[4][5] Bethell Robinson made his Football League debut on 8 September 1888, as a full-back, at Pike's Lane, the then home of Bolton Wanderers.
When Robinson played at full–back on 20 October 1888 against Aston Villa he was approximately 27 years 158 days old; which made him, on the seventh weekend of League football, Bolton Wanderers' oldest player.
Robinson, as a full-back, played in Bolton Wanderers defence that achieved one League clean-sheet and kept the opposition to one-League-goal-in-a-match on four separate occasions.
Even though a Bolton Wanderers player Bethel Robinson appeared for West Bromwich Albion in the 1888–89 FA Cup.
Robinson played full-back including in the semi-final at Bramall Lane, against "The Invincibles" Preston North End.