Football legend John Robertson laid to rest
Nottingham Forest legend John Robertson was laid to rest at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottinghamshire on Friday, reports BritPanorama.
Football icons and loved ones gathered to celebrate the life of one of the club’s most celebrated players. The former winger, who passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 72 following a prolonged battle with illness, including Parkinson’s disease, was remembered for his significant contributions to Forest’s history.
Robertson remains a pivotal figure in Nottingham Forest lore, playing an instrumental role in the club’s back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 under manager Brian Clough. His decisive actions during both finals cemented his legacy; he assisted the winning goal in the 1979 match against Malmo in Munich and scored in the 1980 final against Hamburg.
Among those paying their respects were Forest legends Roy Keane, Stuart Pearce, and Martin O’Neill, as well as current manager Sean Dyche and club chairman Nicolas Randall. Former Scotland international Eddie Grey also joined the mourners, highlighting the impact Robertson had within football circles.
Vicki McClure, a Line of Duty actress and devoted Forest supporter, paid tribute along with her husband, Jonny Owen, who produced a documentary celebrating the club’s illustrious years and formed a close friendship with Robertson. Clough, renowned for his colorful descriptions, once called Robertson “a Picasso of our game,” while Stuart Pearce referred to him as the greatest player in the club’s history, a sentiment echoed by a 2015 Nottingham Post poll where Robertson was named the supporters’ all-time favorite.
Robertson’s career stretched across 627 matches, mainly spent at the city ground where he made his debut in October 1970, accruing 502 appearances during a 13-year tenure. After a brief spell with Derby County in the lower divisions, he returned to finish his playing career at Forest in the 1985-86 season. On the international stage, he earned 28 caps for Scotland, famously scoring the winning penalty against England at Wembley in 1981.
Following retirement, Robertson contributed to football as Martin O’Neill’s assistant at various clubs including Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the indelible mark he left on the game and the enduring respect he commands within the football community.
As the last echoes of remembrance fade, it is clear that Robertson’s artistry on the field will resonate long after his passing, a reminder of how legends shape our love for the beautiful game.
