Nottingham Forest Football Club announced in a sad official statement the death of their legendary Scottish winger, John Robertson, at the age of 72. Robertson is considered one of the most prominent figures in the history of British football and the true architect of the English club's golden era in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
A moving tribute to a legend who will never be repeated
The club said in its statement: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend John Robertson. He was truly one of our greatest players and a two-time European Cup winner. His unique talent, humility, and unwavering loyalty to Nottingham Forest will never be forgotten.” This tribute reflects the exceptional status of the player, whom legendary manager Brian Clough dubbed “our game’s Picasso” for his remarkable ability to create chances out of nothing.
From a "waste of time" to the pinnacle of European glory
Robertson was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on January 20, 1953, and joined Nottingham Forest at the age of 17. His start was far from easy, as he struggled for playing time until the arrival of legendary manager Brian Clough in 1975. In his memoirs, Clough admitted that his first impression of Robertson was extremely negative, describing him as “careless, unfit, and a waste of time.” But Clough’s keen eye recognized the latent talent, leading him to decide to utilize Robertson on the left wing, a decision that would change the course of the club’s history.
The miracle worker of European nights
Robertson played a direct role in the team's promotion to the First Division in 1977 and their immediate league title win, but the greatest achievement was continental dominance. Robertson is considered the decisive player in the two European Cup (now Champions League) finals that the team won
- 1979 final in Munich: Robertson created the only winning goal with a perfect cross that Trevor Francis headed into the net of Swedish side Malmo.
- The 1980 final in Madrid: Robertson himself scored the only winning goal against German side Hamburg, outperforming international full-back Manny Kaltz, fulfilling the prophecy of his coach Clough, who said before the match: “We have a fat little man who will make him spin around.”
A successful international and training career
Internationally, Robertson wore the Scottish national team jersey in 28 matches, and participated in the World Cup finals in 1978 and 1982, representing his country in the most glorious era of Scottish football.
After retiring from playing, Robertson remained involved in football, forming a successful coaching partnership with his former Forest teammate, Martin O'Neill. Robertson served as O'Neill's assistant at several prominent clubs, including Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City, Leicester City, Celtic, and Aston Villa, where he became renowned for his ability to read the game and motivate players, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in British football.
