Robert Holmes (23 June 1867 – 17 November 1955) was a professional footballer, who played for Preston North End.

When he played as a full–back against Burnley on 8 September 1888 he was 21 years 77 days old; which made him, on the first weekend of League football, Preston North End's youngest player.

He later became President of the Football Players' Union, retired at the end of the 1899–1900 season but was retained on the club's books as an amateur.

On hanging up his boots he took up refereeing but in December 1903 he resigned his position after securing a business in Preston town centre.

In April 1908 he was appointed trainer to the England amateur international team to play in Belgium and Germany over Easter of that year.