Ex-Fratton favourite in surprise Accy switch

GARY ROBERTS has made a surprise move to Pompey’s League One promotion rivals Accrington Stanley, writes WILL ROONEY.

The Pompey League Two title winner has joined John Coleman’s side for the rest of the season as Accy aim to ‘do something special with him’ in the team.

Roberts, who scored 20 goals in 80 games during his two years at Fratton Park, left crisis club Wigan Athletic in November before joining Bala Town.

However, after spending just more than a month at the Welsh outfit, Roberts is back plying his trade in the third tier and rejoined Accrington.

The cultured left-footer helped Stanley reach the Football League in 2006 before going on to represent the likes of Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town, Swindon Town and Pompey.

Accy have been the surprise package in League One this season. They sit in eighth spot and are two points outside the play-off places with three games in hand on sixth-placed Charlton Athletic.

Coleman’s delighted to have prised Roberts to the Wham Stadium – and is hoping he can help inspire an unlikely promotion.

‘I think his experience will be invaluable,’ the Accrington boss told the club’s website.

‘He has been promoted several times in football and he is still a very good player.

‘It was a no-brainer and it will give the lads a boost.

‘I think it’s the longest gap between a player coming back!

‘I am really proud of his career. When he was here he set the world alight, scored a lot of goals, and got the move to Ipswich.

‘I remember watching him soon after in the East Anglian derby (against Norwich City) and he played really well.

‘He has gone on to play at some big clubs, done really well, and he has worked hard on his fitness.

‘I can’t remember him running as much as he does now when he played for us the first time!

‘He has got every last drop out of his career.

‘We are hoping this can be his swansong and we can do something special with him in this side.’

Roberts will come up against Pompey when their postponed clash is rearranged.

The Blues were due to travel to Stanley on Saturday but the game was called off because of a frozen pitch.