Robbie Painter

Robbie Painter (born 26 January 1971, Wigan) is a former English professional footballer. He played in The Football League for six clubs between 1987 and 2001, usually as a striker.

Playing career

Painter was just 16 when he made his Football League debut as a substitute for Chester City at Bristol City on 21 November 1987. Although he appeared again from the bench a fortnight later against Doncaster Rovers, Painter then had to wait more than a year for his next first-team action. He began to play regularly towards the end of the 1988–89 season, alongside fellow homegrown youngsters Aidan Newhouse, Chris Lightfoot and Colin Woodthorpe. He remained involved in first-team duties for the next two years but at the end of the 1990–91 season he opted to join Fourth Division side Maidstone United for an initial £30,000 along with team-mate Neil Ellis.

After less than a year at Maidstone, Painter returned north by joining Burnley for £25,000, helping them clinch the Fourth Division title. He holds the honour of scoring the division’s last goal before the leagues were rebranded. A year later he moved on again to Darlington in another £25,000 deal. Painter’s three-year stint at Feethams included an appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Division Three play–off final against Plymouth Argyle, where Darlington suffered a 1–0 defeat.