John Robinson (footballer)

John Robinson
Personal information
Full nameJohn Robert Campbell Robinson[1]
Date of birth29 August 1971
Place of birthBulawayo, Rhodesia
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Youth career
1987–1989Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1989–1992Brighton & Hove Albion62(6)
1992–2003Charlton Athletic332(35)
2003–2004Cardiff City42(3)
2004Gillingham4(0)
2005Crawley Town8(2)
2005Lewes7(1)
Total455(47)
National team
Wales U2116(3)
1995–2002Wales30(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

John Robert Campbell Robinson (born 29 August 1971) is a Rhodesian-born former Welsh professional footballer. He made over 400 appearances during his professional career with Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Cardiff City and Gillingham and also won 30 caps for Wales.[2]

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.[3]

Career

After attending the Bobby Charlton Soccer School,[4] 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 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.[5] 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.[3][6] 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."[3] He later had short spells with non-league sides Crawley Town and Lewes before retiring.[7]

After retirement

After leaving football, Robinson set up a property business with former Cardiff team mate Martyn Margetson and also runs his own football training school.[8] On 21 May 2013 Robinson was named the head coach of the SW Florida Adrenaline of the USL Premier Development League.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
  2. ↑ "John Robinson". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Callow, Nick (12 December 2004). "Exit Robinson with a warning". London: The Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Past world skills winners". Bobby Charlton Soccer and Sports Academy. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Rotherham 0–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 9 August 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  6. ↑ "Transfers – October 2004". BBC Sport. 29 October 2004. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Robinson leaves Crawley for Lewes". BBC Sport. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2005.
  8. ↑ "Robinson seeking new challenges". BBC Sport. 1 December 2004. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/may/21/mens-soccer-john-robinson-takes-over-southwest-adr/

External links