{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 1988)}} {{Use British English|date=April 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Robbie Weir | image = Robbie Weir York City v. Wrexham 14-11-10 1.png | image_size = 200 | caption = Weir playing for York City in 2010 | fullname = Robert James Weir<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |accessdate=10 January 2018}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|12|9|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|25712|accessdate=10 January 2018}}</ref> | birth_place = Belfast, Northern Ireland | height = {{convert|1.75|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/robbie-weir/ |title=Robert Weir |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |accessdate=5 August 2018 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204527/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/robbie-weir/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | position = Central midfielder<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe167266/robbie-weir/ |title=Robbie Weir: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref> | currentclub = Crusaders | clubnumber = 6 | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2004 | youthclubs1 = Larne | years1 = 2004–2005 | clubs1 = Larne | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2005–2011 | clubs2 = Sunderland | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = → York City (loan) | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2011 | clubs4 = → Tranmere Rovers (loan) | caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2011–2012 | clubs5 = Tranmere Rovers | caps5 = 39 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2012–2016 | clubs6 = Burton Albion | caps6 = 160 | goals6 = 7 | years7 = 2016–2017 | clubs7 = Leyton Orient | caps7 = 17 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2017–2020 | clubs8 = Chesterfield | caps8 = 92 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 2020 | clubs9 = Waterford | caps9 = 14 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2021– | clubs10 = Crusaders | caps10 = 147 | goals10 = 0 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U18 | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalyears2 = | nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U19 | nationalcaps2 = | nationalgoals2 = | nationalyears3 = 2009–2010 | nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U21 | nationalcaps3 = 7 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2009 | nationalteam4 = Northern Ireland B | nationalcaps4 = 1 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 26 April 2026 | nationalteam-update = }} '''Robert James Weir''' (born 9 December 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Crusaders. He has played in the English Football League for Tranmere Rovers, Burton Albion and Leyton Orient and Chesterfield.
==Club career== ===Larne=== Born in Belfast,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/robbie-weir-236842/ |title=Robbie Weir |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref> Weir started his career with the Larne youth system.<ref name=NIFG>{{cite web |url=http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2009/10/robbie-weir.html |title=Robbie Weir |website=Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats |publisher=Jonny Dewart |date=18 October 2009 |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref> He started playing for the first team in the 2004–05 season as a 15-year-old and he scored his first goal in a 5–2 victory over Crusaders on 9 October 2004.<ref name=NIFG/> He had unsuccessful trials with Fulham, Stoke City and Rangers, although Larne manager Jimmy McGeough criticised these, saying "I'm not sure it proves anything. He's a great prospect and one who'll learn his trade in senior football here".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4081227.stm |title=McGeough unhappy over Weir trials |website=BBC Sport |date=9 December 2004 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4122065.stm |title=Ards 0–3 Larne |website=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2004 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref> Weir agreed to sign for Championship club Sunderland in February 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4242383.stm |title=Weir completes move to Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2005 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref> He finished the season with two Irish Premier League goals and played in the 2005 Irish Cup Final, which Larne lost 5–1 to Portadown, and was named the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nil05.html |title=Northern Ireland 2004/05 |first=Martin |last=Harris |date=3 January 2007 |website=RSSSF |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4531909.stm |title=Glendinning wins top player award |website=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2005 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref>
===Sunderland=== Weir played for Sunderland in their youth team and was part of the team that reached the Premier Academy League Final in May 2007, where they were beaten 4–1 by Leicester City in a penalty shoot-out.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6670861.stm |title=Foxes triumph in Academy showdown |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2007 |access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> He joined Conference Premier club York City on 12 November 2010 on a one-month loan following a trial.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9185819.stm |title=Gary Mills moves to boost York City squad |website=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Wrexham on 14 November 2010 and after impressing manager Gary Mills the loan was extended until 10 January 2011 in December.<ref name=NLCD2012/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/8718559.Robbie_Weir___s_York_City_loan_period_extended/ |title=Robbie Weir's York City loan period extended |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=3 December 2010 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9359451.stm |title=York City boss Mills eager to bring back Robbie Weir |website=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> He finished the loan with eight appearances.<ref name=NLCD2012/>
