Career
Born in Dundee, Petrie started his career in his native Scotland, before moving south to join in April 1894. After three seasons with Wednesday, Petrie moved to the south coast to join Southern League champions in May 1897, displacing John Hodgkinson. In his first season with the Saints, playing alongside Arthur Chadwick and Samuel Meston in the half-back line, he only missed two league games as claimed the Southern League title yet again.
Described in Holley & Chalk"s The Alphabet of the Saints as "very much a team player, Bob was never showy but always reliable and at his best when the chips were down.".
He did, however, have a drink problem and shortly after joining was reprimanded by the board over his drinking. In the 1889-1899 season, as a result of injury he lost his regular place to Scottish international John Robertson and only made nine appearances as, (now in their new home at The Dell), took the league title for the third consecutive season.
Two days after the final, Petrie made his final appearance for the Saints in a 4–1 league victory over Bristol City, after which he was replaced by fellow-Scot Don Greenlees. In his three seasons with, he made a total of 68 appearances, scoring six goals.
In 1900 he moved to New Brighton Tower for their final season before the club was disbanded.
He then returned to his native Scotland playing out his career for a variety of clubs, including three years with Arbroath and a spell with Brechin City just short of his 40th birthday.