|
|
|
Jack
Robinson |
Derby County FC,
New Brighton Tower FC, Southampton FC
11 appearances,
11 goals against
5 clean sheets,
one penalty missed, three errors
P 11 W 8 D
1 L 2 F 29: A 11
77% successful
1897-1901
captain: none
minutes played: 990 |
|
 |
|
Timeline |
| |
John William Robinson |
|
Birth |
Friday, 22 April 1870
at The George IV Public House, 36 Leonard Street, Derby, Derbyshire |
|
|
registered in Derby April-June 1870 |
|
Baptism |
31 July 1870 in Derby |
|
|
According to the 1871
census, John W. is the youngest of four children, to William and Sarah Ann
(née Rickards),
they live with two boarders at The George IV public house at 36 Leonard
Street, in the St. Peter's area of Derby. His father is the licensed victualler. |
|
"DEATHS. |
...ROBINSON—March
31, at Leonard-street, Derby, Mr. Wm. Robinson, aged 39"
- The Derby Mercury, Wednesday.4
April 1877 |
|
"TRANSFER
OF LICENCES. |
—On Tuesday (yesterday) at the Derby Borough Police
Court, the following licenses were transferred:—The George the Fourth,
Leonard-street, from W. Robinson to his widow, S.A. Robinson."
- The Derby Mercury, Wednesday.9 May 1877 |
|
|
According to the 1881 census,
Sarah has remarried (on 28 Ma 1878) to Joseph Hanley. John W. is the
youngest of all the four Robinsons to live with them, as well as two new
step-siblings. They still live at the George IV. His step-father is a brickseller, as well as the Publican. |
|
|
According to the 1891 census,
J. is a joiner, lodging with the Smeaton family at 31 Grantham Street in
Lincoln. |
|
"THE
LICENCE OF THE
STAR
VAULTS. |
—At
the Borough Police Court this (Tuesday) morning the license of the Star
Vaults, Market-street, was temporarily transferred from Charles Walker to
John Robinson, the County goal-keeper." - The Derby
Daily Telegraph, Tuesday.26 September 1893. |
|
Marriage |
to Edith
Walters, on 10 July 1893 at St. Chad's Church, Derby, Derbyshire |
|
|
registered in Derby July-September 1893 |
|
Children |
Jack
and Edith Robinson had one daughter together, Edith May |
,%20Jack.JPG) |
His step-father died in early
1894, followed by his mother in early 1896.
According to the 1901 census,
John, following in his father's footsteps, is also a publican, and now married to Edith.
They live at The Wareham Arms, 7 Park View in the Houndwell area of Southampton, together with two
servants.
Newspaper Adverts show that he had been its proprietor since
September 1898. |
|
According to the 1911 census,
John William is now a licensed victualler in Stoke. He is still married
and they now have one daughter, Edith May. They live at the Star Inn at 33
Liverpool Road in the town (left). |
"FAMOUS FOOTBALLER
INCAPACITATED IN NEW YORK.
"The
Sporting Chronicle today states that it has received the following letter
from Mr. J. W. Tough, the secretary of Rochester A.F.C., New York, and the
journal submits it to the consideration of those people who admired the
fine football of the famous international goalkeeper.
"We have
amongst us J.W. Robinson, at one time England's International goalkeeper.
Jack, I am sorry to say, is down and out. He has been subject to apopletic
fits and is in the meantime in the hospital where he has undergone an
operation for that profound disease. It will be a long a time before he
can be himself again. The operation and the hospital fees will cost quite
a large sum of money. We have done our best, but we cannot meet the
necessary expenses, so I would be glad if any friends of Robinson's would
try and help him out." Mr. Tough's address is 28, Arbutus-street,
Rochester, New York." - The Western Evening Herald, Thursday,
8 January 1914 |
|
Cannot be found on the 1921
census, maybe still in Philadelphia? however, Edith, a housekeeper, and their daughter, Edith May, a
railway clerk for the Midland Railway Company, are at 48 Dairyhouse Road
in Derby, at the home of 81 year old uncle Robert Roberts.
A correct
aged (51 years 2 months) John William is boarding with Ernest and Sarah
Jane Barber at 173 Abbey Street in Derby, but it states that this one is 'sinngle' |
|
|
"OLD ARGYLE
GOALKEEPER ILL IN HOSPITAL.
"J.W.
