Michael Robinson – An obituary
Former Liverpool, Brighton and Hove Albion and Osasuna Michael Robinson died today at the age of 61.
Robinson probably became more famous after his playing career, having spent 30 years in a variety of roles on Spanish television.
It was at Second Division Preston North End where Robinson started his career. After four years at Deepdale, Malcolm Allison came in and signed him for Manchester City for £750,000. This was a large transfer fee at the time and considered an extravagance for a player of Robinson’s age and lack of experience in the top flight.
After spending less than a season at Maine Road, Robinson was on the move again. He joined Brighton and Hove Albion and spent three years there.
His last appearances for the club came in the 1983 FA Cup Final and Replay against Manchester United. After a 2-2 draw in the first game, United won 4-0 in the replay.
Brighton were relegated in the 1982/83 season and Robinson had expressed that he wanted to leave the club and stay in the First Division.
Liverpool had a bid of £250,000 accepted and he spent a season at Anfield, competing with Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush for a first-team place.
Dalglish and Rush had formed a great partnership and Robinson found first team starts were hard to come by.
He still played as a substitute in the 1984 League Cup Final and European Cup Final and won the League Championship in his only season at Anfield.
A move to the Capital was next for Robinson and he spent two years at Queens Park Rangers, reaching the 1986 League Cup Final.
Rangers lost the Final 3-0 to Oxford United but Robinson scored a sublime 40 yard effort away to Chelsea in the Quarter Finals of the League Cup run.
A life-changing opportunity came about in January of 1987 when Osasuna of Spain came in and offered him a contract.
He jumped at the chance and moved out to Spain. He spent the last two years of his playing career with Osasuna before retiring at the relatively young age of 31.
After retiring in the summer of 1989, the opportunity of a TV presenting role came up on Spanish TV for the 1990 World Cup. Robinson thrived in the television environment and was regular face on Spanish football coverage for the next 30 years.
Robinson appeared 24 times for the Republic of Ireland, finding the back of the net on four occasions.
News of his death came out today and big-names in sport, ranging from former team-mate Graeme Souness and tennis star Rafael Nadal lead the tributes.
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