John Robinson (footballer, born 1971)

Early life

Robinson was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to a Glasgow-born father and Rhodesian mother. His father's job later moved the family to Durban in South Africa before they settled in Sussex in order for Robinson to pursue his dream of playing professional football.

Club career

After attending the Bobby Charlton Soccer School, Robinson began his professional career at Brighton & Hove Albion, signing his first deal with the club in 1987. In 1992, he moved to Charlton Athletic for £75,000; he would spend the bulk of his career with the south-east London club. In eleven years at Charlton, he helped the Addicks to two promotions and also enjoyed three seasons of Premier League football. He played in their dramatic win over Sunderland in the 1998 play-off final, winning 7–6 on penalties after a 4–4 draw, with Robinson himself scoring one of the penalties.

Robinson was released at the end of the 2002–03 season and joined Cardiff City following their promotion to Division One, making his debut on the opening day of the 2003–04 season in a 0–0 draw with Rotherham United. In October 2004, Robinson decided to leave Cardiff to sign for Gillingham to be closer to his mother, who was suffering from illness, and family. However, he retired after making just four appearances for the club after becoming disillusioned with professional football, stating "I haven't fallen out of love with playing football, it's the politics of football and becoming a commodity I don't like." He later had short spells with non-league sides Crawley Town and Lewes before retiring.

International career

After winning 16 caps for the Wales U21 side, Robinson made his debut for the senior team in a match against Albania in 1995. He played 30 games and scored three goals for the senior team before announcing his retirement in 2002.

Born in Rhodesia, Robinson qualified to play for Wales by being a British passport holder – a route to qualification that had been removed by the time he retired from international football.

After retirement

After leaving football, Robinson set up a property business with former Cardiff teammate Martyn Margetson and also runs his own football training school. In 2008, he managed Canterbury School (Ft. Myers, FL) to an unbeaten 15-0-2 season in his first year at the school. On 21 May 2013, Robinson was named the head coach of the SW Florida Adrenaline of the USL Premier Development League. In 2017 he was elected to the Charlton Athletic Hall of Fame.

Honours

Individual

• Welsh Footballer of the Year: 2000
• PFA Team of the Year: 1997–98 First Division, 1999–2000 First Division

References

References

1. Hayes, Dean. (2006). "The Who's Who of Cardiff City". Breedon Books.
2. "John Robinson". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
3. Callow, Nick. (12 December 2004). "Exit Robinson with a warning". [[The Independent]].
4. "Past world skills winners". Bobby Charlton Soccer and Sports Academy.
5. (9 August 2003). "Rotherham 0–0 Cardiff". [[BBC Sport]].
6. (29 October 2004). "Transfers – October 2004". [[BBC Sport]].
7. (25 November 2007). "Robinson leaves Crawley for Lewes". BBC Sport.
8. (13 August 2002). "Robinson closes door on Wales".
9. (1 December 2004). "Robinson seeking new challenges". [[BBC Sport]].
10. [http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/may/21/mens-soccer-john-robinson-takes-over-southwest-adr/ Unknown]{{Dead link. (November 2024)
11. (4 October 2000). "Robinson named Player of the Year". BBC Sport.
12. (1998). "The 1998–99 Official PFA Footballers Factfile". Queen Anne Press.
13. (30 April 2000). "Keane claims award double".