Starting as an apprentice at Millwall, Roberts signed his first full contract in April 1979 and went on to make 146 league appearances for the club.

He was transferred to Brentford in September 1983 and added a further 62 league games to his tally.

After a spell playing in Finland, Roberts returned to England to sign for Swindon Town in September 1985, making 27 league outings for them. He then moved to Southend United in July 1986, and although he only had one season there, featured in 38 league matches in the promotion winning side. His next move was to Aldershot in August 1987, and he played in 39 league games before joining Leytonstone and Ilford at the end of the season. He was playing for Tampa Bay Rowdies in November 1988.

Signing for Exeter City on non-contract forms in December 1988, Roberts was described by manager Terry Cooper as being ‘a hard man who will sort a few out.’ Roberts was keen to return to the U.S.A. after leaving City, but that was not to be. Roberts who said on signing for City: “Have boots will travel. That’s me. I’ll play anywhere as I just love playing,” made his Grecians’ debut on Boxing Day 1988 against Torquay United.
The Express and Echo carried the following story by Trina Lake when he signed for Exeter City. 

"EXETER CITY have signed utility player Paul Roberts on a non contract basis and he will make his Fourth Division debut for the club in the home game against Here- fore United on Boxing Day (12.0). The 26-year-old Londoner can play in either full back position or midfield and is described my manager Terry Cooper as "A hard man who will sort a few out." Roberts has played more than 300 league games at third and Fourth Division level. He started his career as an apprentice with Millwall and played in their FA Youth Cup winning side. He was captain of the first team at 18 before George Graham sold him to Brentford. From there he moved to Swindon and figured regularly in their Fourth Division promotion side and was at Southend when they went up to Division 3. He played 39 games for Aldershot last season and struck up a friendship with striker Tommy Langley that has now brought him to St James's Park after a month in the United States playing exhibition games for Rodney Marsh's Tampa Bay Rowdies. "Tommy told Terry Cooper about me and they're struggling for experienced players here at the moment so I don't mind helping out. Have boots will travel that's me. I just -love playing football," said the effervescent East Ender. His arrival at city was delayed through suspension after being sent off while playing for Leytonstone/Ilford in the Vauxhall Opel League Premier Division. But he's raring to go now and Cooper hopes his bubbly character will be as infectious on the pitch as it has been in the dressing room so far. Roberts plans to return to the States in February or March so the non contract deal with city suits him perfectly. And the club are satisfied, as Cooper explained. "It suits me, especially with Steve Harrower and Paul Batty out. Roberts will be able to cover for them in the short term and then we'll have to see what happens.' The new man will replace Batty against Hereford. The City skipper, waiting to go into hospital for another cartilage operation, was drafted into the team at Peterborough last week as an emergency measure in an injury crisis.

He was soon ‘travelling’ again though moving back to Southend United for a second spell at the club in January 1989, and he stayed for two seasons making 54 league outings.

After playing for Fisher Athletic, Roberts got his final chance at League level when signing for Colchester United in September 1993, and he remained at the club until the end of the following season, adding a further 63 league games and scoring his one and only goal in league football.

After leaving Colchester he signed for Chesham United.