Sarah Robson

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Sarah Robson
Robson (6) playing for Durham in March 2019
Personal information
Full name Sarah Cathryn Ann Robson
Birth name Sarah Cathryn Ann McFadden
Date of birth (1987-05-23) 23 May 1987
Place of birth Bellaghy, Northern Ireland[1]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Middlesbrough
Youth career
2005–2008 Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Moyola Park
Ballymena United Allstars
2008 Fylkir 9 (0)
2009–2011 Grindavík 35 (4)
2010–2015 Sunderland 9 (0)
2012 FH 9 (4)
2017–2026 Durham 130 (13)
2026– Middlesbrough 0 (0)
International career‡
2005– Northern Ireland 102 (9)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals as of 30 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 National League North club Middlesbrough 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.

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]

On 15 June 2026, it was announced that Robson had joined National League North club Middlesbrough in a player-coach role.[8]

International career

Robson made her international debut for the Northern Ireland national team in 2005.[9]

Robson was part of the squad that was called up to the UEFA Women's Euro 2022.[10]

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.[9]

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
List of international goals scored by Sarah Robson
1.23 November 2006Tarsus Stadium, Tarsus, Turkey Croatia3–05–1UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying
2.4–0
3.5–1
4.26 May 2007The Showgrounds, Coleraine, Northern Ireland Czech Republic1–01–3
5.2 September 2022Stade Émile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Luxembourg1–02–12023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
6.15 November 2022Seaview, Belfast, Northern Ireland Italy1–01–0Friendly
7.18 July 2023Stadion v Městských sadech, Opava, Czech Republic Czech Republic1–02–0

References

  1. "Meet Sarah McFadden". Irish FA.
  2. "Wylie names squad to face England". Irish Football Association. 27 February 2008. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  3. "Sarah Cathryn Ann McFadden" (in Icelandic). KSI.is. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  4. McKinley, Stuart (6 June 2012). "Northern Ireland women will make history at Olympics". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  5. "Irish Trio Not Set for Olympics (yet)". She Kicks. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  6. "Northern Ireland keeper Higgins named as GB squad reserve". BBC Sport. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  7. "McFadden departs for Durham". Sunderland AFC Ladies. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  8. "Sarah Robson Signs For Boro Women". Middlesbrough F.C. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  9. "Sarah McFadden: Incredible and emotional surprises as NI defender hits 100". BBC Sport. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  10. "Northern Ireland UEFA Women's Euro squad announced". Irish FA. 27 June 2022.