| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Middleby | ||
| Date of birth | 9 August 1975 | ||
| Place of birth | Newcastle, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Playing position | Right Back, Right Midfielder (Retired) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1992–1993 | AIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1993–1994 | Newcastle Breakers | ||
| 1994 | Adamstown Rosebud | 9 | (1) |
| 1994–1996 | Wollongong Wolves | 35 | (1) |
| 1997–1999 | KFC Uerdingen | 27 | (0) |
| 1999–2000 | Auckland Kingz | 21 | (1) |
| 2000 | Cringila Lions | ||
| 2000–2001 | Carlton SC | 8 | (0) |
| 2000–2001 | Wollongong Wolves | 19 | (1) |
| 2001–2004 | Newcastle United | 62 | (6) |
| 2005–2009 | Sydney FC | 67 | (3) |
| 2009–2010 | North Queensland Fury | 21 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1995 | Australia U-20 | ||
| 2002 | Australia | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 November 2008. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Robert Middleby (born 9 August 1975 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia) is a former Australian football (soccer) player who is the CEO for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.
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The former NSL journeyman came to Sydney FC after earlier stints at Newcastle United Jets, Wollongong Wolves (twice), Carlton, Football Kingz and the Newcastle Breakers. He won an NSL title with the Wolves and also spent time overseas with German outfit KFC Uerdingen 05
Middleby saw little game time under coach Pierre Littbarski in his first season at the club, playing only 212 minutes in 16 appearances despite scoring in Sydney FC's 3-1 victory against New Zealand Knights early in the campaign. He gained favour, though, under Littbarski's replacement Terry Butcher and was a regular starter in the 06/07 season. Despite missing part of the season with a broken collarbone after a controversial off-the-ball incident involving Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer,[1][2] Middleby was voted Sydney FC Players' Player of the Year for the season.[3]
Middleby is famous for accidentally breaking David Beckham's rib, when Sydney FC played the Los Angeles Galaxy at ANZ Stadium in November 2007. Sydney ended up winning 5-3. Middleby also scored in the match.
In November 2008, Middleby signed a contract with North Queensland Fury. He has been used in his more preferred role of right back, as well as being used in central midfield under coach Ian Ferguson. On 11 February 2010 announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2009/2010 season[4] Middleby played his last game against Gold Coast United, which North Queensland won 2-1.
| Australia national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2002 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 0 |
With Sydney FC:
With Wollongong Wolves:
Personal Honours:
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