Founded 1865

John Neilson Robertson

NAT: Scotland

POS: Left Wing Midfield

Previous Clubs:

Joined Forest: 1963 and 1985

Signing fee: Trainee

Left Forest: 1982 to Derby County fee paid after tribunal: 1986 to

When Clough arrived at Forest in 1975, John Robertson was dossing around in the reserves an overweight and uninterested player. The manager Allan Brown had told Robertson that he could leave the club but he chose to stay with the reserves and that was where Clough found this hidden treasure. Peter Taylor immediately recognised the skill that Robbo possessed and ordered him to diet and train harder during a man to man chat, almost instantly the low self esteem had disappeared and Clough and Taylor transformed Robbo into a midfield shuffler who was about to become a legend. Because Robbo played for the Reds he never reached the level of acclaim that his god given talent demanded. If he played for a Man United or a Liverpool in this day and age he would be known by all, but for the Forest fans who saw him week in week out there is no denying his legendary status. Within 3 years Robertson was in the Scotland 1978 World Cup squad and in 1980 had just banged in the edge of the box shot that retained the European Cup for Forest against Hamburg, he also famously set up the goal that Francis scored in the 79 Final

Voted as the greatest Forest player of all time in a 2005 poll Robbo controlled the left wing like a wizard and his skill on the ball will forever be remembered by all those that were lucky enough to witness it live. Forever crucified by Clough over his scruffy appearance and physical condition the Forest number eleven Robertson always silenced the gaffer with his magical displays on the field of play. He would recieve the ball with a simple pass from John Mcgovern and when it would appear that there was no room for a cross Robbo would shuffle about and magically create a yard then he'd ping the ball to Woodcock or Birtles and the move would more often than not create a goal.

Robbo became the Forest penalty taker after Terry Curran was injured in October 1976 and his first penalty conversion was in a 4-2 win over Bristol City the same year. He also scored the penalty in the 1978 League Cup Final against Liverpool at Old Trafford beating Ray Clemence to his right. In the 1977-1978 campaign Robertson played in all 42 League games and 15 cup games scoring 18 goals

Robbo was also the catalyst between the row that severed Clough and Taylor's friendship after Taylor took Robbo to Derby County in controversial style. Robertson also went on to win 28 caps for Scotland. After retiring from playing he became assistant coach to his old Forest team mate Martin O Neill at Grantham Town, Wycombe, Leicester City, Celtic and now Aston Villa.