Rob, from Lydney in Gloucestershire, played for Exeter City's youth team from 1982 in the South West and Youth League as well as representing the club in the FA Youth Cup (including the tie at AFC Bournemouth on 4 October 1982).

Having played alongside the likes of Frank Howarth, Graeme Kirkup, Martin Ling and Nicky Marker during his time with City, Rob continued to play in the Hellenic League and other leagues in Gloucestershire whilst training as a paramedic in his early twenties. Eventually working for the South West Ambulance Service for twenty-three years, Rob was living in New Zealand when he visited the Exeter City museum in 2024.