Robert Blood (18 March 1894 – 12 August 1988) was an English footballer who played as a centre-forward and was noted for his powerful strikes.

He served in the Army for three years during World War I before he started his professional career after signing for Port Vale in November 1919.

He returned to Buxton after the Allies declared victory on 11 November 1918, and determined to become a professional footballer, he managed to strengthen his leg by spending many hours kicking a ball against a steep slope next to Harpur Hill cemetery.

[1] In the 1919–20 season, he finished as top-scorer with 26 goals in 32 games – a remarkable feat for a 25-year-old newcomer to the Football League still carrying the scars of war.

[1] He scored against Stoke in the Potteries derby, and hit braces against Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Clapton Orient, and Bury; also putting four past Stockport County on 11 December.

He demonstrated the fearsome power of his shot by striking a penalty which was saved by the Bristol City goalkeeper at the cost of a broken wrist.

[12] West Bromwich Albion secretary-manager Fred Everiss signed him in February 1921 for £4,750, then a club record fee.

[14] Blood finished as the club's top-scorer in 1923–24 with nine goals, ending the season with a hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Sheffield United.