John Robertson: Ex-Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger dies aged 72…

John Robertson: Ex-Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger dies aged 72…

Former Nottingham Forest and Scotland winger John Robertson has died at the age of 72.

Robertson, who began and ended his profession at the City Ground, both aspect of a spell at local rivals Derby, grew to become a cult hero at Forest after playing an integral half in the club’s European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

Robertson supplied the cross for Trevor Francis to go house the only purpose against Swedish outfit Malmo in Munich as Brian Clough’s aspect lifted the European Cup for the first time.

Twelve months later, Robertson was on the scoresheet in another 1-0 victory as Forest efficiently defended their European crown against Hamburg at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

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He gained 28 caps for Scotland during his five-year worldwide profession, which included being chosen at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.

A press release from Forest read: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson.

“A true nice of our club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled expertise, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and all who loved him.

“Rest in Peace, Robbo… Our best.”

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Lanarkshire-born Robertson signed for Forest aged 15, soon making his debut when only 17, and would turn out to be a key participant as Clough’s aspect gained the First Division league title in 1978 before back-to-back European Cup triumphs.

Robertson also gained the League Cup twice with Forest, before becoming a member of Derby in 1983.

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After two years at Derby, Robertson returned to the City Ground in 1985, playing 12 occasions in his final season before 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.

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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 just exterior Glasgow, dwelling in the same Viewpark space as another 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 at the local Tunnock’s biscuit manufacturing facility.

Robertson represented Scotland Schoolboys and signed for Forest aged 15 before making his debut when 17.

Image:
John Robertson has died aged 72

Forest had been relegated from the top flight in 1972 and, although Robertson loved a spell under 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.

Despite this, Robertson was bizarrely and mistakenly called up by new England boss Don Revie as he named 90 gamers for a get-together in 1974.

Clough jokingly branded Robertson “tramp” because of his look, however the winger longed for any gesture of approval he received from his boss, saying in his 2012 autobiography, Super Tramp: “When I was the recipient I could have done cartwheels. The day I stopped playing for the gaffer, it seemed there was a huge void in my life.”

Robertson gained the title, two League Cups and two European Cups – establishing Trevor Francis to score the only purpose against Malmo in the 1979 final after overcoming the demise of his brother Hughie in a street accident days before the semi-final, an incident which precipitated his heavy smoking. He scored himself against Hamburg in the 1980 showpiece.

Image:
Robertson twice gained the European Cup at Forest

His kind with Forest received him into Scotland’s 1978 World Cup squad before he had even made his worldwide debut.

Robertson netted eight occasions in 28 appearances, scoring against New Zealand in the 1982 World Cup and netting a Wembley winner in 1981 – after which he received a carry into London on the England team bus having organized an evening out at Stringfellows with Forest and England striker Tony Woodcock.

The day he stopped playing for Clough initially got here in 1983 when, with Forest contract talks slow to get going, he shocked his mentor by signing for Taylor at Derby. The deal spelled the end of Taylor and Clough’s already frosty relationship and Robertson was initially told he was not welcome at the City Ground.

The transfer proved a catastrophe.

Robertson’s thoughts was not absolutely on the job after his first baby, Jessica, was born severely disabled in pre-season. With Forest again in Europe, Derby had been struggling and relegated from the Second Division at the end of the season.

Clough forgave Robertson and re-signed him in 1985, with the Scot playing 12 occasions in his final season before being launched.

Image:
Robertson gained the 1977/78 First Division title at Forest

At 33, he was stunned to seek out no gives from league golf equipment and he had an sad spell operating a pub.

Life after soccer proved tough initially with Robertson and first spouse Sally concerned in a prolonged authorized battle with the NHS over the treatment of their daughter at delivery.

Jessica, who had cerebral palsy, couldn’t talk and she died aged 13, however Robertson admitted she had made him more caring and thoughtful.

Robertson break up along with his spouse and hung out sleeping on associates’ couches, however his friendship with former Forest team-mate Martin O’Neill helped him enormously.

Robertson performed for O’Neill at non-league Grantham, received a job under him promoting insurance coverage, then, after a spell as Grantham supervisor himself, was a scout for him at Wycombe, Norwich and Leicester.

By the time 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 special (coaching) partner, no question about that,” O’Neill recalled in 2024 when Robertson was featured in BBC Scotland’s Icons of Football sequence.

“People, for want of a better phrase, bought into John, they really did. There was something about him.”

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Robertson’s final 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 while playing 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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