Bobby Folds

Robert James Folds (born 18 April 1949) is an English former footballer, who had a short and injury-affected professional career but played at a semi-professional level for nearly twenty years.

Career Born in Bedford, he joined local club Bedford Town of the Southern Football League while still at school. Bedford manager Basil Hayward took over as manager of Gillingham of the Football League Third Division in 1966 and recruited a number of players from his former club, including Folds, who joined the "Gills" as the club's first ever apprentice-professional. Nonetheless, his ability to operate in many different positions on the field of play was considered important to the squad. In August 1971 he was released from his contract at Priestfield Stadium and joined Northampton Town of the Fourth Division.