Robbie Painter - Playing Career

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.

Painter moved in October 1996 to Rochdale, where his former Chester team-mate, Graham Barrow, was manager. He spent three years at Spotland and then moved across the Pennines to Halifax Town, where he played his final Football League match against Darlington on 28 April 2001.

He has since played for non-league sides Gateshead, Bradford Park Avenue, Ossett Town, Emley and Guiseley.