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Tributes flow for 'bright guy who loved life' Michael Robinson

Updated / Tuesday, 28 Apr 2020 17:26
Michael Robinson has died at the age of 61
Michael Robinson has died at the age of 61

Tributes have poured in from across the football spectrum in Ireland, Spain and the UK following the passing of Michael Robinson.

The former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool striker, who established a long broadcasting career in Spain over the past 30 years, died aged 61 in Madrid on Tuesday.

Mark Lawrenson was a long-time team-mate of Robinson. They played cricket together in their teens before featuring for Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Ireland. 

Lawrenson told RTÉ Sport: "He loved life. He loved what he did. He always had a smile on his face and it felt like every time he turned up at the Liverpool training ground, he thought to himself how lucky he was. 

"He was a bright and intelligent guy as we saw with how he made it in Spanish radio and television. 

"He came like a Desmond Lynam who was brilliant at radio and televison but also had played football at the highest level.

"He came on in the European Cup final in 1984 so he has a winners' medal in that too." 

Eoin Hand's Republic of Ireland team that played France in October 1981, featuring Mark Lawrenson (C, back row, Ronnie Whelan (back-row 2nd from R) and Michael Robinson (front row 2nd from R)

Former Republic of Ireland manager Eoin Hand, who gave Robinson his international debut, added: "I'm so sad to hear of his passing. He was a young man at 61.

"My memories of Michael is in 1980 bringing him into the international team and he immediately was very, very popular with everybody.

"There was a lovely naivety about him. He was a very jovial fella, I kept in touch with him all through the years.

"He was a very intelligent guy. He went out to Spain, learned the language and had a great career after in broadcasting.

"As a personal friend we used to have great chats so I'm very, very sad to hear of his passing."

Robinson's Liverpool and Ireland colleague Ronnie Whelan recalled Robinson's role in the Merseysiders' treble-winning season of 1983/84: "Michael came on in the (European Cup) final, for Kenny Dalglish.

"He was such a team player. Nothing fazed him and he always seemed comfortable with what he did."

Robinson's former Liverpool, Preston, Brighton and Ireland team-mate Mark Lawrenson was also among those to pay tribute.

FAI interim deputy CEO Niall Quinn recalled meeting Robinson when he was first called up to the Republic of Ireland squad in 1986.

"My initial introduction to Michael Robinson was as an Ireland fan, standing on the terraces at the old Lansdowne Road and watching him bust a gut for Eoin Hand and that great team that nearly made the World Cup finals in 1982," Quinn told FAI.ie

"Michael was brilliant in those days. He wasn't maybe as silken-skilled as Don Givens had been before him in that centre-forward role but he was energetic and so selfless in how he played in the green shirt.

"I'd say he was a gangbuster striker who left everything out on the pitch and all the fans really loved that about him in those great games against the likes of France, Spain and the USSR when he really made a difference.

"I was lucky enough then to room with Michael when Big Jack called me up for that Icelandic triangular tournament in 1986. From the moment I met him as a player, Michael couldn’t do enough for me.

"He was a class act back then, well dressed, smartly presented and with the coolest watch I’d ever seen. He knew about life as well as football and I’ll always remember him sipping decanted wine in Iceland when the rest of us were downing pints after winning that tournament.

"Michael went on not just to play in Spain but to master the language and become one of the country’s most successful broadcasters ever which shows you the measure of the man."

Graeme Souness, who won the European Cup, league and League Cup treble with Robinson at Liverpool also marked his loss on Sky Sports.

"He was a big pal of mine and I've so many fond memories of being in his company," said the former Liverpool captain. "I'm absolutely sick for his family. It's a sad day for me.

"I've tried to ring him a couple of times in the last couple of weeks and Michael's a very emotional man and he wouldn't pick up the phone any more to me.

"It was only last night where I was thinking 'I'm going to try him and try him till I get him'. I thought I won't ring him now because he may be in his bed having an early night and I was going to ring him today. And I've not got a chance to speak to him.

"A real charming man, could tell great stories. When you look at his career, he was a very good footballer and he enjoyed a year at Liverpool when we had a glory year and he was a big part of that.

"I've got so many fond memories of being in his company. If you were going for a night out, Michael would be the first one you'd invite, a real charming man, bon viveur and he could tell great stories."

Souness recalled one tale from Robinson that demonstrated how highly he was regarded in Spain.

Souness added: "I can remember him phoning me up once, he'd been out to lunch with Seve Ballesteros and he was walking down the street in Madrid, half a dozen asked him for an autograph and only one asked Seve.
"He was rejoicing in that."

Former Liverpool and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, current Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian and Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal also all paid tribute to Robinson on social media.

19-time Grand Slam winner Nadal said: "We woke up with the sad news of the death of one of our own. You were the one who always made us happy about sport. We are grateful to you. RIP @michaelrobinson. A hug and all possible encouragement to your family."

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