Jack Robinson 1922-2015

First Team News and Views
1

The club has received the sad news of Jack’s death via his grandson in the communication reproduced below:

[i]"My name is Adam Richards and I am the grandson of Robert John Robinson
(Known as Jack Robinson) who was a player at your club and a 'Witton
Legend'as I have always been led to believe. It is with regret that
I'd like to inform the club that Jack passed away on Monday 3rd
August at the age of 93. I don't know if you could put a short piece
in one of your match programmes, or make an announcement to the club
as I am aware that some older supporters are very much aware of who he
was. I was also hoping to attend your first home game of the season as
I have never been, and although he had an earlier spell at Manchester
United and other teams after Witton, I know that your club was always
his home and his highlight of his footballing career.

Regards

Adam Richards." [/i]

I have responded to Adam as follows:

"Hi Adam

Very sad to hear of the passing away of your Grandad last week and please convey the club’s deepest sympathies to all his family and friends.

He is indeed right up there at Number 10 in fact of our post 1945 appearances list and I show below the entry I have of him in the players database.

I hadn’t realised what is actual name was as he was always known as Jack which certainly explains why I never had his actual birth record save to know he was born in Wrexham. I’d appreciate knowing his actual date of birth please if you would be so kind.

As you rightly assumed there will be a few Wittoners who will still remember him gracing our old Central Ground and I’ll ensure his sad death will be passed on to them and included in the Albion Review match programme.

We are in fact at home next Saturday (15th) playing Ossett Albion in our first league match of the new season. I’m certain that if you and your family would like to come along then they’ll really be made most welcome.

As well as the photo I use there are a number of pictures of him in team photos that I can cobble together and send them to you should you wish.

In addition when you do manage to get down then I’m sure you’ll enjoy a look around our museum and clubhouse. Please let me know if you are coming.

Bye for now and hope to see you soon

Phil Chadwick
Club Statistician & Life Vice=President
Witton Albion F.C,"

Robert John “JACK” ROBINSON - CENTRE HALF

BORN: Wrexham July 1922 DIED: 3/8/2015

DEBUT: 20/12/47 v Crewe Alexandra Reserves (a) FINALE: 30/4/55 v Stalybridge Celtic (a)

APPEARANCES - League 254 Cup 69 TOTAL = 323

GOALS - League 2 Cup 0 TOTAL = 2

FORMER CLUBS: Wrexham (Youth), Armed Forces, Manchester United (in 1942 1)

LATER CLUBS: Ffestiniog

I’m certain that if you do not remember the player personally then your parents/grandparents etc will have fond memories so maybe you can pass the news on.

2

I was lucky enough to see the great Witton team he was part of, I was only a nipper but the names Schofield, Cowden, Chew, Robinson, Fiddler, etc etc still live in my mind and memory.
WHS.

3

Well before my time but very sad news, another Witton legend sadly passing (323 appearances wow). Still find it hard to comprehend how these guys played football during and so shortly after the war. RIP Jack UTA

4

[quote=“WHS” post=59802]I was lucky enough to see the great Witton team he was part of, I was only a nipper but the names Schofield, Cowden, Chew, Robinson, Fiddler, etc etc still live in my mind and memory.
WHS.[/quote]

WHS was this the same side Mark Radcliffe (goalkeeper) was in, or was he a bit later? I knew Mark well and he used to tell me how good Frank Filddler was so it must be the same era or not long after?

5

Very sad to hear of the demise of another Witton legend . I never saw him play but older fans still talk of him now, sayiong what a great player he was…My deepest sympathies to all the family.

6

"Radcliffe, Schofield, Chew, Ashley, Robinson, Cowden, Dale, Fiddler sorry to say I cannot recall the other three but Chad will. Great team, won everything available during 3 or 4 great seasons.
WHS.

7

Thanks WHS. I was always told by many of the older generation Wittoners that this team was the greatest one the club has ever had.

8

Two of the other names missing from that great team - Eric Hyde & Henry Williams.

My dad used to talk to me about those days on a regular basis and during my time at Oakmere Rehabilitation Unit having physiotherapy, one of the other patients was the great goalkeeper Mark Radcliffe. He showed me his scrapbook with all those players and memories in.

9

[quote=“WHEELS” post=59841]Two of the other names missing from that great team - Eric Hyde & Henry Williams.

