An incredibly heavy heart having been told of the passing of John Robertson, Forest's greatest ever player, my coach at Leicester and one of the loveliest, kindest hearted humans I've met.
As a kid he was a hero on Star Soccer with his beguiling wing play, trademark shoulder drop, go past the fullback and cross. When I finally got to Forest I wore white tape under my shinpads in homage to him.
At Leicester with Martin O'Neill he knew of my issues and problems and instead like many, who mocked them, he put a literal arm around me, had words of empathy and kindness and genuinely gave me support. The fact that the lads at Leicester loved him so much was a joy to see, a living legend getting a lot of love from a hard nosed, experienced dressing room.
When I retired and started doing radio, I'd often be at Villa Park, the radio point being near the tunnel. More than once I'd see a plume of ciggy smoke coming from the tunnel an hour after the end of a game, Robbo would poke his head around the corner and say "I'm listening! I can f***** hear you from here!".
Last time I saw him was at the World Famous City Ground where we sat together in a box watching the Trickies. He regaled everyone with great stories, humour and that something extra that he, and another great man dearly missed, Trevor Francis, had. A warmth that years of the gnarly industry that is pro football never dimmed nor affected. He was just "Robbo", a giant of my childhood, a giant of a club we both were lucky enough to represent, but a good man, just a bloody good man.
Sending all my love to Robbo's family and friends, to everyone at Forest and those who were lucky enough to spend time with him.
Last year it was Gary Shaw, this year Robbo, the footballing Gods haven't been so kind in recent years.
Robbo, you'll be sorely missed, thank you for your inspiration as a player, your support as a coach and lasting legacy as a lovely human being.
Rest in peace, Robbo.
🗣️ “It’s been a really successful period… In many ways I feel really sad for him and his family”
Chris Sutton reacts to the news that Peter Lawwell will be standing down as Chairman of Celtic - the Hoops face Dundee Utd at Tannadice tonight, live on Sky from 7pm 📺
Since Brendan Rodger’s left we are now seeing our captain Callum McGregor stepping up to what he’s capable of. Hopefully we see more of this from last season towards the end of this season 💪🍀
Ralston has to be the worst right back to ever play for us. If we were a serious club at all he’d have been fucked off a long time ago. Guy wouldn’t even get a game for Greenock Morton.