About Jock Robson
Lived 1899 – 1995 (aged 95–96). Jock Robson was a British association football player.
John Hardy Robson (15 April 1899 – 1995) was a Scottish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.
Born in Innerleithen, Tweeddale, Robson played as a goalkeeper despite only standing at 5'8". Robson had served in the First World War with the Seaforth Highlanders; after returning home he played for local side Vale of Leithen. In November 1921, Robson was signed by Arsenal for £5, and initially was the club's third-choice goalkeeper behind Ernest Williamson and Stephen Dunn. With little experience and his lack of height, he was never expected to be thrust into the first team, but after first Williamson and then Dunn suffered poor form, Robson made his debut for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers on 26 December 1922. Arsenal won 5-0 and Robson kept his place.
Robson played for the rest of the 1922–23 season, keeping twelve clean sheets in twenty matches, and he became an ever-present in the Arsenal side for the next season and a half; Arsenal were by no means a top side at this time, flirting dangerously with relegation in 1924 and 1925, but Robson's athletic keeping helped keep them up. However, after Welsh international Dan Lewis joined Arsenal in late 1924, Robson had to share goalkeeping duties with him.
Robson started the 1925–26 season as first-choice but after new Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman signed Bill Harper in November 1925, Robson's days at Arsenal were numbered. He made his last first-team appearance in a 5–2 win against Manchester City on 7 November 1925. After spending the rest of the season in the reserves, Robson left Arsenal in August 1926 for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. In all, he played 101 matches for Arsenal.
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Important facts
People in Jock Robson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jock Robson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jock Robson?
Scottish footballer (1899-1995)
When was Jock Robson born?
Jock Robson was born on 15 April 1899 in Innerleithen.
When did Jock Robson die?
Jock Robson died in 1995.
What was Jock Robson's occupation?
Jock Robson was an association football player.
What nationality was Jock Robson?
Jock Robson was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jock Robson. https://biography.guide/jock-robson/
MLA: "Jock Robson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jock-robson/.
Chicago: "Jock Robson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jock-robson/.
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