Nottingham Forest, the English Premier League football club, announced on Thursday the death of legendary Scottish winger John Robertson at the age of 72, leaving behind an unforgettable football legacy and a career full of achievements that immortalized his name in the history of European football.
The engineer of European miracles
Robertson is considered the most prominent figure of Nottingham Forest's golden era under the legendary manager Brian Clough. The Scottish winger played a crucial role in the team's unprecedented back-to-back European Cup (now Champions League) titles. In the 1979 final against Malmö of Sweden, Robertson was the mastermind behind the winning goal, delivering a pinpoint cross that Trevor Francis converted. The following year, in 1980, Robertson himself scored the historic winning goal against Hamburg of Germany, cementing Forest's continental dominance.
The journey from the bottom to the top
Robertson's career cannot be separated from the incredible historical context of Nottingham Forest in the late 1970s. He was a key member of the team that rose from the Second Division to win the Premier League (formerly the First Division) title immediately after their promotion in 1978, before conquering Europe. His manager, Brian Clough, described him as "the Picasso of our game," given his exceptional dribbling and passing skills, despite not possessing the typical athletic appearance of footballers at the time, making his story all the more inspiring.
A successful training partnership and an international career
Robertson spent the majority of his playing career with Forest, making over 500 appearances across two spells. Internationally, he earned 28 caps for Scotland, scoring the famous winning penalty against arch-rivals England in 1981. After retiring from playing, Robertson remained involved in football, forming a successful coaching partnership with his former teammate Martin O'Neill. He served as O'Neill's assistant and achieved notable success with Leicester City, Celtic, and Aston Villa, cementing his status as a highly influential figure in football and tactics.
A moving tribute to a legend who will never be repeated
In a heartfelt official statement, Nottingham Forest said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend John Robertson. A club great and two-time European Cup winner, John’s unparalleled talent, humility, and unwavering loyalty to Nottingham Forest will never be forgotten.” The club concluded its statement with a touching farewell: “Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends, and all who loved him… Rest in peace, Robo.”.
