Bob Wilson (footballer, born 1941) facts for kids
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Wilson in 2009
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Primrose Wilson | ||
| Date of birth | 30 October 1941 | ||
| Place of birth | Chesterfield, England | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1961–1963 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
| 1963–1974 | Arsenal | 310 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 1971 | Scotland | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert Primrose Wilson is a famous former football goalkeeper from Scotland. He was also a well-known TV presenter.
Bob Wilson played for 11 years at Arsenal, where he played over 300 games. He also played for the Scottish national team. After he stopped playing football, he became a coach and a TV presenter. He presented football shows for 28 years until 2002. Bob Wilson also started a charity called the Willow Foundation to remember his daughter.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Bob Wilson was born on October 30, 1941, in Chesterfield, England. His father, William, was a town engineer, and his mother, Catherine, was a magistrate. Bob was the youngest of six children.
Sadly, two of his older brothers died during the Second World War. One was a pilot, and the other was a gunner in a bomber plane. Bob also spent time studying at Loughborough College.
Playing for Clubs
Bob Wilson started his professional football career a bit later than most. His father wanted him to focus on his education first. Bob played for Wolverhampton Wanderers as an amateur player between 1961 and 1963.
He then joined Arsenal in July 1963. He was still an amateur for eight months before becoming a professional player in March 1964.
Becoming Arsenal's Goalkeeper
Bob Wilson played his first game for Arsenal on October 26, 1963. It was a 4–2 win against Nottingham Forest. For a few years, he was a backup goalkeeper.
In 1968, he became Arsenal's main goalkeeper. He played in every game during the 1968–69 season. This included the 1969 League Cup Final, which Arsenal lost to Swindon Town.
Winning Trophies with Arsenal
In the 1969–70 season, Bob Wilson won his first trophy with Arsenal. They won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. The next year, in 1971, was a very special season for Arsenal. They won both the League title and the FA Cup, which is called a "Double".
Bob Wilson played in every single game that season. He was even named Arsenal's Player of the Year for 1970–71. He was also the first goalkeeper to wear a number on his back, number 1.
Later Career and Retirement
Bob Wilson continued to be Arsenal's goalkeeper in the early 1970s. He had an injury in 1972 that made him miss the 1972 FA Cup Final. However, he got his spot back once he was healthy.
He surprisingly retired from playing football in May 1974, when he was 32 years old. Bob Wilson was known for his special way of saving goals by diving at the feet of opposing players. This brave technique often caused him injuries during his career.
Playing for Scotland
In 1970, the rules changed, allowing players to play for their parents' home countries. This meant Bob Wilson could play for Scotland. He played his first game for Scotland on October 13, 1971, against Portugal. He also played one more game for Scotland against the Netherlands.
Coaching Career
After he stopped playing, Bob Wilson became a goalkeeping coach for Arsenal. He coached for 28 years. During this time, famous goalkeepers like Pat Jennings, John Lukic, and David Seaman were coached by him.
He retired from coaching at the end of the 2002–03 season. He helped Arsenal win two more "Doubles" in 1997–98 and 2001–02. He was one of only two people to be involved in all three of Arsenal's "Double" wins.
Broadcasting Career
Bob Wilson also had a long career in television. He started as a football expert for the BBC during the 1970 World Cup.
Working at the BBC
From 1974 to 1994, he worked for the BBC. He was the host of Football Focus. He also presented Grandstand and Sportsnight sometimes. In the 1980s, he co-presented Match of the Day. He also helped cover the World Cup for the BBC.
Moving to ITV
In 1994, Bob Wilson moved to ITV. There, he presented coverage of the UEFA Champions League, League Cup, and FA Cup. He also hosted ITV's coverage of Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup.
After 1999, his role at ITV became smaller. He mostly presented late-night highlight shows. He left ITV after the 2002 World Cup. He still sometimes appears on TV shows like Football Focus and Match of the Day 2.
Personal Life
Bob Wilson married Margaret "Megs" Miles on July 25, 1964. They had three children: John, Anna, and Robert. His son, John Wilson, is a presenter on a BBC Radio 4 arts program. Sadly, Megs Wilson passed away in November 2023.
In April 2014, it was announced that Bob Wilson was battling prostate cancer.
Charity Work
In February 1994, Bob Wilson's daughter, Anna, was diagnosed with a type of cancer. She passed away on December 1, 1998, just before her 32nd birthday. To honor her memory, Bob Wilson started the "Willow Foundation" charity in 1999.
The charity helps young people in the UK, aged 16–40, who are diagnosed with serious illnesses. They help these young people have special "Special Days" to create positive memories. In 2007, Bob Wilson was given an award called an OBE for his amazing charity work.
Honorary Award
In 1989, Loughborough University gave Bob Wilson an honorary award called Doctor of Letters.
Honours
Arsenal
- Football League First Division: 1970–71
- FA Cup: 1970–71
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1969–70
Individual
- Arsenal Player of the Season: 1970–71
See also
In Spanish: Bob Wilson (futbolista) para niños
- List of Scotland international footballers born outside Scotland
