Brian Robinson Tribute Game - 7 September
Sunday September 23rd At Easington Sports FC, Addison Road, Banbury - Kick Off 2.30. Lines & Lyner Select X1 v Kevin Brock’s Oxford United X1
Brian Robinson – celebrating the life and career of a local footballing legend! All too often in the modern era, you hear the terms, lack of commitment, apathy, poor attitude and bad timekeeping when discussing youngsters and indeed footballers!
With all this in mind, a shining beacon, is Mr Football himself, Brian Robinson, 80 years old this year, a gentleman who has dedicated himself to football for the past 65 years with a resounding commitment and attitude that is undoubtedly second to none.
Brian Robinson was born in 1932 in Halifax, West Yorkshire. He joined his local football club Halifax Town as an amateur in 1946 and remained with them until 1949, prior to being called up for his National Service. He was stationed at Bicester and promptly joined up with Bicester Town F C, a club he remained with for 20 years as firstly a player and then in a management role.
In 1977 he joined Chipping Norton FC as manager and enjoyed great success in his four seasons with them, winning the Hellenic Premier Division title and also The Oxfordshire Senior Cup. The early eighties saw Brian join up with his good friend Chris Perkins to manage the Oxfordshire u18’s youth team for a number of seasons.
It was the mid eighties that saw his 12 year partnership with successful football manager, Phil Lines, one of the early highlights being the winning of the Oxfordshire Senior cup with a very young Banbury United squad and the satisfaction of many of the players going on to excellent semi professional careers. The management team went on to win the Hellenic Premier championship with Brackley Town F C before a couple of exciting years with Buckingham Town F C , winning the Southern League championship in 1990/91 and losing the F A Vase ¼ final tie 1-0 against the eventual winners of the trophy, Guisley Town.
In the late 90’s Brian became assistant manager to former Oxford United Favourite Kevin Brock at Banbury United and made an immediate impact winning the Hellenic Premier league championship in their first season together and went on to enjoy a number of successful seasons in the Southern League.
In 2008 Kevin Brock took charge of Ardley United F C and Brian once again joined him, only just missing out on the league title last term.
65 years in football and still going strong, take your hat off to a man who has devoted himself to our wonderful national game and showed an example of true dedication to sport. Let us hope a warranted national accolade comes his way before Mr Football finally decides to “ hang up his boots”!
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