Charles 'Les' Roberts, who made no more than a dozen appearances for Exeter City,  had played for a string of clubs when he arrived at St James Park from Manchester City in 1932. Starting his professional career with Aston Villa - and playing for Bristol Rovers, Bournemouth and Swindon amongst others along the way - he left the Grecians to sign for Crystal Palace ahead of turning out for another five professional clubs. 

Les started with Aston Villa in 1920/21 and, after a season with Bristol Rovers, had his first taste of first-team football whilst with Chesterfield in 1922/23. Spending the next campaign in the reserves at Sheffield Wednesday, he subsequently played for Merthyr Town (12 league matches) and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic where he netted 10 goals in 51 league outings. He then had spells between 1926 and 1932 with Bolton Wanderers, Swindon Town (106 league appearances, 32 goals), Brentford and Manchester City.

Now thirty-one, Les signed for Exeter City in February 1932 and, travelling down from Manchester, met his new teammates at Paddington ahead of the game at Queen’s Park Rangers. Keeping his place for all-but-two of the remaining games of the season, Les finished the season with 11 appearances and goals against Clapton Orient, Brighton and Mansfield (two). 

Leaving St James’ Park in the summer of 1932, Les saw out his lengthy professional career with stints with Crystal Palace, Chester, Rotherham United, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United and, finally, New Brighton.

Les died on 29 May 1980