William Robb (footballer, born 1895) explained

William Robb
Birth Date:20 March 1895
Birth Place:Rutherglen, Scotland
Death Place:Aldershot, England
Height:[1]
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthclubs1:Eastern Burnside
Clubs1:Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
Years2:1914–1915
Caps2:40
Goals2:0
Years3:1915–1917
Years4:1916
Clubs4:Royal Albert (loan)
Years5:1917–1920
Caps5:43
Goals5:0
Years6:1919–1920
Clubs6:Armadale (loan)
Years7:1920–1926
Caps7:227
Goals7:0
Years8:1926–1930
Caps8:130
Goals8:0
Years9:1930–1937
Clubs9:Aldershot
Years10:1937–1939
Clubs10:Guildford City
Totalcaps:440
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:1918[2]
Nationalteam1:Scotland (wartime)
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1921–1924[3]
Nationalteam2:Scottish League XI
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1925–1927
Nationalteam3:Scotland
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0

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.

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The 1914–15 season at hand . Old Blue . Sports Argus . Birmingham . 29 August 1914 . 1.
  2. http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/1918+-+Scotland+v+England 45,000 view the charity 'national match
  3. Web site: Willie Robb – Scotland Football League Record . London Hearts . 23 May 2018.
  4. Book: Matthews, Tony . Birmingham City: A Complete Record . 1995 . Breedon Books . Derby . 120 . 978-1-85983-010-9.
  5. Matthews, p. 160.
  6. Matthews, p. 161.
  7. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . SoccerData . Nottingham . 2004 . 222 . 978-1-899468-67-6.
  8. A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players. John Litster. Scottish Football Historian magazine. October 2012.
  9. http://www.fitbastats.com/rangers/player.php?playerid=1702 (Rangers player) Robb, Willie
  10. http://www.fitbastats.com/hibs/player.php?playerid=5837 (Hibernian player) Robb, Willie
  11. Web site: Guildford City . Football Club History Database . Richard Rundle . 24 December 2008.
  12. Web site: William Robb: A Squad . Scottish Football Association . 23 May 2018.