Sarah Robson
Full nameSarah Cathryn Ann Robson
Birth nameSarah Cathryn Ann McFadden
Birth date23 May 1987 (age 39)
Birth placeBellaghy, Northern Ireland[1]
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
CurrentclubDurham
Clubnumber6
PositionCentre back
Centre forward
Youthyears 12005–2008
Youthclubs 1Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Clubs 1Moyola Park
Clubs 2Ballymena United Allstars
Years 32008
Clubs 3Fylkir
Caps 39
Goals 30
Years 42009–2011
Clubs 4Grindavík
Caps 435
Goals 44
Years 52010–2015
Clubs 5Sunderland
Caps 59
Goals 50
Years 62012
Clubs 6FH
Caps 69
Goals 64
Years 72017–
Clubs 7Durham
Caps 7130
Goals 713
Nationalyears 12005–
Nationalteam 1Northern Ireland
Nationalcaps 1102
Nationalgoals 19
Ntupdate30 January 2025 (UTC)

Sarah Cathryn Ann Robson (née McFadden; born 23 May 1987) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or striker for Women's Super League 2 club Durham and the Northern Ireland national team.

Career

Magherafelt-born[2] Robson played in Northern Ireland for Moyola Park and Ballymena United Allstars. In 2005, she won a scholarship to University of Southern Mississippi and played varsity soccer for Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Following graduation she headed to the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild, where she played for Fylkir, then Grindavík.[3]

At the end of the 2010 Icelandic season, Robson and international teammate Rachel Furness left Grindavík for Sunderland.[citation needed]

In June 2012 The Belfast Telegraph newspaper reported that three Northern Ireland players including Robson had been selected in the 18-player Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics.[4] But Robson quickly denied the report: "I haven't received anything about being in final squad... Wish it was true but unfortunately not."[5] When the final squad was named, no Northern Irish or Welsh players were included.[6]

On 13 January 2016, it was announced she was leaving Sunderland after five years serving the club and signing with Durham.[7]

International career

Robson made her international debut for the Northern Ireland national team in 2005.[8]

Robson was part of the squad that was called up to the UEFA Women's Euro 2022.[9]

She won her 100th cap in a 1-0 win over Albania in the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League on 26 September 2023; Robson was substituted at half-time, and passed the armband to Lauren Wade, who was making her 50th appearance for the national side.[8]

International goals

List of international goals scored by Sarah Robson
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.23 November 2006Tarsus Stadium, Tarsus, TurkeyCroatia3–05–1UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying
2.4–0
3.5–1
4.26 May 2007The Showgrounds, Coleraine, Northern IrelandCzech Republic1–01–3
5.2 September 2022Stade Émile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, LuxembourgLuxembourg1–02–12023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
6.15 November 2022Seaview, Belfast, Northern IrelandItaly1–01–0Friendly
7.18 July 2023Stadion v Městských sadech, Opava, Czech RepublicCzech Republic1–02–0

References

  1. ^ "Meet Sarah McFadden". Irish FA.
  2. ^ "Wylie names squad to face England". Irish Football Association. 2008-02-27. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  3. ^ "Sarah Cathryn Ann McFadden" (in Icelandic). KSI.is. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  4. ^ McKinley, Stuart (2012-06-06). "Northern Ireland women will make history at Olympics". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  5. ^ "Irish Trio Not Set for Olympics (yet)". She Kicks. 2012-06-14. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
  6. ^ "Northern Ireland keeper Higgins named as GB squad reserve". BBC Sport. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
  7. ^ "McFadden departs for Durham". Sunderland AFC Ladies. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Sarah McFadden: Incredible and emotional surprises as NI defender hits 100". BBC Sport. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Northern Ireland UEFA Women’s Euro squad announced". Irish FA. 27 June 2022.