Robinson was born in
Derby and began playing football for local sides Derby St Neots and
Derby Midland before moving to
Lincoln City in 1888. After helping the Imps win the
Midland Football League in 1890 he returned to his hometown and signed for
Football League side
Derby County. Robinson spent six seasons at Derby, making over 180 appearances, and was a key player in their
1895–96 campaign which saw them finish as runner-up to
Aston Villa. Robinson was noted, during his playing career, for his reliability and was, according to author Francis Hodgson, among the first goalkeepers to dive full length to make saves. Touring eastern Europe with Southampton, Robinson played a notable role in introducing modern goalkeeping techniques to Austria and Hungary. In Prague, Southampton beat local
Slavia 3–0 and Robinson's novel goalkeeping style of diving saves gave rise to the Czech term, "robinsonáda".
Gyula Grosics, the
Hungarian international of the 1950s, observed that "it was
Moon of
the Corinthians, Robinson, and many other world-famous England goalkeepers who have been the pioneers of this art, and they showed the way for all Europe's goalkeepers."
Hugo Meisl, the noted coach of the
Austrian "Wunderteam" of the 1930s, went further, recalling: :"In that year (1899) the first English professionals came over, Southampton F.C. They beat the Viennese city eleven 6–0 and their goalkeeper, Robinson, showed for the first time how to tackle low shots by flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Until this day (1930) that type of save is called a 'Robinsonade' in Austria and Central Europe. After the match, Robinson gave an exhibition. His goal was bombarded simultaneously with six balls and he blocked most of the shots." Robinson left Southampton in 1903 and went on to play for fellow Southern League clubs
Plymouth Argyle,
Exeter City,
Millwall and
Stoke. ==Professional baseball==