Robert Atherton (29 July 1876 – 19 October 1917) [3] was a Welsh footballer who played as a half back and forward for Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
[6] After spells with Dalry Primrose juniors and Heart of Midlothian,[6][7] Atherton signed for Hibernian, at the start of the 1897–98 season.
[8][9] The Celtic defence duly complied, which allowed Andy McGeachen to score the only goal of the game.
Atherton retired from playing football after a short spell with Chelsea and he subsequently moved back to Edinburgh, becoming a steward in the Merchant Navy.
[6] Atherton was presumed dead in October 1917 after his ship, the SS Britannia (1889), disappeared without trace in the North Sea,[14] either due to a mine or enemy action, potentially from SM UC-75.