Rob Apter Explained

Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for club Blackpool. Born in England, he has represented Scotland at under-19 level.

Club career

Born in Liverpool, Apter played for Tranmere Rovers academy, leaving aged 15 after seven years.^[1] Apter secured a two-year scholarship at Blackpool in May 2019 and signed a two-year professional contract with the option of an additional year in November 2020.^[2] He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in a 3–0 EFL Trophy win Leeds United U21.^{[3] [4]} Apter made his league debut on 26 January 2021 as a late substitute in a 5–0 win away to Wigan Athletic and provided the assist for their final goal.^{[5] [6]} In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's The 11 award for under-18 players.^[7]

On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan.^[8] As of 2 December, he had scored ten goals in all competitions, including one goal from the halfway line in November in a 4–1 win away at Witton Albion.^[9] He returned to his parent club on 15 December.^[10]

Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year.^[11] In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish side Livingston on a week long trial with a view to signing on loan. However no transfer materialised following the trial.^[12]

On 12 January 2024, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.^[13]

On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan.^[14] On 1 February, it was extended until the end of the season.^[15]

On 28 August 2022, Apter joined National League club Scunthorpe United on a short-term loan until January 2023.^[16] He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town.^[17]

On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024.^{[18] [1]} He was nominated for League 2 Player of the Month for November.^[19]

On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season.^{[20] [21] [22]}

Apter scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 September 2024, in a 3–0 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.^[23]

International career

In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s.^[24]

He made his debut for the under-19s on 10 November 2021 against Armenia. He scored his first goal for them three days later in a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar.^[25]

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"

Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Blackpool	2020–21	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
	2021–22	Championship	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	2022–23	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	Total		2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
Bamber Bridge (loan)	2021–22[26]	NPL Premier Division	18	9	2	1	—		1	0	21	10
Chester (loan)	2021–22[27]	National League North	17	2	—		—		—		17	2
Scunthorpe United (loan)	2022–23	National League	19	4	—		—		—		19	4
Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2023–24	League Two	19	4
Career total			56	15	2	1	0	0	2	0	60	16

Honours

Individual

• EFL League Two Young Player of the Season

2023–24^[28]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tranmere bring back Apter on loan. www.bbc.co.uk.
2. News: Scrafton . Matt . 4 November 2020 . 'It's been a dream come true': Highly-rated youngster signs professional contract with Blackpool . en . Blackpool Gazette . 4 February 2021.
3. News: Scrafton . Matt . 11 November 2020 . Blackpool 3–0 Leeds United's U21s: Seasiders continue impressive recent form to qualify for knockout stages of EFL Trophy . en . Blackpool Gazette . 4 February 2021.
4. News: Scrafton . Matt . 20 November 2020 . Blackpool boss won't rush the club's youngsters into the first team . en . Blackpool Gazette . 4 February 2021.
5. Web site: 26 January 2021 . Wigan Athletic 0–5 Blackpool . 4 February 2021 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
6. News: Scrafton . Matt . 27 January 2021 . 'A near-perfect night for the depleted Seasiders': Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's five-star showing against Wigan Athletic . en . Blackpool Gazette . 4 February 2021.
7. Web site: 1 February 2021 . Rob Apter Named In The 11 By League Football Education . 4 February 2021 . www.blackpoolfc.co.uk . Blackpool F.C. . en-gb.
8. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/bange-and-apter-loaned-to-bamber-bridge "Bange And Apter Loaned To Bamber Bridge"
9. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/an-in-depth-look-at-how-blackpools-players-out-on-loan-are-getting-on-3407631 "An in-depth look at how Blackpool's players out on loan are getting on"
10. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/rob-apter-returns-to-blackpool-following-impressive-loan-spell-in-non-league-with-bamber-bridge-3496421 "Rob Apter returns to Blackpool following impressive loan spell in non-league with Bamber Bridge"
11. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/apter-signs-new-blackpool-contract "Apter Signs New Blackpool Contract"
12. https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackpool-livingston-apter-championship-critchley-22479325 "Blackpool's Rob Apter joins Livingston on trial with a view to a loan in the January window"
13. Web site: FC . Blackpool . 12 January 2024 . Rob Apter Signs New Contract . 12 January 2024 . Blackpool FC . en.
14. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/apter-loaned-to-chester "Apter Loaned To Chester"
15. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/post/chester-extend-apter-loan "Chester Extend Apter Loan"
16. Web site: Rob Apter joins on loan from Blackpool. www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 28 August 2022. 31 August 2022.
17. Web site: Scunthorpe United 0–2 FC Halifax Town. BBC Sport. 29 August 2022. 31 August 2022.
18. Web site: FC . Blackpool . 1 September 2023 . Apter Joins Tranmere Rovers On Loan . 2 September 2023 . Blackpool FC . en.
19. Web site: Nigel Adkins and Rob Apter nominated for Manager and Player of the Month. www.tranmererovers.co.uk. 5 December 2023. 12 January 2024.
20. Web site: Rob Apter rejoins Rovers on loan till the end of the season.. www.tranmererovers.co.uk. 12 January 2024. 12 January 2024.
21. Web site: Rob Apter Signs New Contract. www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. 12 January 2024. 12 January 2024.
22. Web site: Tranmere re-sign Apter on loan until end of season. www.bbc.co.uk.
23. Web site: Blackpool v Burton Albion: League One . 2024-09-28 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
24. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpools-ewan-bange-seals-fresh-loan-move-after-prolific-spell-with-bamber-bridge-3451051 "Blackpool's Ewan Bange seals fresh loan move after prolific spell with Bamber Bridge"
25. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=610730&lid=9 Robert Apter
26. News: Bamber Bridge – Appearances – Robert Apter. Football Web Pages . 2 May 2022.
27. Web site: R. Apter: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 2 May 2022.
28. News: Crysencio Summerville named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season . EFL . 14 April 2024 . 14 April 2024.