Player #378 for Aston Villa, Robert Thomas James Iverson, known as Bob Iverson, played as a forward for the club. Bob played for Villa between 1936-37 and 1947-48 making 153 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

Bob was born in Folkestone on 17 October 1910 and made his debut appearance for Villa on the 19 December 1936 aged 26.

Villa had signed Bob from Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1936 and he went on to make 22 league appearances, scoring once in his debut season.

For the era Bob was a well travelled player having having turned out for his native side Folkestone as well as Tottenham, Ramsgate, Lincoln and Wolves before arriving at Villa.

In his first full season of 1937-38 Bob missed just 3 matches as Villa stormed to the Second Division Championship, and he also played in the FA Cup semi final defeat to eventual winners Preston North End.

For Villa’s return season to the top flight in 1938-39, Bob repeated his appearance and performance feats of the previous season and only the suspending of football for WW2 prevent Bob’s career momentum from growing.

Like many players of the era, Bob lost 6 years to the Second World War as the suspension prevented professional football from operating however Bob returned to Villa to resume his career once peace was restored. Initially this was in the 1945-46 regional league where Bob had his most prolific season - 18 goals in 41 appearances. Although only 8 of those games and 2 of those goals came in the FA Cup which were the only professional fixtures of the campaign.

On the return of League football proper for the 1946-47 season, Bob’s career was already winding down but he made 29 appearances that season before retiring from football after playing his final game at the start of the following season on 30 August 1947 aged 36.

Described by the club as one of the finest and most consistent players ever to don the claret and blue jersey, Bob, a Villa stalwart, was a consistent presence in the first team before the emergence of Dicky Dorsett and Eddie Lowe began to limit his appearances.

Even out of the first team however, the wing half continued to serve Villa in fine fashion, captaining the reserve side in the Central League and regularly contributing goals - including one after just 9.5 seconds. That came against Charlton Athletic at Villa Park on 3 December 1938. However Bob had done a similar thing during a Central League game at Goodison Park on Christmas Day 1947 when, after three moves of the ball, he netted without an opponent touching it. Unfortunately no timekeeper was present so it is not known whether Bob beat his own record.

Bob however wasn’t just a goalscorer and could stake a claim as being Villa’s best ‘utility’ man able to play at both inside right and half back as well as being a humorous presence in the dressing room that kept his team-mates entertained throughout his long tenure in the side.

Off the pitch Bob was a self-taught pianist who revelled in jazz whilst his quick witted banter in the dressing room raised smiles whatever the circumstances.

Described as a “grand club man” Bob provided yeoman service to Villa and was often touted as being like a fine wine - getting better each year.

Bob however stayed on with the Villa in other capacities and after his retirement as a player he became reserve, youth-team and later first team and fourth team coach.

Bob played under Jimmy Hogan and Alex Massie.

Tragically Bob passed away in Birmingham on 19th July 1953 aged just 42."