Bob Atkins
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Gary Atkins[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 16 October 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Leicester,[1] England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1978–1980 |
Leicester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1980–1982 |
Enderby Town | ||
| 1982–1985 | Sheffield United | 40 | (3) |
| 1985–1990 |
Preston North End | 200 | (5) |
| Total | 240 | (8) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert Gary Atkins (born 16 October 1962) is an English former
Preston North End.[3]
Early years
Atkins was originally on the books of
non-league football with Enderby Town (later Leicester United). It was while playing for Enderby that Sheffield United spotted him and after an initial trial period the 20-year-old Atkins signed a permanent deal with The Blades
.
The Sheffield United and Preston years
In two and a half years at
Preston North End
with the possibility of making the move permanent.
At the end of a season that saw Preston relegated, Atkins, along with Brazil, signed permanently for the club for a combined fee of £25,000. With Preston now in the Fourth Division, Bob was beginning to find his feet. However, although originally a
centre back. It was here that Bob really started to shine. Given the nickname "Skillful Bob" by the fans due to his ability to bring the ball out of defence and look for a passing option rather than "hoof" it as many lower league defenders did he was a mainstay and a rare sign of hope in what turned out to be Preston's worst ever campaign with the club finishing 91st in the Football league
.
The following
player of the year
in 1987-88 and was also awarded the club captaincy in 1988–89.
Injuries
The
Tranmere Rovers on Boxing Day
1989 more or less wiped out his season, and although he returned for the final third of the season Bob was never to kick a ball for Preston again. The following season (1991–92) Bob spent on the treatment table trying to overcome his injury problems, but at the end of the season he was forced to admit defeat and hang up his boots. He now lives back in Leicester.
References
- ^ a b "Bob Atkins". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ "Bob Atkins". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ^ "Rotherham United v Sheffield United, 21 April 1984". 11v11.com. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Sheffield United league performance history: League Division Three table at close of 1983-84 season". 11v11.com. Retrieved 11 January 2021.