===Tranmere Rovers=== Weir signed for League One club Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of 2010–11 on 14 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9397599.stm |title=Tranmere bring in Sunderland midfielder Robbie Weir |website=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat away to Peterborough United as a 75th-minute substitute on 19 February.<ref name=sb1011/> At the end of the 2010–11, Weir was released by Sunderland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk/news/20110407/sunderland-to-release-eight_2256213_2333480/0,,10281,00.html |title=Sunderland to release eight |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C. |date=7 April 2011 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130505041922/http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk/news/20110407/sunderland-to-release-eight_2256213_2333480/0,,10281,00.html |archivedate=5 May 2013}}</ref>
In May 2011, he was offered a contract by Tranmere and subsequently agreed to sign for the club permanently.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10365~2356474,00.html |title=Rovers offer six new contracts |publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C. |date=9 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513095616/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10365~2356474,00.html |archivedate=13 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/tranmere-rovers/2011/05/13/tranmere-rovers-to-consider-bayern-munich-move-for-dale-jennings-92534-28686899/ |title=Tranmere Rovers to consider Bayern Munich move for Dale Jennings |first=Nick |last=Hilton |newspaper=Liverpool Daily Post |date=13 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828152645/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/tranmere-rovers/2011/05/13/tranmere-rovers-to-consider-bayern-munich-move-for-dale-jennings-92534-28686899/ |archivedate=28 August 2011}}</ref> He signed for the club on 29 June 2011 on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13959515 |title=Tranmere seal deals for Robbie Weir and Michael Kay |website=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2011 |accessdate=29 May 2018}}</ref> His first goal for the club came on the first day of 2011–12, in a 1–0 home win against Chesterfield.<ref name=sb1112/> He was released at the end of 2011–12.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10365~2762894,00.html |title=Moore rebuilding squad |publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C. |date=8 May 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511045214/https://tranmererovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10365~2762894,00.html |archivedate=11 May 2012}}</ref>
===Burton Albion=== On 31 May 2012, Weir signed a two-year contract with League Two club Burton Albion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18280389 |title=Burton Albion bring in Tranmere midfielder Robbie Weir |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2012 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref> He was released by Burton at the end of 2015–16.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36305529 |title=Burton Albion: Robbie Weir & Shane Cansdell-Sherriff among players released |website=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2016 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref>
===Leyton Orient=== On 6 June 2016, Weir signed for League Two club Leyton Orient on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2016/june/news-weir-becomes-os-first-summer-signing/ |title=News: Weir becomes O's first summer signing |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C. |date=6 June 2016 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref> He was ruled out for the rest of 2016–17 in January 2017, after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38525639 |title=Robbie Weir: Leyton Orient captain ruled out for rest of season |website=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2017 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref> At the end of the season, Weir exercised a clause in his contract to leave the Orient after relegation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/leyton-orient/leyton-orient-first-team-captain-robbie-weir-heading-for-exit-door-1-5067147 |title=Leyton Orient first-team captain Robbie Weir heading for exit door |first=George |last=Sessions |newspaper=Docklands & East London Advertiser |date=19 June 2017 |accessdate=4 August 2017}}</ref>
===Chesterfield=== Weir signed for League Two club Chesterfield on 3 August 2017 on an undisclosed-length contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/chesterfield-sign-robbie-weir-1-8684693 |title=Chesterfield sign Robbie Weir |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |date=3 August 2017 |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref> Weir signed a new contract with the club in May 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/20192/may/20190507-a-dozen-players-set-to-leave/ |title=A dozen players set to leave |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |date=7 May 2019 |accessdate=12 July 2019 |archive-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712213450/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/20192/may/20190507-a-dozen-players-set-to-leave/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Waterford=== On 31 July 2020 Weir returned to Ireland and signed for Waterford,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/25190/former-ireland-international-striker-daryl-murphy-signs-for-hometown-club-waterford-after-15-years-away/ |title=Former Ireland international striker Daryl Murphy signs for hometown club Waterford after 15 years away |publisher=Extratime.com |date=1 August 2020 |accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> now managed by his former Chesterfield boss John Sheridan.
===Crusaders=== On 21 November 2020, following the conclusion of the 2020 League of Ireland season, it was announced that Weir had signed a pre-contract with NIFL Premiership side Crusaders, to take effect from January 2021.
