Vicky McClure was among the mourners at John Robertson’s funeral on Friday as a crowd of football’s greats celebrated the life of the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend following his death on Christmas Day.
Robertson died at the age of 72 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is widely considered to be Forest’s greatest-ever player after playing an integral part in their European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
Roy Keane, Stuart Pearce, Martin O’Neill, Sean Dyche, Eddie Gray, John McGovern, Nicholas Randall and Garry Birtles were all among those pictured arriving at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottinghamshire.
Line of Duty star Vicky’s husband Jonny Owen is a Forest fan who made a film about Forest’s glory years and became good friends with Robertson.
Robertson set up Trevor Francis to score the winner against Malmo in the 1979 European Cup final before becoming the goalscoring hero himself a year later against Hamburg.
The winger also picked up 28 caps for Scotland and spent a couple of years at Derby County in a career which spanned 627 games.
Vicky McClure was among the mourners for John Robertson at his funeral on Friday
Roy Keane is pictured arriving at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottinghamshire
Robertson is pictured lifting the European Cup for Nottingham Forest in Munich in 1979
Forest said in a statement last month: ‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson.
‘A true great of our Club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled talent, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten.
‘Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Robbo… our greatest.’
Robertson made his debut for the Midlands outfit in October 1970 and made 502 appearances in a 13-year stint at the club. He then dropped down into the Second and Third Division with Derby County for a couple of years before returning to end his career at Forest in the top flight in 1985-86.
With Scotland, he is remembered for scoring the winning penalty as they beat England 1-0 at Wembley in 1981 to win the British Home Championship.
He also scored against New Zealand in the 1982 World Cup.
Clough once described him as a ‘Picasso of our game,’ adding: ‘Give him a yard of grass and he was an artist.’
After retiring, he was Martin O’Neill’s assistant manager at Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa.
Stuart Pearce named Robertson as the greatest player in Nottingham Forest’s history
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was among those paying tribute to his former assistant coach
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche said of Robertson: ‘What a guy and legendary player’
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray is pictured on the phone as he arrived at the crematorium
In 2015, a poll by the Nottingham Post revealed him to be the fans’ all-time favourite player.
The Scottish national team posted upon his death: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of John Robertson, following his passing today.’
Celtic added: ‘Celtic Football Club is sad to learn of the passing of our former assistant manager, John Robertson. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family today at such a difficult time for them all.’
Journalist Henry Winter wrote: ‘John Robertson made the ball dance. He filled Forest fans with joy and filled opposing full-backs with fear and he did it his way. He entertained and delivered. Two-time European champion. Great player, great character. Thoughts with John’s family, friends and team-mates. RIP.’
One fan called on the club to honour Robertson by renaming the Bridgford Stand after him.
Former Forest star Stan Collymore wrote a lengthy and emotional tribute which read: ‘An incredibly heavy heart having been told of the passing of John Robertson, Forest’s greatest ever player, my coach at Leicester and one of the loveliest, kindest hearted humans I’ve met.
‘As a kid he was a hero on Star Soccer with his beguiling wing play, trademark shoulder drop, go past the fullback and cross. When I finally got to Forest I wore white tape under my shinpads in homage to him.
‘At Leicester with Martin O’Neill he knew of my issues and problems and instead like many, who mocked them, he put a literal arm around me, had words of empathy and kindness and genuinely gave me support. The fact that the lads at Leicester loved him so much was a joy to see, a living legend getting a lot of love from a hard nosed, experienced dressing room.
John McGovern was a former team-mate and friend of Robertson before his death
Nottingham Forest chairman Nicholas Randall said the club had lost their ‘greatest player’
Garry Birtles, who called Robertson an ‘absolute genius’, is seen arriving at the crematorium
‘When I retired and started doing radio, I’d often be at Villa Park, the radio point being near the tunnel. More than once I’d see a plume of ciggy smoke coming from the tunnel an hour after the end of a game, Robbo would poke his head around the corner and say “I’m listening! I can f***** hear you from here!”.
‘Last time I saw him was at the World Famous City Ground where we sat together in a box watching the Trickies. He regaled everyone with great stories, humour and that something extra that he, and another great man dearly missed, Trevor Francis, had.
‘A warmth that years of the gnarly industry that is pro football never dimmed nor affected. He was just “Robbo”, a giant of my childhood, a giant of a club we both were lucky enough to represent, but a good man, just a b****y good man.
‘Sending all my love to Robbo’s family and friends, to everyone at Forest and those who were lucky enough to spend time with him.
‘Last year it was Gary Shaw, this year Robbo, the footballing Gods haven’t been so kind in recent years. Robbo, you’ll be sorely missed, thank you for your inspiration as a player, your support as a coach and lasting legacy as a lovely human being. Rest in peace, Robbo.’