Robert Molenaar

Robert Molenaar
Personal information
Full nameRobert Molenaar
Date of birth27 February 1969
Place of birthZaandam, Netherlands
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionDefender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1992–1997FC Volendam125(2)
1997–2000Leeds United51(5)
2000–2003Bradford City71(2)
2003–2007RBC Roosendaal68(6)
Total315(15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert Molenaar (born 27 February 1969 in Zaandam, Noord-Holland) is a former professional footballer from the Netherlands. He played as a defender for FC Volendam, Leeds United, Bradford City and RBC Roosendaal.

He was signed for Leeds United by the then manager George Graham from FC Volendam for £1m in January 1997 to try to shore up the defence. He became a regular in the side until the end of the 1996–97 season. In the 1997–98 season however his performances were not up to scratch and he fell down the pecking order playing around half the matches. In 1998–99 he was once again a first choice centre-back, above David Wetherall but a challenge by Nicolas Anelka, then playing for Arsenal, kept him out via ligament damage until 2000. He failed to make another appearance for Leeds United and was sold to Bradford City in the summer of 2000 to help their dog fight against relegation. He stayed there until 2003, scoring twice against Newcastle United[1] and Nottingham Forest,[2] when his contract was not renewed and he moved to RBC Roosendaal before eventually retiring in the summer of 2007.

While at Leeds he picked up the nickname "The Terminator" from the fans due to his bulky physique and height.

References

  1. ↑ "Magpies class outwits Bradford". BBC. 16 December 2000. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Bradford 1-0 Nottm F". BBC. 14 December 2002. Retrieved 10 March 2010.