Wilf Rostron

Wilf Rostron

Personal information
Full name	John Wilfred Rostron
Date of birth	(1956-09-29)29 September 1956
Place of birth	Sunderland,England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Defender/Midfielder
Youth career
	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1973–1977	Arsenal	17	(2)
1977–1979	Sunderland	76	(7)
1979–1989	Watford	317	(22)
1989	Sheffield Wednesday	7	(0)
1989–1991	Sheffield United	36	(3)
1991	Brentford	42	(2)
Total		495	(46)
International career
1972	England Schoolboys	8	(8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Wilfred Rostron(born 29 September 1956) is an English formerfootballerwho made nearly 500 appearances in theFootball League.He spent ten years withWatfordand had shorter spells withArsenal,Sunderland,Sheffield Wednesday,Sheffield UnitedandBrentford.He started off as a left-winger but then spent most of his career as a left-back.

Playing career

Rostron started his career atArsenal,signing professional terms in October 1973 after a season as an amateur playing in Arsenal's youth team. He made his first-team debut againstNewcastle Unitedon 18 March 1975 and played a total of six league matches that season. However, he could not fully break into the Arsenal first team, making only 19 appearances for the club in three seasons, scoring two goals. He moved to home town clubSunderlandin July 1977 for £40,000.

After two seasons at Sunderland, Rostron signed forWatfordin October 1979 for £150,000. Playing as a left-winger he had sporadic success. During the1980–81Watford managerGraham Taylorplayed Rostron as a left-back to his initial surprise. Rostron played well and went on to make that position his own. He was part of the Watford side that achieved promotion toDivision Onein the1981–82season. He then won the club'sPlayer of the Seasonaward as Watford got to their highest ever finish of 2nd in the1982–83season.

In the1983–84season Watford reached theFA Cup Final.Rostron, by this time Watford's captain, was sent off in a league fixture againstLuton Townpreceding the final and incurred a suspension. He was consigned to the sidelines as Watford lost 2–0 toEverton.Nonetheless, Rostron won the Player of the Season award again that year. Rostron was capped over 400 times for the Hornets, scoring 30 goals altogether.

He moved on to joinSheffield Wednesdayon a free transfer in January 1989. His spell atHillsboroughlasted only 8 months, and he was loaned to the Owls' rivalsSheffield Unitedin September 1989, a move which was made permanent in November of that year. Rostron made 36 appearances for the Blades, scoring three times in all. One of his goals was in the 5-2 victory at Leicester on 5th May 1990, which helped the Blades seal promotion to the top division as Wednesday got relegated on the same day. He moved toBrentfordin January 1991 where he brought an end to his playing days two years later.

Managerial career

He became the assistant manager of clubsBrentfordandGatesheadin 1993. He then went on to manage Sunderland Ryhope CW during 1994.

Personal life

After his playing days came to an end Rostron worked for a furniture company. He later went on to establish his own furniture business. He settled in Sunderland.

Honours

• Watford F.C. Player of the Season:1982–83, 1983–84

References

General

• Harris, Jeff (1995). Hogg, Tony (ed.).Arsenal Who's Who.Independent UK Sports.ISBN1-899429-03-4.
• Jones, Trefor (1996).The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who.Surrey: T.G Jones.ISBN0-9527458-0-1.
• Phillips, Oliver (2002).The Golden Boys: A study of Watford's cult heroes.Herts: Watford Football Club.ISBN0-9528631-6-2.
• Phillips, Oliver (1992).History of Watford FC 1881–1991.Great Britain: Watford Football Club.ISBN0-9509601-6-0.
• "Wilf Rostron".UK A-Z Transfers.Neil Brown.Retrieved8 January2018.