Rob Lainton

Robert Paul "Rob" Lainton (born 12 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bury.

Bolton Wanderers

Lainton began his career with Bolton Wanderers in 2004. In March 2011, Lainton signed his first professional contract with the club, which kept him until 2013. Although a regular in the first team squad and on the bench, he never made a senior appearance for the club. Lainton was also previously listed on loan on two occasions, but no clubs were interested. Following nine years at Bolton, Lainton was released by the club in summer 2013.

Bury

After leaving Bolton Wanderers, Lainton had a trial spell at Championship side Doncaster Rovers. On 8 July 2013, he signed a two-year contract at Bury after a successful trial, Shakers boss Kevin Blackwell's sixth summer signing. He made his debut for the team on 3 August 2013 in a 2–0 home defeat to Chesterfield. After making six straight appearance in all competitions to the start of the season, Lainton suffered a shoulder injury that resulted having a scan. After recovering from is injury, Lainton struggled to make a return to the first team, having his first choice goalkeeper being dislodged by newly signing goalkeeper, Brian Jensen.

Lainton remained as a second choice goalkeeper until on 8 February 2014, Lainton joined Burton Albion on a one-month loan, and kept a clean sheet on his debut in a 1–0 victory at Morecambe on the same day. On 11 March 2014, Lainton extended his loan stay with the Brewers until the end of the 2013–14 season. Lainton remained the first choice goalkeeper for Burton Albion, making fourteen appearance until he came off as a substitute at half-time after dislocating his thumb, which Burton Albion lost 1–0 to Northampton Town. Because of this, Lainton missed the last seven matches, including the play-offs, although he was on the substitute bench for some of the matches.

Upon his return to Bury, Lainton competed with Shwan Jalal over the first choice goalkeeper and made his first appearance in the first round of the Football League Cup, coming on as a substitute for Jalal after he was injured during the match, against his former club, Bolton. The game would go extra time after a 1–1 draw and Lainton conceded two more goals to his former club, which Bury lost 3–2. Despite the error, Lainton continued to be a first choice goalkeeper for the club until the arrival of Scott Loach and Nick Pope dispatched his first choice goalkeeper status that the club's management placed Lainton as a second choice goalkeeper and was considering sending him loaned out. However, it never happened and despite helping the club earn automatic promotion to League One, Lainton was offered a new contract, which he signed on 21 May 2015.

In April 2016, he was told that his Bury contract would not be renewed. He was however re-signed in December to try and halt the amount of goals being conceded.