My dad used to talk to me about those days on a regular basis and during my time at Oakmere Rehabilitation Unit having physiotherapy one of the other patients was the great goalkeeper Mark Radcliffe. He showed me his scrapbook with all those players and memories in.[/quote]

Mark used to show me that very same scrapbook Wheels. In fact when Mark passed away a couple of years ago I brought several of the clippings down to WP that he had given me over the years, many of them being photos of the team and news clippings reporting on the many pieces of silverware they won during that era. My mate Mookie B has retained them and I’m happy for them to be passed on to Chad or Jack’s family should they wish to see them. When I think back now I do recall Mark saying that he always had a “wall” in front of him, clearly Jack was a big part of that.

10

An update after receiving further communication from his grandson and also the Wrexham Leader who carry notice of his death today.

Funeral Service at Pentrebychan Crematorium, on Tuesday, 18th August, at 2.30pm. Family flowers only please, but donations in lieu may be given for Dementia UK. Enquiries to Caldecott & Sons, Wrexham. Tel. 01978 261764.”

Adam should be at the match on Saturday so we can fittingly acknowledge Jack’s place in our great history. he is bringing a few of Jack’s mementoes with him and will also visit the museum etc

Witton were Cheshire County Champions 3 times (48/49, 49/50 & 53/54) Runners-Up in 50/51 and League & Cup double winners in 53/54 whilst Jack was virtually an ever present.

I’ve included an article on him in the Ossett Albion match’s Albion Review and also informed the Northwich Guardian accordingly.

Paul I was privileged to borrow Mark Radcliffe’s scrapbook many years back, certainly well before home computer days and so just have smudgy photocopies, so if you could let me have it then I can scan and retain them for posterity. see me on Sand we’ll let Adam view it then as well. Cheers Mate

11

Thank you for that CHAD.

Do you think it would be appropriate to post anything on the club website regarding our plans for Saturday and how we intend to honour the memory of a Witton great.

12

A few of the other names who played a fair few games alongside Jack in our Championship seasons, not previously mentioned:

48/49 Harold Bridges, Gordon Smith & Don Triner

49/50 Jack Bowden, Dennis Hill & Albert Johnson

53/54 Peter Greenwood, Ken Yearsley, Harry McCann, Jim Pennington, Harry Fowler, George Ashbrook, John Wainwright, Roly Lewis & Colin Barnes.

13

Hi Derek

Am waiting on a couple of confirmations so hopefully I can post something tomorrow evening.

14

That’s fine. I didn’t want to just go ahead and post something without speaking to someone who had more information.

15

Thanks Phil, I don’t have the scrap book itself just several news pieces out of it that Mark gave to me. Yox or myself will pass them on to you, I would be pleased for Jack’s family to see them and if they were kept in the club or museum somewhere in the future . Thanks mate and see you Sat.

16

Wonderful memories being on my Dad’s shoulders when they brought home the cups.
WHS.

17

I know a lot of you guys don’t go on our forum but would like to reproduce this post by Toddy Barlow incase anyone could help with this:

“I know he was an Albion player but I would just like to pass my condolences on to the family of Jack,he was one of the great’s. He passed away last week.My father knew Jack and held him in high regard,I barely remember him as he played in the 1950s,I must have watched him play when Albion played Vics.What I do have is two programme’s when Witton played Nelson in the F.A Cup,one on 25-11-1950 the gate that day was 7,607, Witton lost 1-2,the other one is when Witton played them again in the F.A.cup on 21-11-1953 the gate that day was 6,063 Witton won 4-1.
If anyone has any contact with Jack’s family and know’s if they would like photostat copies of them I would be very pleased to provide them.”

Please accept and pass on our condolences from all at 1874.

18

My sincere condolences to Jacks family. Quite simply my late dad was very friendly with Jack and he rated him the best centre half witton ever had. Apparently he was quite small but used to climb in the air to win headers. I think Keith higgins knew him quite well so no doubt Keith will be about Saturday to talk about him. I unfortunately am away on holiday but so sorry I missed Jack playing and sorry I won’t be about Saturday.

19

There is a very nice and complimentary posting on the Witton Albion Facebook page from Jack Robinson’s family for the way we honoured his memory last weekend. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how to post it onto the forum and website.