Walter Robbins


Walter William Robbins was a Welsh professional footballer and Wales international.

Club career

Having previously worked for a local brewery, Robbins was serving a motor engineering apprenticeship when he rose to attention after scoring 70 goals during a single season for Ely United in the Cardiff and District League at the age of 16. He signed for Cardiff City, making his debut during the 1928–29 season against Portsmouth before scoring his first goal for the club in his next game, a 1–1 draw with Bolton Wanderers. Relegation to Division Two saw the departures of George McLachlan and Fred Warren during the following season, handing Robbins a regular first team place. On 6 February 1932, Robbins scored five goals during a 9–2 win over Thames, which remains the club's record league win. Several months later, Robbins was sold to West Bromwich Albion where he spent 8 years before the outbreak of World War II.

International career

In 1929, Robbins was selected for the Football Association of Wales tour of Canada but these matches were not classed as international cap matches. His Cardiff City teammates Len Davies, Fred Keenor and Fred Warren were also selected for the tour. He made his full debut for Wales on 25 October 1930 in a 1–1 draw with Scotland.

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
1.18 November 1931Anfield, Liverpool, England1–31932 British Home Championship
2.7 December 1932Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales4–11933 British Home Championship
3.7 December 1932Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales4–11933 British Home Championship
4.4 October 1933Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales3–21934 British Home Championship

After retirement

Following the end of World War II, Robbins worked as a trainer with Cardiff City and Newport County.