Legendary Nottingham Forest and Scotland participant John Robertson has died aged 72 on Christmas Day.
Robertson was a part of the enduring Forest facet which gained the First Division and two European Cups amongst different trophies below Brian Clough within the Seventies and ’80s.
He arrange Trevor Francis to attain the winner towards Malmo within the 1979 European Cup closing earlier than turning into the goalscoring hero himself a yr later towards Hamburg.
The winger additionally picked up 28 caps for Scotland and spent a few years at Derby County in a profession which spanned 627 video games.
Forest mentioned in an announcement: ‘We’re heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and expensive 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.
Nottingham Forest icon John Robertson – a two-time European Cup winner – has died aged 72
‘Our ideas are with John’s household, associates and all who liked him. Relaxation in peace, Robbo… our biggest.’
Robertson made his debut for the Midlands outfit in October 1970 and made 502 appearances in a 13-year stint on the membership. He then dropped down into the Second and Third Division with Derby County for a few years earlier than returning to finish his profession at Forest within the prime flight in 1985-86.
With Scotland, he’s remembered for scoring the successful penalty as they beat England 1-0 at Wembley in 1981 to win the British Residence Championship.
He additionally scored towards New Zealand within the 1982 World Cup.
Clough as soon as described him as a ‘Picasso of our recreation,’ including: ‘Give him a yard of grass and he was an artist.’
After retiring, he was Martin O’Neill’s assistant supervisor at Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa.
In 2015, a ballot by the Nottingham Submit revealed him to be the followers’ all-time favorite participant.
The Scottish nationwide group posted: ‘Our ideas are with the household and associates of John Robertson, following his passing at this time.’
Robertson, pictured at Forest in 1971, additionally turned out for Scotland and Derby County
Celtic added: ‘Celtic Soccer Membership is gloomy to study of the passing of our former assistant supervisor, John Robertson. Our ideas and prayers are with John’s household at this time at such a troublesome time for all of them.’
Journalist Henry Winter wrote: ‘John Robertson made the ball dance. He stuffed Forest followers with pleasure and stuffed opposing full-backs with concern and he did it his method. He entertained and delivered. Two-time European champion. Nice participant, nice character. Ideas with John’s household, associates and team-mates. RIP.’
One fan known as on the membership to honour Robertson by renaming the Bridgford Stand after him.
Former Forest star Stan Collymore wrote a prolonged and emotional tribute which learn: ‘An extremely heavy coronary heart having been informed of the passing of John Robertson, Forest’s biggest ever participant, my coach at Leicester and one of many loveliest, kindest hearted people I’ve met.
‘As a child he was a hero on Star Soccer together with his beguiling wing play, trademark shoulder drop, go previous the fullback and cross. After I lastly bought to Forest I wore white tape below my shinpads in homage to him.
‘At Leicester with Martin O’Neill he knew of my points and issues and as an alternative like many, who mocked them, he put a literal arm round me, had phrases of empathy and kindness and genuinely gave me assist. The truth that the lads at Leicester liked him a lot was a pleasure to see, a residing legend getting loads of love from a tough nosed, skilled dressing room.
‘After I retired and began doing radio, I would typically be at Villa Park, the radio level being close to the tunnel. Greater than as soon as I would see a plume of ciggy smoke coming from the tunnel an hour after the top of a recreation, Robbo would poke his head across the nook and say “I am listening! I can f***** hear you from right here!”.
‘Final time I noticed him was on the World Well-known Metropolis Floor the place we sat collectively in a field watching the Trickies. He regaled everybody with nice tales, humour and that one thing further that he, and one other nice man dearly missed, Trevor Francis, had. A heat that years of the gnarly trade that’s professional soccer by no means dimmed nor affected. He was simply “Robbo”, an enormous of my childhood, an enormous of a membership we each have been fortunate sufficient to symbolize, however a superb man, only a b****y good man.
‘Sending all my like to Robbo’s household and associates, to everybody at Forest and those that have been fortunate sufficient to spend time with him. Final yr it was Gary Shaw, this yr Robbo, the footballing Gods have not been so form lately. Robbo, you will be sorely missed, thanks on your inspiration as a participant, your assist as a coach and lasting legacy as a beautiful human being. Relaxation in peace, Robbo.’