==International career== Weir was part of the Northern Ireland national under-18 team in March 2005 and was capped during a week-long visit to the Canary Islands in February 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4382103.stm |title=Glentoran v Larne |website=BBC Sport |date=25 March 2005 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://irishfa.com/news/item/1975/u18s-back-from-the-canaries/ |title=U18s back from the Canaries |first=Martin |last=Harris |publisher=Irish Football Association |date=14 February 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313025915/http://irishfa.com/news/item/1975/u18s-back-from-the-canaries/ |archivedate=13 March 2012}}</ref> He was named captain of the under-19 team in October 2006 and led the team out in a 4–2 defeat to Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/2467/european-quest-begins-for-next-generation |title=European quest begins for next generation |first=Spike |last=Hill |publisher=Irish Football Association |date=2 October 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306021804/http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/2467/european-quest-begins-for-next-generation |archivedate=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/international/fixtures-and-results/report/61/belguim-v-northern-ireland/ |title=Belgium v. Northern Ireland |publisher=Irish Football Association |date=6 October 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307000905/http://www.irishfa.com/international/fixtures-and-results/report/61/belguim-v-northern-ireland/ |archivedate=7 March 2016}}</ref> In July 2007, he was called up for the 2007 Milk Cup and started as the team were beaten 4–1 by Israel in August.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6918053.stm |title=Cathcart part of NI Elite squad |website=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/6930408.stm |title=Israel claim Elite Milk Cup title |website=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2007 |access-date=25 February 2011}}</ref> He was named in the under-21 team in February 2008 to play Israel as a replacement for Dermot McCaffrey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/3690/u21s-prepare-to-take-on-israel/ |title=U21's prepare to take on Israel |first=Marshall |last=Gillespie |publisher=Irish Football Association |date=5 February 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402192543/http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/3690/u21s-prepare-to-take-on-israel/ |archivedate=2 April 2012}}</ref> Weir was capped seven times by the under-21s from 2009 to 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2013/02/northern-ireland-under-21-line-ups.html |title=Northern Ireland under-21 line-ups |website=Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats |publisher=Jonny Dewart |date=23 February 2013 |accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref> He was capped once by the Northern Ireland B team in 2009.<ref name=NIFG/>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 7 May 2023}}
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Sunderland |2010–11<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|57821|2010|accessdate=1 July 2018}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |York City (loan) |2010–11<ref name=NLCD2012>{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-70-1 |pages=156–157}}</ref> |Conference Premier |5||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance in FA Trophy}}||0||8||0 |- |Tranmere Rovers (loan) |2010–11<ref name=sb1011/> |League One |18||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||18||0 |- |rowspan=2|Tranmere Rovers |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|57821|2011|accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> |League One |39||3||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||0||44||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !57||3||1||0||1||0||3||0||62||3 |- |rowspan=5|Burton Albion |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|57821|2012|accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> |League Two |42||5||4||0||3||1||2{{efn|Appearances in League Two play-offs}}||1||51||7 |- |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|57821|2013|accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> |League Two |41||2||3||0||2||0||4{{efn|One appearance in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs}}||0||50||2 |- |2014–15<ref name=sb1415>{{soccerbase season|57821|2014|accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref> |League Two |41||0||1||0||3||0||0||0||45||0 |- |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{soccerbase season|57821|2015|accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref> |League One |36||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||38||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !160||7||8||0||9||1||7||1||184||9 |- |Leyton Orient |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|57821|2016|accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> |League Two |17||0||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}||0||21||0 |- |rowspan=4|Chesterfield |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{soccerbase season|57821|2017|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> |League Two |41||2||0||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||44||2 |- |2018–19<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |32||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||33||0 |- |2019–20<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/robbie-weir/23325/ |title=R. Weir: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=11 April 2020}}</ref> |National League |19||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||20||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !92||2||0||0||0||0||5||0||97||2 |- |Waterford |2020<ref name=Soccerway/> |LOI Premier Division |14||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||15||0 |- |rowspan=4|Crusaders |2020–21<ref name=Soccerway/> |NIFL Premiership |17||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||18||0 |- |2021–22<ref name=Soccerway/> |NIFL Premiership |31||0||5||0||1||0||2||0||39||0 |- |2022–23<ref name=Soccerway/> |NIFL Premiership |27||0||4||0||1||0||5||0||37||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !75||0||10||0||2||0||7||0||94||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !420||12||23||0||13||1||25||1||481||14 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Burton Albion''' *Football League Two: 2014–15<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016 |year=2015 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-2416-3 |pages=94–95}}</ref> *Football League One runner-up: 2015–16<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 |year=2016 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3395-0 |pages=98–99}}</ref>
'''Crusaders''' *Irish Cup: 2021–22,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/may/crusaders-net-dramatic-winner-in-samuel-gelston-s-whiskey-irish-cup-final|title=Crusaders net dramatic winner in Samuel Gelston's Whiskey Irish Cup Final|publisher=Irish Football Association|accessdate=8 May 2022}}</ref> 2022–23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/crusaders-destroy-ballymena-united-in-irish-cup-final-romp/1897901145.html|title=Crusaders destroy Ballymena United in Irish Cup Final romp|publisher=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref> *NIFL Charity Shield: 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2022/august/charity-shield-success-for-the-crues/|title=Charity Shield Success For The Crues|publisher=Northern Ireland Football League|accessdate=6 August 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/robbie-weir/ Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204527/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/robbie-weir/ |date=31 March 2019 }} at the Chesterfield F.C. website *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weir, Robbie}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from Belfast Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's B international footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Larne F.C. players Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players Category:York City F.C. players Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players Category:Burton Albion F.C. players Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players Category:Chesterfield F.C. players Category:Waterford F.C. players Category:League of Ireland players Category:NIFL Premiership players Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:Crusaders F.C. players Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland