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Robert Earnshaw
RobertEarnshaw02 (cropped).jpg
Earnshaw in 2007
Personal information
Full name Robert Earnshaw
Date of birth (1981-04-06) 6 April 1981 (age 44)
Place of birth Mufulira, Zambia
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1997–1998 Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2004 Cardiff City 183 (86)
2000 Greenock Morton (loan) 3 (2)
2004–2006 West Bromwich Albion 43 (12)
2006–2007 Norwich City 45 (27)
2007–2008 Derby County 22 (1)
2008–2011 Nottingham Forest 102 (38)
2011–2013 Cardiff City 19 (3)
2012–2013 Maccabi Tel Aviv (loan) 10 (2)
2013 Toronto FC 26 (8)
2014 Blackpool 1 (0)
2014 Chicago Fire 5 (3)
2015 Vancouver Whitecaps 9 (2)
2015 → Whitecaps 2 (loan) 3 (2)
Total 471 (186)
International career
1998–2001 Wales U21 10 (1)
2002–2012 Wales 59 (16)
Managerial career
2018–2019 Fresno (assistant)
2021–2022 Orange County (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Earnshaw (born 6 April 1981) is a Welsh former professional footballer. He played as a forward. Earnshaw is famous for being the only player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, all three divisions of the English Football League, the League Cup, the FA Cup, and for his country in an international match.

He was born in Zambia and grew up in South Wales. Earnshaw joined Cardiff City in 1997 as a youth player. He became a professional footballer a year later. After playing his first game at age sixteen, he spent a short time on loan with Greenock Morton. Then, he became a regular player for Cardiff City.

His amazing goal-scoring helped Cardiff City get promoted to the First Division in 2003. He scored over 30 goals in that division. In August 2004, he moved to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for £3.5 million.

Earnshaw played for several English clubs. Later in his career, he also played in Israel, Canada, and the United States. He made his international debut for Wales in 2002. He scored 16 goals in 59 games for Wales, making him one of their top goal-scorers ever.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Robert Earnshaw was one of five children. He was born in Mufulira, Zambia, on 6 April 1981. His mother was a professional footballer in Zambia. His father managed a gold mine. Robert's uncle and two cousins were also professional footballers for Zambia.

When Robert was five, his family moved to Malawi. His father managed a coal mine there. Robert went to school in Lilongwe, which was a long journey from his home. He learned the Chewa language, and already spoke Bemba and English.

In 1990, Robert's father passed away. His mother decided to move the family to Bedwas, a small town in Wales, in 1991. Robert found Wales much colder and different, but he quickly adapted. He became friends with David Pipe who lived nearby.

He started playing football in Wales. He kicked a ball around with friends at school. His first organized football match was at age 11 with a local youth team called Llanbradach. After a year, he joined GE Wales. There, he became known for scoring many goals, once netting 80 goals in a single season.

Club Football Journey

Cardiff City Days

Earnshaw's youth team, GE Wales, played near Cardiff City's youth base. In 1997, a Cardiff youth coach saw Earnshaw score three goals in a match. He invited Robert to train with Cardiff. On 1 August, Earnshaw signed a youth contract with Cardiff City. He had also been noticed by scouts from Manchester United.

He scored over 47 goals for Cardiff's youth team in one season. He made his first team debut on 27 October 1997, at just sixteen years old. His first league game was on 28 March 1998.

In August 1998, Earnshaw signed his first full professional contract. He scored his first professional goal in his first start for the club. He struggled to get into the team for a while. In January 2000, he was loaned to Scottish team Greenock Morton to gain experience. He scored twice in three games there.

The 2000–01 season was a big year for Earnshaw. He scored 25 goals, including hat-tricks in league and FA Cup matches. He won Cardiff's Young Player of the Year award. In the 2002–03 season, he scored another three hat-tricks. Cardiff won promotion to the First Division that season. He finished with 35 goals, breaking a club record.

Earnshaw continued his great form in the First Division. He scored over 30 goals, including four goals in one game. Many big clubs became interested in him.

Moving to West Bromwich Albion

At the start of the 2004–05 season, Earnshaw moved from Cardiff to West Bromwich Albion. The transfer fee was £3 million. He made his debut for Albion on 11 September 2004. He scored his first two goals for the club in November 2004.

On 19 March 2005, he scored his first and only Premier League hat-trick against Charlton Athletic. This made him the first West Bromwich Albion player to score a Premier League hat-trick. This hat-trick also meant Earnshaw was the only player to score hat-tricks in all four professional English divisions, the FA Cup, League Cup, and an international match. He finished as Albion's top scorer that season with 14 goals.

In December 2005, Earnshaw asked to leave the club. He felt he was not getting enough chances to play.

Time at Norwich City

On 31 January 2006, Earnshaw signed with Norwich City for £2.75 million. He made his debut on 5 February 2006. He scored his first goals for Norwich with two goals in a 3–0 win against Brighton. He scored six more goals that season.

The next season, he started very well. By January 2007, he was the top goal-scorer in the division with 17 goals. He suffered a groin injury but returned in April 2007 to score two more goals.

Derby County and Nottingham Forest

In June 2007, Derby County signed Earnshaw for £3.5 million. He struggled to make an impact at Derby. He scored his first goal for the club in January 2008. His first Premier League goal for Derby came in April 2008. He later said this was one of his worst seasons in football.

In May 2008, Earnshaw joined Nottingham Forest for £2.65 million. He signed a three-year deal. He scored his first goals for Forest in a League Cup match in August 2008. He scored his first league goal for Forest later that month. On 5 December 2009, he scored a hat-trick against local rivals Leicester City. He scored 43 goals in 111 games for Forest.

Back to Cardiff City

On 6 July 2011, Earnshaw rejoined his boyhood club, Cardiff City, on a free transfer. He made his second debut for Cardiff on 7 August. He scored his first goal back at Cardiff the following Sunday. On 20 August, he scored his 200th career goal in a 1–1 draw with Burnley.

He later found himself playing less often for Cardiff. He made substitute appearances until the end of the season.

Loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv

On 20 September 2012, Earnshaw moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel on a season-long loan. He believed this move would help him improve as a player. He made his debut on 24 September 2012. He scored his first goal two weeks later. He was in Tel Aviv during a time of conflict and had to take cover, which was a new experience for him.

When he returned to Cardiff, the manager decided he was no longer needed.

Later Career in North America

On 28 February 2013, Earnshaw joined Canadian Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. He made his debut two days later. On 9 March, he scored two goals for the club, helping his new manager get his first win. He was named MLS Player of the Week for his performance.

On 21 March 2014, Earnshaw joined Blackpool in England for a short time. He made one appearance before leaving.

On 15 August 2014, Earnshaw returned to MLS, joining Chicago Fire. He scored his first goal for the Fire eight days later. A week after that, he scored again.

In February 2015, Earnshaw joined Vancouver Whitecaps. He made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal in his debut in the 90th minute with his first touch of the ball. He scored his second goal in a similar way, coming on as a substitute and scoring with his second touch.

Retirement from Playing

Earnshaw announced his retirement from playing football on 28 January 2016. He was then named head coach of the Vancouver U-14 Pre-Residency team.

International Career for Wales

Ramsey Bale Earnshaw Bellamy
Earnshaw (No.18) warming up for Wales, 2011

Even though he was born in Zambia, Earnshaw chose to play for Wales. He said Wales was his country where he grew up. He played ten games for the under-21 team, scoring once.

His great goal-scoring for Cardiff City caught the eye of the Wales national coach, Mark Hughes. Earnshaw made his debut for Wales in May 2002. He scored the winning goal against Germany at the Millennium Stadium and was named man of the match.

Earnshaw became an important player for Wales during the Euro 2004 qualifying games. He scored three goals in a friendly match against Scotland in February 2004.

He played for Wales 59 times over ten years. On 25 May 2011, he was the captain for Wales against Scotland in the Nations Cup. He last played for Wales in August 2012.

Coaching Career

After working as a youth coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Earnshaw became an assistant coach for United Soccer League team Fresno on 30 January 2018.

On 20 December 2021, Robert Earnshaw joined USL Championship team Orange County as an assistant coach.

Since May 2020, he has been studying in Wales to earn his UEFA Pro License. This license will allow him to coach at a high level in Europe.

Personal Life

Earnshaw grew up in Lansbury Park in Caerphilly, Wales, after moving there from Zambia as a teenager.

Earnshaw's son, Silva Mexes, signed for the Manchester United under-14 football team at the end of the 2023–24 season. He also plays for the Thailand national U-17 team through his mother, who is half-Thai.

In June 2024, Earnshaw married Bollywood actress Zarah Shah at Luttrellstown Castle.

Career Statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cardiff City 1997–98 Third Division 5 0 5 0
1998–99 Third Division 5 1 1 0 6 1
1999–2000 Second Division 6 1 6 1
2000–01 Third Division 36 19 4 6 1 0 41 25
2001–02 Second Division 32 12 3 2 1 1 36 15
2002–03 Second Division 46 31 4 1 2 3 55 35
2003–04 First Division 46 21 1 0 2 5 49 26
2004–05 Championship 4 1 1 1 5 2
Total 183 86 13 9 7 10 203 105
Greenock Morton (loan) 1999–2000 Scottish First Division 3 2 1 0 4 2
West Bromwich Albion 2004–05 Premier League 31 11 3 3 34 14
2005–06 Premier League 12 1 1 0 3 2 16 3
Total 43 12 4 3 3 2 50 17
Norwich City 2005–06 Championship 15 8 15 8
2006–07 Championship 30 19 1 0 1 0 32 19
Total 45 27 1 0 1 0 47 27
Derby County 2007–08 Premier League 22 1 2 1 1 0 25 2
Nottingham Forest 2008–09 Championship 32 12 2 2 2 3 36 17
2009–10 Championship 34 17 1 0 2 0 37 17
2010–11 Championship 36 9 2 0 0 0 38 9
Total 102 38 5 2 4 3 111 43
Cardiff City 2011–12 Championship 19 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 22 4
Maccabi Tel Aviv (loan) 2012–13 Israeli Premier League 10 2 0 0 1 1 11 3
Toronto 2013 MLS 26 8 0 0 0 0 26 8
Blackpool 2013–14 Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Chicago Fire 2014 MLS 5 3 0 0 0 0 5 3
Vancouver Whitecaps 2015 MLS 9 2 0 0 1 0 4 0 14 2
Career total 468 184 27 16 19 16 5 0 519 216

International

Scores and results list Wales' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Earnshaw goal.
List of international goals scored by Robert Earnshaw
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 14 May 2002 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Germany 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2 12 February 2003 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 2–2 Friendly
3 11 October 2003 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Serbia and Montenegro 2–3 2–3 UEFA Euro 2004 qualification
4 18 February 2004 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Scotland 1–0 4–0 Friendly
5 2–0
6 3–0
7 31 March 2004 Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 2–1 2–1 Friendly
8 8 September 2004 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Northern Ireland 2–2 2–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 13 October 2004 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Poland 1–0 2–3 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
10 27 May 2006 UPC-Arena, Graz, Austria  Trinidad and Tobago 1–1 2–1 Friendly
11 2–1
12 11 October 2006 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Cyprus 2–0 3–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
13 17 October 2007 San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino  San Marino 1–0 2–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
14 29 May 2009 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales  Estonia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
15 25 May 2011 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Scotland 1–0 1–3 2011 Nations Cup
16 27 May 2011 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Northern Ireland 2–0 2–0 2011 Nations Cup

Hat-trick Record

Robert Earnshaw holds a unique record. He is the only player to have scored hat-tricks in the Premier League, Divisions 1, 2 and 3, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and in an international match.

  • Premiership, West Bromwich Albion vs. Charlton, 19 March 2005
  • Championship (Division 1), Cardiff vs. Gillingham (13 September 2003) and Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester City (5 December 2009)
  • League One (Division 2), Cardiff vs. QPR (29 November 2002) and vs. Tranmere Rovers (14 March 2003)
  • League Two (Division 3), Cardiff vs. Torquay United (2 December 2000)
  • FA Cup, Cardiff vs. Bristol Rovers (19 November 2000)
  • League Cup, Cardiff vs. Boston United (11 September 2002) and vs. Leyton Orient (12 August 2003)
  • International, Wales vs. Scotland (18 February 2004)

Honours

Cardiff City

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Individual

  • Cardiff City Young Player of the Year: 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01
  • PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2002–03 Second Division
  • PFA Team of the Year: 2000–01 Third Division, 2002–03 Second Division, 2003–04 First Division
  • Cardiff City Player of the Year: 2002–03
  • Football League Second Division Top Scorer: 2002–03
  • Welsh Footballer of the Year: 2004

Images for kids

See also

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