the England national team, before West Ham manager Harry Redknapp offered him an opportunity in club football again in 1999.

However at the end of the 2000/2001 season Redknapp left the club following a dispute over transfer funds, and the Hammers' failed in their attempts to attract Steve McClaren and then Alan Curbishley.

However the club recovered to finish in 7th position in Roeders first season in charge, with young player Jermain Defoe making an immediate impact up front with Frederic Kanoute and Schemmel going on to win the Hammer of the Year award.

West Ham had spent no money over the summer, their only significant permanent signing being free agent Gary Breen who had impressed at the 2002 World Cup for Ireland.

The board made limited funds available after Christmas, and the January signings of Rufus Brevett, Les Ferdinand and loan of Lee Bowyer on a short-term deal helped to improve the clubs form, winning 4 and drawing 3 of their next 10 games.

[27] In the 2003 close season, many of West Ham's star players, such as Trevor Sinclair,[28] Frédéric Kanouté[29] and Joe Cole left the club as a result of relegation.

Freddy Shepherd however lobbied the backing of all 19 other premier league club chairmen and they voted in favour of Roeder being allowed to gain the correct licence while in the job.

Roeder believed the two of them would work well together, however Bond's contract at the club was terminated after allegations he was prepared to take bungs for players whilst at Portsmouth.

[42] After the 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United at home on 4 November 2006, there was a fan protest outside St. James' Park, that was shown live on Sky Sports channel PremPlus.

[55] On 25 July 2008, Roeder was fined £1,000 and given a suspended two-match touchline ban at a FA disciplinary hearing after criticising referee Andy D'Urso following a 2–1 defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate Stadium on 29 March.

[56] Both Roeder and assistant Lee Clark reacted angrily to Bristol City being awarded a 91st minute free kick from which they scored the winner.

[55] In May 2008 a few days after the last game of the season Roeder decided not to renew Darren Huckerby's contract which angered many supporters as they were unable to give him a proper sendoff.

When the team lost the FA Cup third round replay 1–0 at Carrow Road against Charlton, who had not won in 18 games, Roeder was sacked the following day.