Roman Bednář
A towering Czech striker whose thunderous left foot and aerial prowess made him a feared goal-scorer across multiple European leagues.
Born 1983 (age 43)·Czech footballer·Birthday: March 26·Millennials
Biography
Born in Prague, Roman Bednář’s football journey was one of powerful finishes and nomadic success. He announced himself at FK Jablonec before a move to Heart of Midlothian in Scotland, where his physical style and goal-scoring touch quickly made him a fan favorite. His most prolific spell came in the Czech First League with Baník Ostrava, where his consistent finishing earned him the league's top scorer award. Bednář’s talents also took him to West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League and later to Turkey. While injuries occasionally interrupted his momentum, his reputation as a classic, no-nonsense number nine remained intact. After hanging up his boots, he transitioned into coaching, aiming to impart the lessons of a career built on resilience and a keen eye for goal.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Roman was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Roman Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Roman's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Czech First League Top Goalscorer award in the 2007–08 season while playing for Baník Ostrava.
- Scored 14 goals in 35 appearances for Heart of Midlothian, helping the club to a second-place finish in the Scottish Premier League in 2005–06.
- Earned a transfer to the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion following his successful spell in Scotland.
- Represented the Czech Republic at the under-21 level during his early career.
Did You Know?
He scored a hat-trick for Baník Ostrava in a memorable 5-1 victory against rivals Sparta Prague in 2008.
Bednář's professional debut was for FK Jablonec at the age of 17.
He played alongside Czech footballing great Pavel Nedvěd during his youth career at Sparta Prague.
“A striker's confidence comes from the sound of the ball hitting the net.”
