Bob Delgado

Robert Allan Delgado (born 29 January 1949) is a Welsh former footballer who made 281 league appearances in a ten-year career in the Football League. He was a versatile player with power both in the air and in the tackle.

He moved from non-League Barry Town to Luton Town in 1970 before joining Carlisle United the following year. Following a loan spell with Workington in 1973, he moved on to Rotherham United. He helped the "Millers" to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1974–75, before joining Chester in October 1975 for £6,000. He was sold to Port Vale for £30,000 in December 1978, before leaving the English game for American club Miami Americans in 1980. He later had spells with English club Oswestry Town, Welsh club Colwyn Bay, and Hong Kong side Bulova SA.

Early life Robert Allan Delgado was born in Cardiff on 29 January 1949. He was the son of Pedro (known as Peter) Delgado, a native of the Cape Verde islands, a seaman who settled in Cardiff in the early 20th century. Delgado was the first Black player to represent Carlisle United and Rotherham United in the Football League.

Career Delgado signed for Luton Town from Barry Town in February 1970, after Harry Haslam spotted him playing for the Southern League side. However, he never took to the field at Kenilworth Road and was moved on to Carlisle United in 1971. The "Cumbrians" finished tenth in the Second Division in 1971–72 under Ian MacFarlane. Failing to nail down a first-team place at Brunton Park under new boss Alan Ashman in 1972–73, Delgado was loaned out to Workington of the Fourth Division. A move to Rotherham United followed, who had just been demoted to the basement division of the Football League. Jimmy McGuigan guided the "Millers" to 15th in 1973–74, before the Millmoor club returned to the Third Division with a third-place finish in 1974–75.

He moved to league rivals Chester in October 1975, with manager Ken Roberts paying out a £6,000 fee. He became a favourite with the fans thanks to his 'hard man' approach. He made his debut on Boxing Day in a 6–2 defeat to Barnsley at Oakwell.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Luton Town 1970–71 Second Division

1971–72 Second Division

1972–73 Second Division

1973–74 Second Division

35!!3!!4!!1!!4!!0!!43!!4 Workington (loan) 1973–74 Fourth Division

1973–74 Fourth Division

1974–75 Fourth Division

1975–76 Third Division

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1975–76 Third Division

1976–77 Third Division

1977–78 Third Division

1978–79 Third Division

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1978–79 Fourth Division

1979–80 Fourth Division

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Honours Rotherham United Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1974–75