Tributes Paid to Nottingham Forest Legend John Robertson Following His Passing

John Robertson, the esteemed former winger for Nottingham Forest and Scotland, has passed away at the age of 72, as confirmed by the Premier League club.

Having begun and concluded his career at the City Ground, interspersed with a tenure at local rivals Derby, Robertson became a cult figure at Nottingham Forest. His pivotal contributions were instrumental in the club’s European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.

In a historic moment, Robertson delivered the crucial cross for Trevor Francis, leading to the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Swedish team Malmo in Munich, marking Nottingham Forest’s first European Cup win. The following year, he scored in another 1-0 win, helping the team successfully defend their title against Hamburg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Over the course of his five-year international career, Robertson earned 28 caps for Scotland, including participation in the 1982 World Cup.

Post-retirement, he served alongside former Forest teammate Martin O’Neill at various clubs, including Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa.

In a heartfelt statement, Robertson’s family expressed their sorrow: “It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful husband, dad, and grandad. John passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, surrounded by his wife and family after a long illness. Our only solace is knowing that his struggles are over, and he is now reunited with our daughter Jessica.”

They continued, “‘Robbo’ was treasured by many as a footballing hero, but to us, he was simply John and dad, a devoted family man – kind, loving, witty, fun, and loyal. Although our hearts are broken, we will always cherish the years we shared with him and the incredible memories we created. We will miss him every day and love him eternally.”

John is survived by his wife Sharyl, daughter Liz, sons Andrew and Mark, along with granddaughters Jess and Phoebe.

Nottingham Forest issued a statement expressing their grief: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson. A true great of our club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unmatched talent, humility, and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends, and all who loved him. Rest in Peace, Robbo … Our greatest.”

Former Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson also shared his condolences on social media, stating: “Just heard the devastating news that my ex-assistant manager at Celtic, John Robertson, passed earlier today. My thoughts and prayers are with his lovely family.”

Celtic Football Club also extended their sympathies, saying: “Celtic Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of our former assistant manager, John Robertson. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family during this difficult time.”