Robert Telfer (24 September 1904 - 2 January 1981) was an Australian professional football player, referee, manager, administrator, soccer writer and editor.

He was the second of three children, having two sisters Mary and Jean, fathered by John Currie Telfer, a bricklayer employed by the United Colleries Co., Quarter, Lanarkshire.

Arriving in Australia in November 1927, during the depression, Telfer was unable to secure regular employment until February 1928 from the Municipal Tramways Trust as an electrical fitter.

Telfer played for Kingswood and as a result, was suspended for life by the controlling body (as were all other players participating in the break-away league).

In Telfer's inaugural season (1928) with Kingswood, he was named captain where he went on to play 17 games (9 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses), scoring six goals.