March 29, 2024
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Michael Robinson

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Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool – Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson – Introduction

Michael Robinson was born in Leicester, England on 12 July 1958. He had been signed by Malcolm Allison’s Manchester City for £750,000 from Preston North End but he had disappointed at Maine Road and was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for £400,000.

His performances for Brighton had caught the attention of some of England’s bigger clubs when Liverpool’s manager Joe Fagan moved to sign Robinson in August 1983 for a transfer fee of £200,000. Initially it was assumed that Robinson had been signed as back up to Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush but as the new season kicked off Fagan played Dalglish in a more withdrawn role with Robinson and Rush in front of him.

Michael Robinson & Liverpool

Michael Robinson made his Liverpool debut on 20 August 1983 against Manchester United at Wembley in the Charity Shield. United won that match 2-0. Despite not finding the net in his first nine matches Fagan persevered with Robinson.

Michael Robinson scored his first goal for Liverpool on 28 September 1983 against Denmark’s Odense Boldklub in the European Cup. He scored the first and last goals in a 5-0 win at Anfield. Robinson scored his first League goals when he bagged a hat trick against West Ham United in October 1983 at Upton Park.

In that 1983/84 season Robinson made a total of 42 appearances in all competitions. He scored a total of 12 goals. His appearances and goals contributed to and amazing achievement by Liverpool that season as the Merseyside club claimed a treble of the First Division title, the League Cup, and the European Cup.

During the following season Robinson found it very difficult to break into the Liverpool first team. He made just ten appearances throughout the 1984/85 season. Michael Robinson made his last appearance for Liverpool on 31 October 1984 against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the third round of the League Cup.

Michael Robinson – Ireland Career

Michael Robinson, who qualified to play for Ireland via the Granny Rule, made his international debut on 28 October 1980 against France. It was a 1982 World Cup qualifier at the Parc des Princes in Paris and Ireland lost 2-0. Robinson scored the first of his four goals in the same qualification campaign in a 6-0 win over Cyprus at Lansdowne Road (now Aviva Stadium). He scored the fourth goal to add to goals from Gerry Daly (2), Tony Grealish, Frank Stapleton, and Chris Hughton.

He was not a prolific goal scorer for Ireland but nevertheless Irish manager Eoin Hand retained faith with Robinson. However once Jack Charlton took charge of Ireland the player made just two more appearances for the national team.

Michael Robinson played his last match for Ireland against the former Czechoslovakia in May 1986. It was the final of the a mini-tournament in Iceland and Ireland won it’s first and only international tournament.

Michael Robinson now lives in Spain and has carved out a successful TV career as a football pundit as well as other sports-related broadcasting.

Michael Robinson – Liverpool & Republic of Ireland Statistics

michael-robinson Michael Robinson was born on
12 July 1958 in Leicester, England
Playing Position
Forward
Joined Liverpool
1 August 1983
Liverpool Debut
20 August 1983
Last Appearance for Liverpool
31 October 1984
Left Liverpool
27 December 1984
No. of Games Played for Liverpool
52
Goals scored for Liverpool
13
Honours Won by Michael Robinson with Liverpool
First Division 1984; European Cup 1984; League Cup 1984
Other Clubs
Preston N E, Manchester City; Brighton & Hove Albion; QPR; Osasuna
Republic of Ireland Caps
24
Goals scored for Ireland
4

 

Liverpool FC History – Liverpool Irish Players – Liverpool Supporters Clubs
John Aldridge – Phil Babb – Jim Beglin – Willie Donnelly – Sam English – Steve Finnan – David Hannah
Steve Heighway – William Hood – Ray Houghton – Robbie Keane – Mark Kennedy – Billy Lacey
Mark Lawrenson – Jason McAteer – Ernest McCappin – Billy McDevitt – David McMullan – Billy Millar
Brian Mooney – Richie Partridge – Darren Potter – Michael Robinson – Elisha Scott – Kevin Sheedy
Sammy Smyth – Steve Staunton – Ronnie Whelan

 

Manchester United History – Manchester United Irish Players – Man Utd Irish Supporters Clubs
Glasgow Celtic History – Celtic’s Irish Players

 

Irish Footballers
Liam Brady – Damien Duff – Eamon Dunphy – Niall Quinn