Robinson, the old Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, and
international goalkeeper, lies in the Derby Infirmary suffering from
injuries caused, it is stated, by jumping through his bedroom window
yesterday morning. He has been seriously ill for some time, and on the
previous night his wife said he was delirious. He was admitted to the
infirmary in a semi-unconscious condition, and remained so throughout the
day" - The Western Evening Herald, Thursday, 21December 1922 |
|
Death |
Wednesday, 28 October 1931
in Derby City General Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, after a short illness. He had
been living in Turnditch. |
|
aged
61 years 189 days |
registered in Derby October-December 1931 |
|
Obituary |
"Memories of Jack Robinson
"The death of Jack Robinson, one of the most famous goalkeepers England
ever had, which occurred in hospital at Derby, yesterday, will recall to
supporters of Derby County some of the palmiest days in the history of the
club. He played when the Goodalls, Steve Bloomer and Jimmy Methven were
att their prime, and on eleven occasions was chosen to represent England
in international matches. Robinson's transfer from Derby to New Brighton
some 30 years ago was one of the sensations of the day. The late Jimmy
Bulmer, the County's assistant secretary, had accepted the position of
manager of the club which the proprietors of New Brighton Tower had formed
as one of their attractions. They gave him carte blanche and he collected
a team of all the talents, which for a time did well in the League. Jack
Robinson received a tempting offer to join the new organisation, and his
removal from Derby was a great blow to the County. Other good goal-keepers
followed him, but it is questionable whether any of them quite came up to
Robinson's standard. Later, he played for Southampton, and remained in the
game for many years longer. More recently he has resided at Turnditch,
maintaining his interest in his old club to the last.
He leaves a widow
and daughter, to whom sympathy will be offered by many old Derby football
enthusiasts, who remember Jack Robinson not only as a great player but as
a good sportsman."
-
The Derby Daily Telegraph, Thursday, 29
October 1931. |
Funeral
Saturday, 31 October 1931
Derby |
|
"The funeral took place to-day of
Mr. Jack Robinson, formerly one of England's leading goalkeepers, who died
in hospital at Derby on Wednesday. Steve Bloomer, an old colleague,
attended the funeral as representative of the Derby club and players.
Among the wreaths was one from the directors, players and staff of Derby
County F.C. It was decorated with club colours—black and white ribbons.
Family mourners were: Mrs. Robinson (widow), Miss May Robinson (daughter),
Mrs. Riggall (sister), Sergeant Hurley and Mr. Riggall."
-
The Derby Daily Telegraphs Saturday, 31
October 1931. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Began
his career with Derby St. Neots FC in 1886 and Derby Midland FC the
following year, before he joined Lincoln City FC in 1888. He returned to
Derbyshire with Derby County
FC in August 1891. Then, on 4 May 1897,
Robinson was 'induced' to sign for for £5pw.
However, the legalities were not completed in time and he re-signed with
County....so both clubs believed they had Robinson's services for the
1897-98 season. |
"ROBINSON AND DERBY COUNTY
"The Football Association have issued their
award in the dispute between the Derby County and New Brighton Tower
Football Clubs in respect to John Robinson, the goalkeeper. A commission
was held in Manchester on August 11th, and it was then decided that the
New Brighton Club, before they could be affiliated, must furnish proof
that they had purchased the interests of all the shareholders in the New
Brighton Tower Company, and produce the transfers. In the award the
association state that they are satisfied that the purchase referred to is
in order, and subject to the undertaking being strictly and promptly
carried out they decide...(5) that the registration of J. W. Robinson for
Derby County is invalid, on the ground that Derby County knew that
Robinson had entered into a legal agreement which would prevent him from
carrying out his engagement with te; (6) that the engagement between J. W.
Robinson and the New Brighton F.C. is cancelled, on the ground that it was
not entered into in accordance with the rules of the Football
Association." - Lincolnshire Echo, Thursday,
26 August 1897. |
With New Brighton, he had signed a contract with a
non-affiliated club, and with County, he had signed after entering into an
agreement with the Lancashire League club, leaving both contracts void and
Robinson a free agent and he re-signed for New Brighton Tower FC on 27
August.
In May 1898 Robinson eventually joined Southampton FC for £5 10s per week,
for a £400 transfer fee, paid to Derby County FC, and were
subsequently charged for poaching him with a £50 inducement. The
rumour of negotiations had been denied for the weeks beforehand.
After 116 Southern League appearances, he
remained on the
south coast when Plymouth Argyle FC signed him as their first professional
goalkeeper on 1 May 1903, making another fifty
appearances. During the 1904-05 season,
"Robinson's knee gave way and this resulted in his having to undergo ten
operations. Two local doctors told him to lie in bed for three months and
it would be twelve months before he would appear on the field again.
However, Robinson visited Mr. H.A. Barber, the celebrated bone-setter, of
Park-lane, London, who after three weeks treatment, completely cured the
damaged knee" and Robinson returned to the
reserves, before Exeter City FC signed him in late 1905. Millwall
Athletic FC signed him on 10 November 1905. He was allowed to remain and
train in Plymouth, however, before a return to Plymouth when
he joined Green Waves FC, of the Plymouth & District League, in 1907.
