Keith Barks

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon @Haircut100 It makes the room look bigger - Half Man Half Biscuit

We’re back @BBCRadioLondon 1pm🎙️ Songs/artists that fill a house 🏠 And asking for your #LondonPalladium memories—who/what have you seen there? Saw @Haircut100 boss it there last night & Bruce Forsyth’s 70th birthday in ’98 😃 You? 👂94.9 | Digital | bbc.co.uk/radiolondon

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce

We’re @BBCRadioLondon @ 1pm. We’re asking for songs with either Bad, Evil or Wicked in the title & which posters were on yr childhood/ teenage bedroom wall. For me it was Rodney Marsh & George Best & then The Fabs & my Punk faves. You? 👂94.9, Digital bbc.co.uk/radiolondon

@henrywinter Such a lovely tribute. So well written Henry. Robbo was an exquisite winger but also an accomplished penalty taker. To emphasise his two-footed ability all of his penalties were taken with his right foot. Not bad for a ‘left winger’

John Robertson: A tribute. The Nottingham Forest legend, who has passed away aged 72, was a joyous, skilful winger who made kids fall in love with the game and reminded adults what the game was really about: beating an opponent with skill and delivering. Above all, Robertson made the game look easy and made it fun to watch. Whatever the occasion. The Forest fans’ banner hanging from a fence at the Bernabeu at the 1980 European Cup final read simply: “Robbo Eats Hamburgers”. Forest’s opponents, Hamburg, boasted many talents, including Kevin Keegan, Felix Magath and also Manny Kaltz, the right wing-back who’d be up against the feared, two-footed winger “Robbo”. Asked about the celebrated Kaltz on the eve of the final, Brian Clough replied, “We’ve got a little fat guy that will turn him inside out – a very talented, highly skilled, unbelievable outside-left.” Robertson needed only 20 minutes to turn Kaltz and waltz through, exchange passes with Garry Birtles, and score the final’s only goal. Even a defender as good as Kaltz couldn’t handle Robertson. The “Picasso of our game” Clough called Robertson. His colourful brushstrokes vivified the green canvas of match-day. His distinctive flourishes in possession helped define the previous European Cup final against Malmo in Munich. Robertson picked up the ball on the left touchline, and nudged it forward with his right, feinting to go inside, confusing Malmo’s right-back, Roland Andersson. Robertson then drove for the line, catching out Andersson and also Robert Prytz, the midfielder racing back. At the last second, as the white of the goal-line loomed, Robertson lifted the ball across for a stooping Trevor Francis to head Forest to that 1979 victory. Andersson had represented Sweden at the World Cup the previous year. Within four weeks of succumbing to Robertson, Kaltz was winning Euro 1980 with West Germany. These were experienced, elite defenders. The joy of John Robertson was not simply the effortless way he eluded defenders of their calibre but that he delivered in major moments. Nothing fazed him. He took pressure, as well as the ball, in his stride. Robertson’s goal against Hamburg was one of 73 he scored in his career. The Scot delighted Forest fans with his trickery and the thrills he gave them but also because he brought trophies: those two European Cups, one League title, and two League Cups. It is no exaggeration to claim that if Robertson had been at a more fashionable club he’d have featured in European Footballer of the Year voting. He wasn’t even in the top 30 in 1979 (won by Keegan) or 1980 (won by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge). Kaltz came fourth and 10th. Robertson deserved some recognition, certainly in the top 10. He may not have been the greatest Nottingham Forest player of all time – but he was in the top one. Apologies for the reworking of Clough’s famous assessment of himself but it applies well to Robertson, one of his favourite players. It brings humour and fact. It also reflects his close association with Clough, who believed in Robertson and helped lift him to great heights. A 2015 fans’ poll by the Nottingham Post confirmed his place as Forest's greatest ever player. Robertson finished ahead of second-placed Stuart Pearce, then Des Walker, John McGovern and Peter Shilton. In the modern era where wingers are often considered a luxury not a staple, and all about speed as much as skill (and often inverted), it feels even more poignant to lament the sad passing of Robertson. He was two-footed for a start, so full-backs didn’t know which side he would go. He could go outside as Andersson learned to his cost in 1979 or come inside on his right, as Kaltz discovered painfully in 1980. Robertson was described as “scruffy, unfit”, not looking like a professional athlete, not least by Clough. “When you get the ball, just give it to the fat lad on the left,” Clough would tell the team. He was stocky more than fat. You don’t turn out for Forest on 243 consecutive occasions between 1976 and 1980 without fitness, fortitude and ability. But even with the occasional cigarette supplementing his diet, Robertson had more than enough to defeat a full-back, he had strength, trickery, enough of a dart to beat his man outside or on the inside as well as applying his game craft. He was a roving puzzle for opponents. It’s fitting to see many of the tributes coming in from Liverpool fans of a certain vintage who remember how Robertson so often took the game to their accomplished right-back, the experienced Phil Neal, of that great Liverpool side. One famous European Cup tie, the first leg against Liverpool in 1978, Robertson didn’t assist or score but those who were there at the City Ground remember one particular storming run down the left before cutting the ball back for Colin Barrett’s shot saved by Ray Clemence. Robertson made things happen. He was another from the dream factory of Drumchapel Amateurs that helped shape Sir Alex Ferguson, Eddie McCreadie, Archie Gemmill and John Wark. He represented Scotland in an era stocked with talent. Jock Stein’s 1982 World Cup squad included Kenny Dalglish, Gordon Strachan, Graeme Souness, Davie Provan and Robertson, amongst others. They didn't always see the best of him but he scored eight times in 28 internationals, including a penalty winner past Joe Corrigan to defeat England at Wembley in 1981. Humility was a word long associated with Robertson. Loyalty, too. Loyalty to Forest, and also loyalty to Martin O’Neill, who he played with at Forest and assisted everywhere from Wycombe Wanderers to Norwich City and Leicester City, from Celtic to Aston Villa - providing stellar service. What a player and coach John Robertson was, and what a wonderful character who will be much missed. RIP.

