[2] His first senior club was Newcastle United, and whilst there he won the Second Division title in 1964–65 and the 1969 Fairs Cup, forming a productive partnership with Welshman Wyn Davies.
[4] He returned to Roker Park in June 1979 for £45,000, and was to eventually play for Sunderland in three separate stints,[2] his goals twice helping them to promotion, as Football League Second Division champions 1976 and runners-up in 1980.
[4] In 1982 Carlisle managed promotion back to the Second Division with a young Peter Beardsley alongside Robson in attack.
Recalled to lead the front line at the age of 38 years and 182 days, he scored his last goal for Sunderland in a 2–0 win that saved the team from relegation.
[6] In April 2013, Ellis Short, Sunderland's chairman and owner, sacked Robson along with his entire scouting network.