Exeter City FC again on 7 November 1908. Made one final move to Stoke FC
in May 1909, retiring in 1912
after 55 appearances, when he left on 23
October 1912 to assist Philadelphia clubs in the United States, and played for Rochester
FC of New York City. He left England with the intention to 'settle', but
evidence suggests he soon returned. |
League honours
163 appearances |
Derby County FC
1891-1897 163 appearances
debut: 5 September 1891 Stoke FC 2 Derby
County FC 1
last; 20 April 1897 Derby County FC 0 Everton FC 1.
"...and as the teams came out following half-time a rousing cheer at
Stanley Park end greeted our esteemed friend of that time—Jack Robinson,
te Derby goalkeeper. At tat time the Everton directors accorded permission
to a worthy dame to sell penny packets of 'lemon drops' from the inside of
the fence, and as Robinson was a particular favourite of hers she
smilingly held up a packet of her wares to him as he approached the goal.
Jack stepped round the goal behind the net, lifted his cap with that
inimitable air he had, and accepted the packet with a few word of thanks.
The instant before,
the whistle had blown; Hartley transferred to Jack Bell, who sprinted the
half distance to goal like the flier he was, whipped the ball across, and
poor Robinson stood spellbound behind the net and watched Abraham Hartley
drive the ball through the vacant space six and a half seconds after the
resumption probably the quickest won goal on record." - The
Green 'un, Saturday, 5 January 1918.
However great
that story is....."Within
five minutes of the interval, Methven accidentally fouled, and from the
free-kick, which wa close in, Cox put through his own goal in attempting
to stop a swift shot by Stewart." The Sheffield and Rotherham
Independent, Wednesday, 21 April 1897.
"The Everton
forwards again attacked, and from a free kick close in, well taken by
Stewart, the ball glanced off Cox into the net. Half-time was announced
shortly afterwards." - The Liverpool Mercury, Wednesday, 21
April 1897 |
Club honours |
Midland League winners
1889-90;
Lincolnshire Senior Cup winners
1890-91;
Football League
Division One
third place 1893-94 (25ᵃ), 1896-97 (30ᵃ),
runners-up 1895-96
(30ᵃ);
FA Cup
semi-finalists 1895-96, 1896-97, runners-up 1899-1900, 1901-02;
Lancashire League winners 1897-98;
Southern League winners
1898-99, 1900-01, 1902-03; |
|
Individual honours |
None |
|
Distinctions |
Also played Baseball for
Derby. |
|
Height/Weight |
5' 11",
nearly 13st
[1898]. 5'
10", 13st.
4lbs [1901], 5' 11", 13st, 7lbs [1902] |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990]. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
One of five who became the 229th players
(229) to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Goalkeeper;
27th goalkeeper to appear |
|
First match |
No.
59,
20 February 1897, England
6
Ireland 0,
a British Championship match at Trentbridge Cricket Ground,
Brook Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, aged
26 years
304 days.
 |
Last match
4 years 17 days |
No. 71,
9 March 1901, England 3 Ireland 0, a British Championship match at The
Dell, Milton Road, The Common, Southampton, aged
30 years 321 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship 1896-97, 1897-98, 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1900-01; |
|
Team honours |
British Championship winners 1897-98, 1898-99, 1900-01; |
|
Individual honours |
The South
(four appearances, 12ᵍᵃ February 1899-February 1902) |
|
Distinctions |
Robinson
was England's most appearanced goalkeeper between 1900 and 1910, when
Sam Hardy
took the record.
Died 26 days after Andrew Amos |
|
Beyond England |
|
Emigrated to the Philadelphia, United States,
in early November 1912, where he continued to play and train others the game.
Returning to live in Turnditch, Derby, shortly before his death.
One source suggests that Robinson was suffering with deafness, as a result
to a kick to the head. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.211. |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
11 |
+18 |
0 |
5 |
2.636 |
1 |
77.3 |
+6 |
|
All of his matches were played in the British
Championship |
Venue Record
|
Venue |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Home |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
3 |
+13 |
0 |
3 |
3.20 |
0.60 |
80.0 |
+3 |
|
Away |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
8 |
+5 |
0 |
2 |
2.167 |
1.333 |
75.0 |
+3 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1896-97 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
+5 |
0 |
1 |
3.50 |
1.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1897-98 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+3 |
|
BC 1898-99 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
0.50 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
BC 1899-1900 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
1.333 |
1.667 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1900-01 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
+3 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC
All |
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
11 |
+18 |
0 |
5 |
2.636 |
1.00 |
77.3 |
+6 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
11 |
+18 |
0 |
5 |
2.636 |
1.00 |
77.3 |
+6 |
|
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
11 |
+18 |
0 |
5 |
2.636 |
1 |
77.3 |
+6 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
|
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