Born in Dundee, Petrie started his career in his native Scotland, before moving south to join Sheffield Wednesday in April 1894.

In round 1 of the 1896 FA Cup, Petrie was part of the Wednesday team that narrowly defeated his future employers, Southampton, before going on to win the final in April.

After three seasons with Wednesday, Petrie moved to the south coast to join Southern League champions Southampton in May 1897, displacing John Hodgkinson.

Described in Holley & Chalk's The Alphabet of the Saints as "very much a team player, Bob was never showy but always reliable and at his best when the chips were down.".

He then returned to his native Scotland playing out his career for a variety of clubs, including three years with Arbroath and a spell with Brechin City just short of his 40th birthday.