Matt Healey continues the series.
The next former player to be featured is Colin Robinson. Born in Birmingham on the 15th May 1960. Robinson was one of a number of non league players scouted by top midlands scout Ron Jukes at Shrewsbury Town.
Mile Oak Rovers were a West Midlands non league team and Robinson started his career there. Jukes would recommended the regular “non league gem” to Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner, and Robinson signed for the Shrews in the early 1980’s.
Leaving Gay Meadow in 1988 to join Birmingham City. Robinson then arrived at Edgar Street in the summer of 1989 for a fee of £10,000.
(c) MH Hereford United Archive
Ian Bowyer bought Colin to Edgar Street Robinson told us “I got on well with Ian, he was demanding, and kept a tight ship, training was vigorous and hard, but served us well”
Robinson’s Hereford career started well, and this included a brace in a 3-0 win against Maidstone United on the 2nd September 1989.
Hereford started the season in the Play off picture by the end of September, but the lack of a striking partner for Robinson was obvious. Darren Peacock would switch from defence to attack to help out, but the team struggled for goals.
The 1989/1990 season saw Hereford United reach the 4th round of the FA Cup and a home game with Manchester United.
On the way to that the Bulls dispatched Farnborough, Merthyr Tydfil, and Walsall. Robinson scored the opening goal in the 2nd round Merthyr tie.
On the 28th January 1990 Hereford United faced one of the biggest football teams in the world. Sir Alex Ferguson was under huge pressure as Manchester United manager, a bad run of results had left supporters calling for his dismissal.
Midway through the 2nd half a “Phantom Whistler” distracted the Manchester United defence who assume the referee had blown for an infringement, the game continued and Robinson was quick to pounce, but the visiting goalkeeper, Scottish international Jim Leighton made a fantastic double save from Robinson. A late Clayton Blackmore gave the reds the 1-0 win.
Manchester United would then win the FA Cup defeating Crystal Palace, the following year winning the Cup Winners Cup against Barcelona, and then the Premier League title the following season. Ferguson then would go on to become the most successful British manager of all time.
Hereford United 1989-1990
FA Cup scorers. Left to Right – Mark A Jones, Mark Jones, Paul Tester,Colin Robinson, Mel Pejic, Darren Peacock
(C) MH Hereford United Archive
Despite being out of the FA Cup and struggling for consistency in the league. Hereford United though were doing well in the Welsh Cup, and Robinson had profitable goalscoring record in the competition. A goal at Kidderminster Harriers in the 4th round, two against Bangor City in the Quarter Final (one in the original tie which ended 1-1 at Farrar Road, and one in the replay where Hereford won 4-0)
Plus adding to his tally as Robinson also scored against Cardiff City in the 2nd leg of the Semi Final. In fact Robinson’s goal in a 3-1 loss at Edgar Street was enough to secure a passage to the final. Hereford had won 3-0 at Ninian Park in the 1st leg, so won the tie 4-3 on aggregate.
It was off to the Cardiff Arms Park on 13th May 1990 for the Welsh Cup Final “It was a special day, a great occasion, we took a great deal of fans, great atmosphere”
Robinson opened the scoring midway through the 1st half. Wrexham equalised, but Ian Benbow secured a 2-1 victory “It was great to win”
Ian Bowyer departed in the summer of 1990, and Colin Addison took over. Addison had been managing abroad prior to his return to Edgar Street “Colin was a bit more tactical than Ian (Bowyer) he worked with some fantastic players during his career, and we knew what he expected”.
(c) MH Hereford United Archive
Robinson’s 2nd season was less profitable. Addison had bought in fellow strikers Stewart Phillips, Simon Brain and Peter Heritage. Subsequently Robinson’s first team chances were limited.
He left Edgar Street in 1991 and signed for Non League Worcester City in the Beazer Homes League. “I went on to work for Toyota as a Sales Manager, there was life after football, and I was able to play part time for a few more seasons, whilst combining a day job”
Robinson now lives in Shrewsbury “I see Paul Tester now and again, and speak to a lot of the lads on social media”
Colin Robinson and his wife Lynn – July 2020
