Robbie Middleby

Football player infobox
playername = Robbie Middleby
fullname = Robert Middleby


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1975|8|9
cityofbirth = Newcastle
countryofbirth = Australia
height = height|m=1.73
currentclub = Sydney FC
clubnumber = 7
contractend = 2009
position = Right Midfielder, Right Back, Wing Back
youthyears = 1992–1993
youthclubs = AIS
years = 1993–1994
1994
1994–1996
1997–1999
1999–2000
2000
2000–2001
2000–2001
2001–2004
2005–"present"
clubs = Newcastle Breakers
Adamstown Rosebud
Wollongong Wolves
KFC Uerdingen
Auckland Kingz
Cringila Lions
Carlton SC
Wollongong Wolves
Newcastle United
Sydney FC
caps(goals) =
09 (1)
35 (1)
27 (0)
21 (1)
08 (0)
19 (1)
62 (6)
44 (3)
nationalyears = 1995
2002
nationalteam = Australia U-20
Australia
nationalcaps(goals) =
05 (0)
pcupdate = 15 December 2007
ntcupdate = 15 December 2007

Robert Middleby (born August 9, 1975 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian football (soccer) player who currently plays as a midfielder for Sydney FC in the A-League.

Club career

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 Eintracht Trier.

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, [cite news|url=http://origin.abc.net.au/news/items/200609/1731569.htm?victoria|title=Record crowd sees Victory down 10-man Sydney|date=September 2, 2006|publisher=ABC Victoria] [cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20341750-5000940,00.html|title=Butcher wants justice|date=September 2, 2006|publisher=Fox Sports] Middleby was voted Sydney FC Players' Player of the Year for the season. [cite news|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=7274&pageid=11 |title=Middleby takes top honour|publisher=a-league.com.au]

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 this match. In February 2008 Middleby re-signed with Sydney for another 2 years, extending his contract to the 2009-2010 season.

Honours

With Sydney FC:
* A-League Championship: 2005-2006
* Oceania Club Championship: 2004-2005With Wollongong Wolves:
* NSL Championship: 2000-2001
* Oceania Club Championship: 2000-2001Personal Honours:
* Sydney FC Player of the Year: 2006-2007

References

External links

* [http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_playerprofile_item&pid=237 Sydney FC profile]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/M/MI.html Oz Football profile]