A former Scottish goalkeeper, Bob Wilson OBE played for Arsenal for most of his career, becoming a greatly respected figure for the side. Wilson also became a widely recognisable media figure after his playing career, broadcasting football television programmes for 28 years. A delightful football speaker, Bob has over 40 years of experience in the professional football world, making him a pre-eminent expert of the game.
Having started late as a professional player, due to the fact Wilson’s father would not permit him to sign for Manchester United as in his view football was not a reasonable form of employment, as a result Bob had to train as a teacher at Loughborough College before signing for Arsenal in 1963 as an amateur. In this deal, Bob became the first ever amateur to have a transfer fee to be paid, a sum of £7,500. A fee that would consequently harvest 234 appearances for the club.
Making his debut against Nottingham Forest on 20th October 1963 in a 4-2 win, it would be a full four years before Bob Wilson would become the first team keeper, due to Bob being an obligatory understudy to Jim Furnell. Now, many years on, a stalwart figure within the team, Bob won his first trophy, the Fairs Cupin the 1969-70 season despite sustaining a broken arm, Wilson recovered to be a part of that side. Named Arsenal’s player of the year for 1971, Wilson played every game in a season that culminated in a double campaign victory of both the League Cup and FA Cup. As both a student and teacher of goalkeeping, Wilson identified his own signature technique as diving at his opponents’ feet to save goals. This in turn caused him a number of injuries throughout his career.
He became eligible to play for Scotland when a rule change in 1970 to allowed players to play for their parents’ countries of origin, if they had not already played for their own country. Wilson was soon selected by Scotland manager Tommy Docherty for his first match in charge, against Portugal on 13 October 1971. Wilson was also selected for the match against the Netherlands in December, this would be his final international appearance.
A goalkeeper for Arsenal for the start of the 70s, Bob retired at the age of 32 in May 1974. Having worked for the BBC as a pundit for the 1970 World Cup, Bob became a TV Presenter for the BBC between 1974 and 1994, as well as being the host of Football Focus. After 1994, Bob fronted the coverage of the Champions Leaguealongside Des Lynam for ITV.
Having retired, Wilson embarked upon a journey as a goalkeeping coach for Arsenal for 28 years during the period Pat Jennings, John Lukic, and David Seaman were goalkeepers, this coaching took place alongside his punditry. He retired at the end of the 2002–03 season, having helped Arsenal win two more doubles in 1997–98 and 2001–02, as only one of two people to have been involved with all three.
A delightful football speaker at events, Bob can utilise the vast experience he gained in front of the camera to engage and interact with guests and give audience members an insight into top-flight football alongside a number of tales from changing room happenings of years gone by. A true gentleman and enchanting football speaker, Bob Wilson OBE, is a fantastic after dinner speaker for your event.
