Former Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger John Robertson has died on the age of 72.
Robertson, who began and ended his profession on the Metropolis Floor, both facet of a spell at native rivals Derby, grew to become a cult hero at Forest after enjoying an integral half within the membership’s European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.
Robertson supplied the cross for Trevor Francis to go house the one purpose in opposition to Swedish outfit Malmo in Munich as Brian Clough’s facet lifted the European Cup for the primary time.
Twelve months later, Robertson was on the scoresheet in one other 1-0 victory as Forest efficiently defended their European crown in opposition to Hamburg on the Bernabeu in Madrid.
An announcement from Forest learn: “We’re heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and pricey good friend, John Robertson.
“A real nice of our membership and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled expertise, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest won’t ever ever be forgotten.
“Our ideas are with John’s household, buddies and all who cherished him.
“Relaxation in Peace, Robbo… Our best.”
He received 28 caps for Scotland throughout his five-year worldwide profession, which included being chosen on the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
An announcement from the official Scotland soccer staff account learn: “Our ideas are with the household and buddies of John Robertson, following his passing at present.”
Lanarkshire-born Robertson signed for Forest aged 15, quickly making his debut when solely 17, and would develop into a key participant as Clough’s facet received the First Division league title in 1978 earlier than back-to-back European Cup triumphs.
Robertson additionally received the League Cup twice with Forest, earlier than becoming a member of Derby in 1983.
After two years at Derby, Robertson returned to the Metropolis Floor in 1985, enjoying 12 occasions in his last season earlier than being launched.
Following his retirement, Robertson later moved into teaching as an assistant to former Forest team-mate Martin O’Neill at Celtic and Aston Villa.
Robertson’s household launched an announcement, which learn: “It’s with immense ache and disappointment that we announce the passing of our fantastic husband, dad and grandad.
“John handed away peacefully on Christmas morning along with his spouse and household by his facet, after a protracted sickness. Our solely consolation in our grief is that his struggles at the moment are over, and he’s reunited along with his daughter Jessica.
“‘Robbo’ was treasured by many as a footballing hero, however to us he was simply John and pa, the household man…type, loving, witty, enjoyable and constant.
“Though our hearts are breaking, we are going to all the time be pleased about the years we have been privileged to share with him and the superb recollections we made. We are going to miss him day-after-day and love him all the time.
“John leaves spouse Sharyl, daughter Liz and sons Andrew and Mark, in addition to granddaughters Jess and Phoebe.”
Robertson: The ‘tramp’ who helped Forest to 2 European Cups
John Neilson Robertson was born on January 20, 1953 and introduced up in Uddingston, a Lanarkshire city simply outdoors Glasgow, residing in the identical Viewpark space as one other nice Scottish winger, Jimmy Johnstone.
The youngest of three kids, his father, Hughie, was a former miner who labored with the electrical energy board, and his mom labored on the native Tunnock’s biscuit manufacturing facility.
Robertson represented Scotland Schoolboys and signed for Forest aged 15 earlier than making his debut when 17.
Forest have been relegated from the highest flight in 1972 and, though Robertson loved a spell underneath Dave Mackay, he fell out of favour with Clough’s predecessor, Allan Brown, who tried unsuccessfully to swap him for Partick Thistle’s Ronnie Glavin.
Regardless of this, Robertson was bizarrely and mistakenly known as up by new England boss Don Revie as he named 90 gamers for a get-together in 1974.
Clough jokingly branded Robertson “tramp” due to his look, however the winger longed for any gesture of approval he bought from his boss, saying in his 2012 autobiography, Tremendous Tramp: “After I was the recipient I may have achieved cartwheels. The day I ended enjoying for the gaffer, it appeared there was an enormous void in my life.”
Robertson received the title, two League Cups and two European Cups – establishing Trevor Francis to attain the one purpose in opposition to Malmo within the 1979 last after overcoming the dying of his brother Hughie in a highway accident days earlier than the semi-final, an incident which precipitated his heavy smoking. He scored himself in opposition to Hamburg within the 1980 showpiece.
Robertson twice received the European Cup at Forest
His type with Forest bought him into Scotland’s 1978 World Cup squad earlier than he had even made his worldwide debut.
Robertson netted eight occasions in 28 appearances, scoring in opposition to New Zealand within the 1982 World Cup and netting a Wembley winner in 1981 – after which he bought a elevate into London on the England staff bus having organized an evening out at Stringfellows with Forest and England striker Tony Woodcock.
The day he stopped enjoying for Clough initially got here in 1983 when, with Forest contract talks gradual to get going, he shocked his mentor by signing for Taylor at Derby. The deal spelled the top of Taylor and Clough’s already frosty relationship and Robertson was initially instructed he was not welcome on the Metropolis Floor.
The transfer proved a catastrophe.
Robertson’s thoughts was not totally on the job after his first baby, Jessica, was born severely disabled in pre-season. With Forest again in Europe, Derby have been struggling and relegated from the Second Division on the finish of the season.
Clough forgave Robertson and re-signed him in 1985, with the Scot enjoying 12 occasions in his last season earlier than being launched.
Robertson received the 1977/78 First Division title at Forest
At 33, he was stunned to seek out no presents from league golf equipment and he had an sad spell working a pub.
Life after soccer proved troublesome initially with Robertson and first spouse Sally concerned in a prolonged authorized battle with the NHS over the remedy of their daughter at start.
Jessica, who had cerebral palsy, couldn’t talk and he or she died aged 13, however Robertson admitted she had made him extra caring and thoughtful.
Robertson cut up along with his spouse and frolicked sleeping on buddies’ couches, however his friendship with former Forest team-mate Martin O’Neill helped him enormously.
Robertson performed for O’Neill at non-league Grantham, bought a job underneath him promoting insurance coverage, then, after a spell as Grantham supervisor himself, was a scout for him at Wycombe, Norwich and Leicester.
By the point the pair left for Celtic in 2000, Robertson was O’Neill’s right-hand man and he purchased a home again in Uddingston.
“He was a particular (teaching) accomplice, no query about that,” O’Neill recalled in 2024 when Robertson was featured in BBC Scotland’s Icons of Soccer sequence.
“Individuals, for need of a greater phrase, purchased into John, they actually did. There was one thing about him.”
Robertson’s last job in soccer was as Aston Villa assistant supervisor from 2006 to 2010.
In August 2013, Robertson was taken to hospital having suffered a suspected coronary heart assault whereas enjoying tennis with former Forest team-mate Liam O’Kane and had a stent inserted.
Robertson is survived by daughter Elisabeth and second spouse Sharyl, and their kids, Andrew and Mark.
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