Bill Robinson

Who was Bill Robinson?

Bill Robinson was a professional footballer who played as a centre forward for Sunderland, Charlton Athletic and West Ham United.

Robinson was born in Whitburn, Northumberland, England. While at Sunderland, who he joined as an apprentice at the age of 15, and having an opportunity in the first team there was one memorable game on Saturday, March 4, 1939, just short of his 20th birthday that he scored four goals in a 5-2 win against Manchester United. This included a four-minute hat-trick starting in the 60th minute before netting his fourth near the end. This is possibly one of the fastest hat tricks on record. He then joined Charlton – where he had scored 16 goals in 51 appearances and won the FA Cup in 1947. West Ham then signed him for a fee of £7,000. A week after signing for West Ham, who he played for between 1949 and 1952, Robinson scored on his debut, a 1-2 away win against West Bromwich Albion on 15 January 1949. He went on to make 105 appearances for the Upton Park club, and score 61 goals before finishing is playing career due to injury.

He then joined the coaching staff at West Ham United.