Jack Robinson (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Jack Robinson


fullname = John William Robinson
nickname =
height =
weight =
dateofbirth = birth date|1870|4|22
cityofbirth = Derby
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|1931|10|28|1870|4|22
cityofdeath = Derby
countryofdeath = England
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years =
1889-1891
1891-1897
1897-1898
1898-1903
1903-1905
1905
1905-1907
1907
1908-1909
1909-1912
1912-?
clubs = Derby Midland
Lincoln City
Derby County
New Brighton Tower
Southampton
Plymouth Argyle
Exeter City
Millwall
Green Waves (Plymouth)
Exeter City
Stoke City
Rochester (New York)
caps(goals) =
163 0(0)
116 0(0)







manageryears =
managerclubs =
nationalyears = 1897-1901
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 011 00(0)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

John William Robinson, also referred to as Jack Robinson was a professional footballer who played for, among others Derby County, Southampton and England. Robinson was noted, during his playing career, for his reliability and was, according to author Francis Hodgson, among the first goalkeepers to dive full length to make saves. Touring eastern Europe with Southampton in 1899, Robinson played a notable role in introducing modern goalkeeping techniques to Austria and Hungary. Gyula Grosics, the Hungarian international of the 1950s, observed that "it was Moon of the Corinthians, Robinson, and many other world-famous England goalkeepers who have been the pioneers of this art, and they showed the way for all Europe's goalkeepers." Hugo Meisl, the noted coach of the Austrian "Wunderteam" of the 1930s, went further, recalling:

:"In that year (1899) the first English professionals came over, Southampton F.C. They beat the Viennese city eleven 6-0 and their goalkeeper, Robinson, showed for the first time how to tackle low shots by flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Until this day (1930) that type of save is called a 'Robinsonade' in Austria and Central Europe. After the match, Robinson gave an exhibition. His goal was bombarded simultaneously with six balls and he blocked most of the shots."

Robinson also played baseball, alongside Steve Bloomer, for Derby County Baseball Club and helped them become British champions twice in the 1890s.

Robinson made 163 League appearances for the Rams before spending his thirties with several clubs both in the UK and the United States. though his most celebrated era during this period was when he teamed up with a host of ex internationals and top flight experienced players to help Southampton dominate the Southern League at the turn of the 20th Century.

As goalkeeper Robinson was instrumental in a string of victories over top flight sides in the F A cup during this period, especially in getting to the 1900 FA Cup Final where infighting over the selection of an out of form English forward over the in form Roddy McLeod of Scotland led to fighting between the English and Scottish factions and ultimately led to a very disjointed team performance and a heavy defeat. [ [http://www.freewebs.com/captainbeecher/1900.htm Giant Killers 1900] ]

Honours

"Football Player"

Derby County

*English League
**"Runner Up" 1895-96

Southampton

*FA Cup
**"Finalist" 1900, 1902
*Southern League Champions: 3
** 1898-99, 1900-01, 1902-03

England
*British Champions: 4
**1898, 1899, 1901
**"Shared titles" 1903

"Baseball Player"

Derby County Baseball Club

*British Champions: 2
**1895, 1897

External links

* [http://www.therams.co.uk/details.asp?back=true&key=2941|0|2C97135881782|R|713|157322972004352579531&parentkey=2941|0|2C97135881782|p|713|0 Robinson at www.therams.co.uk/]
* [http://www.sabruk.org/examiner/05/lastgame.html Robinson and baseball]
* [http://www.aptronym.co.uk/aar/international/international015.html Robinson at Plymouth Argyle fansite]

Footnotes

References

*cite book
author=Gary Chalk & Duncan Holley
title=Saints - A complete record
publisher= Breedon Books
year=1987
id=ISBN 0-907969-22-4
*cite book
author=Duncan Holley & Gary Chalk
title=The Alphabet of the Saints
publisher= ACL & Polar Publishing
year=1992
id=ISBN 0-9514862-3-3
*cite book
author=Francis Hodgson
title=Only the Goalkeeper To Beat
publisher= Macmillan
year=1998
id=ISBN 0-333-68693-4