@sportchippers Or the England one

I can’t imagine anyone would have guessed that Aus XI a month ago… #AUSvENG

@greg_ashman Great book. Part of a fantastic series. It’s about time he brought out the next one

Ah, that’s better.

@Caz_NFFC @forestdotnews Tommy Gaynor, Huddersfield away

@forestdotnews In no particular order; Simon Cox sublime control and lob against Birmingham Lewis McGugan free kick against Ipswich Stuart Pearce cup final free kick against Spurs Guedioura v Leeds in 10 goal thriller Those are a few that are right up there

Simple question… what is the best Nottingham Forest goal ever? This is surely up there⚡️ #nffc

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hittler ? - Bud Flanagan

We’re back @BBCRadioLondon @ 1pm with our music mix. We’re asking for songs that start with one of the 5 W’s & what are the black & white movies that you can watch again & again? I’ll be talking about mine on air but what about you? Listen👂94.9, Digital bbc.co.uk/radiolondon

@RevRichardColes Mee lay in Australia

@ForestTill1Die Paul Harte

Which former #NFFC manager do you think deserved more time?

@ImJamieMartin Robertson, Francis, Shilton, McGovern

NOTTINGHAM FOREST MOUNT RUSHMORE! 🌳 bit of fun, why not…. Who are the FOUR best Forest players in YOUR lifetime? #NFFC

@ForestTill1Die Presumably Toffolo will play at LB

What changes to the side that faced Man United would you make ahead of Villa?

@Forest_Review 1979 N Ireland 1 England 5. Woodcock and Francis two each

Two Nottingham Forest players scoring in the same match for their country. The first time since when, does anybody know? 🤔

@_ChrisBascombe @Carra23 What is @carra23 talking about? Shilton cost Forest $250k

From today’s @Carra23 column. would #wheresthekevinkeeganmoneysmith? have been trending in 1977? 😂😂😂 telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/…

@Imogen_Clark @beanstoast Looking forward to it. Do you know the set time?

Hello #Sydney, me and my lemonade stand here to tell you I’m opening for UK artist @beanstoast on Sat 18 Jan at The Vanguard, Newtown!! It’s the night before my birthday so I’m ready to partyyy. 🥳 Do you have your tickets yet? moshtix.com.au/v2/event/beans… 🍋🧃

@Grantnffc1 I don’t think we will play three at the back at home

@gillbo64 @desoldham Except he called him Steve Chettle

@desoldham When Arsenal beat Liverpool on the last day of the season a couple of weeks later, Tony Adams ruffled Aldridge's hair and said, "That's for Brian Laws!" #NFFC #AFC ... I became an instant Adams fan!

The most distasteful act I’ve ever seen on a football pitch! It’s lived with me since I was 9! It’s not all about one thing, it’s the horrible little moments that get forgotten… What a weekend #nffc fans! Liverpool away, completed it mate ✅ We go again! 🙌

@CrowleyOnAir @BBCRadioLondon Brassneck - The Wedding Present

We’re @BBCRadioLondon @ 1pm with the Saturday Session. We’re asking for songs with one word titles + have you ever got emotional at a concert? It was seeing Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds @ the RFH in 2002 for me. I just got overwhelmed. 94.9, Digital & bbc.co.uk/radiolondon

@Rockstarscars @billybragg @nottco @Superstar_Cars @Snugbucket @StuartPenney1 @Ivycottagebaker @BlackTopMediaUK @BeaconPurple @dmooreandco I met him in Sydney when he was playing with @billybragg. He signed a couple of books I had. His wonderful memoir “All The Rage” and apologised for the shoddy glue as many of the pages had become unstuck. And a new release on the Small Faces” - “All lies you know” Lovely man.

Today would have been the 78th Birthday of Ian McLagan from the Faces and the Small Faces, seen here with Kim McLagan and his BMW, Not sure which we prefer, the car, or the GTAT suit, as both are quite splendid, and should be shown more often! happy heavenly Birthday pls RP

@BarrieEditor1 Blackie Gray overlooked or injured?

With England playing tonight, it's a good opportunity to show Roy's famous England side he selected, featuring players from Roy of the Rovers and Tiger, plus Trevor Francis and Malcolm Macdonald. What do you think of these England shirts?

@djlonsdale @TonyEvans92a There was no FA Cup semi at Hillsborough in 86

@Barksy @TonyEvans92a Must have been 1986 then?

One of the most distressing things about Hillsborough is that some of the biggest deniers are Forest fans. They always "know someone." Funny,, I didn't see any of them down at our end. One of the reasons this catastrophe happened was the lengths the SYP went to keeping us apart