William Robb (footballer, born 1895)

William R. Robb (20 March 1895 – 18 February 1976) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in the English Football League for Birmingham and Aldershot, and in the Scottish League for Third Lanark, Rangers and Hibernian. He won two full caps for the Scotland national team.

William Robb
Personal information
Date of birth (1895-03-20)20 March 1895
Place of birth Rutherglen, Scotland
Date of death 18 February 1976(1976-02-18) (aged 80)
Place of death Aldershot, England
Height 5 ft 11+3⁄4 in (1.82 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Eastern Burnside
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
1914–1915 Birmingham 40 (0)
1915–1917 Vale of Leven
1916 → Royal Albert (loan)
1917–1920 Third Lanark 43 (0)
1919–1920 → Armadale (loan)
1920–1926 Rangers 227 (0)
1926–1930 Hibernian 130 (0)
1930–1937 Aldershot
1937–1939 Guildford City
Total 440 (0)
International career
1918[2] Scotland (wartime) 1 (0)
1921–1924[3] Scottish League XI 2 (0)
1925–1927 Scotland 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Club

Robb was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, and as a teenager played for clubs including juniors Kirkintilloch Rob Roy before moving to England, where he turned professional with Second Division club Birmingham.[4] He made his debut in a 3–1 defeat at Bury on 24 February 1914 while still only 18,[5] and played in every match of Birmingham's 1914–15 season.[6] He returned to Scotland when English football was suspended for the First World War[4] and played for a variety of clubs, including two seasons with Third Lanark.[7][8]

Robb was signed to Rangers by Bill Struth in 1920 and stayed there for six years, making 251 appearances.[9] He made his debut against Ayr United on 13 April 1920, starting in a 2–1 win for Rangers. From the end of the 1919–20 season until midway into the 1925–26 season, Robb played in every league and Scottish Cup match that Rangers were involved in; this run came to an end on 31 October 1925, after 241 consecutive matches.[8]

Robb left Ibrox in 1926 to move to Hibernian. He won a second Scotland cap with Hibs and made 137 appearances,[10] but lost his place in the team in 1930 after dislocating a finger.

Returning to England, Robb joined Southern League champions Aldershot Town.[4] He contributed to their gaining election to the Football League in 1932,[11] and played 177 matches for them in that league,[7] before playing two seasons for Guildford City, whom he helped win the championship of the Southern League.[4] He retired in 1939 at the age of 44.[4]

International

Robb gained two Scotland caps during his career, both coming against Wales, in 1925 and 1927. He made his debut on 31 October 1925 and kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 win at Ninian Park, Cardiff.[12] He was also capped twice for the Scottish League representative side.[7]

Honours

Rangers[9]

Guildford City

References
  1. Old Blue (29 August 1914). "The 1914–15 season at hand". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 1.
  2. 45,000 view the charity 'national match, Sunday Post, 9 June 1918 (via Partick Thistle History Archive)
  3. "Willie Robb – Scotland Football League Record". London Hearts. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  4. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  5. Matthews, p. 160.
  6. Matthews, p. 161.
  7. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  8. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. (Rangers player) Robb, Willie, FitbaStats
  10. (Hibernian player) Robb, Willie, FitbaStats
  11. "Guildford City". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
  12. "William Robb: A Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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