GRAHAM Roberts may be the Terras’ most famous export but twice he has attempted to return as manager only to be denied a job interview on each occasion.

Former chairman George Rolls apparently approached the former Tottenham Hotspur defender and England international during his troubled tenure between November 2009 and February 2012, but after promising Roberts “the Earth”, he then ended the ongoing talks somewhat abruptly.

Roberts, who is the guest speaker at tomorrow’s ‘Return of the Legends’ night at the Riviera Hotel, told Echosport: “I have applied for the manager’s job at Weymouth twice but never even got an interview.

“The former owner George Rolls rang me once and offered me the Earth. I said I could get them out of the trouble they were in at the time and also bring some good players down, but after agreeing to call me on the Saturday I never heard from him again.”

Former Weymouth manager Stuart Morgan was the man that recognised Roberts’ talents back in 1979 when he purchased the defender from local rivals Dorchester Town for a fee of £6,000.

The Terras were part of the new Alliance Premier League at that time and Roberts helped the club finish runners-up in a highly-successful season.

He said: “Not only did we finish second but we were also unfortunate not to go further in the FA Trophy.

“I can remember drawing 2-2 at Boston United in the third round and then losing 1-0 in the replay, which we really should have won. We had a very good side and it was a very enjoyable season.

“Stuart was the manager and John Clarke was his assistant.

“Steve Chalk was between the posts and outfield we had the likes of Anni Iannone, Paul Arnold, Tommy Paterson, Kevin Dove and Neil Merrick, who were all very good players.”

Roberts was the shining light though, and on May 14, 1980 he made the giant leap to the top flight by moving to Spurs in a deal initially worth £35,000 – a non-League record at the time.

During his time at White Hart Lane, the South-ampton-born ace went on to win two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup before joining Rangers in 1986 and going on to enjoy further triumphs in the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish League Cup. He also won six caps for England.

Roberts, renowned at the time for being one of the game’s ‘hard men’, added: “Towards the end of the 1979-80 campaign there were a few clubs interested in me.

“Oxford United was one of them and I can also remember going for a meeting at West Bromwich Albion.

“Stuart Morgan was with me and when he said Tottenham had also made a bid I ended up deciding to go there.

“That summer I had a good pre-season and within a couple of months I was playing in the first team.

“There is no way that sort of thing would happen now because the big clubs are too rich to look that low.

“I suppose I was quite lucky in a way but I went there, worked hard, and took my opportunity.

“I had a fantastic time at Tottenham and I will always be grateful to Weymouth and Stuart Morgan for the part they played in helping me get there.”

He continued: “After so many appearances and my debut for England, Weymouth received further payments, taking the total to around £80,000, so they did quite well out of me in the end.

“Stuart was a great manager and when he signed me he said I wouldn’t be there very long.

“He was convinced I would go on to better things and I trusted his word.”

After Rangers, Roberts went on to win the old Division Two title with Chelsea before enjoying spells at West Brom, Stevenage, Yeovil and Slough where he eventually hung up his boots in 1999.

Managerial posts at Enfield, Yeovil and Clyde were then followed by coaching positions with Pakistan and Nepal, but it will always be his no-nonsense style on the pitch that he will be best remembered for.

Not only was Roberts feared by his opponents but his commitment to the cause was always unquestionable, as he proved in the 1981 FA Cup Final when he had his front teeth knocked out but still refused to leave the field.

Spurs went on to draw 1-1 with Manchester City that day before Ricky Villa’s famous goal saw them go on and win the replay 3-2 just five days later.

Commenting on his guest appearance at this week’s legends night, Roberts, 53, said: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“It will be great to catch up with everyone and I am also looking forward to attending the home game the following day against Barwell, when hopefully the legends can help bring in a big crowd.

“I know a lot of them are staying down for that and hopefully we will get to meet with some of the fans in the bar afterwards.

“It promises to be a great couple of days.”