The Times - UK (2022-02-03)

the times | Thursday February 3 2022 53

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In explaining the success of top
football clubs, the focus is nearly
always on the players and their
managers. Far less attention is
paid to those ensuring the
successful running of the club
behind the scenes.
That was how Peter Robinson
liked it. In his 35 years at Liver-
pool Football Club, retiring as
chief executive in 2000, he
never sought the limelight. Yet
anyone with inside knowledge
of the success the club enjoyed
during his time there — 29 tro-
phies, including 12 league titles
and four European Cups —
spoke of Robinson’s vital role.
Working closely with John
Smith as chairman and a series
of managers including Bill
Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny
Dalglish, Robinson sustained
what became known as “the
Liverpool way” — an approach
to administration that was wide-
ly admired. Financial prudence
was always maintained and for
many years the club was debt-
free, Robinson carefully balan-
cing income and expenditure.
There was also great continu-
ity and trust among the staff.
After Shankly’s departure in
1974 many expected Liverpool
to bring in a well-known name
from outside, such as the out-
spoken Brian Clough. Instead,
Robinson and Smith opted for a
relatively unknown and self-
effacing figure from Shankly’s
“boot room” at Anfield, Bob
Paisley, who went on to achieve
huge success.
Robinson and Smith were
famed for their ability to pull off
coups in the transfer market,
signing players including Kevin
Keegan, Dalglish, Graeme
Souness and John Barnes,
who would all become legends
at the club.
Robinson recalled seizing the
moment to recruit Dalglish in
1977 as a replacement for the
departing Keegan He received a
tip-off about Dalglish’s availabil-
ity from a journalist at a cricket
match. After a swift phone call
to Paisley and a trusted contact
at Dalglish’s club, Celtic, the deal
was done.
While Dalglish was still play-
ing for Liverpool, Robinson
spotted his potential as a man-
ager. Dalglish’s appointment
came in the aftermath of the
Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985,
one of two fateful moments in
Liverpool’s history when Robin-

period working at Brighton & Hove Albion. Liverpool’s atmos- phere was at that time far from the calm efficiency he would help to foster. The club’s previ- ous secretary had been over- come by stress and killed him- self. Before long, however, Rob- inson was part of the close-knit team of administrators and foot- balling staff who would bring Liverpool such an extraordinary period of success. As a shrewd and well- informed observer of the football world, Robinson knew that Liv- erpool’s dominance of English football was far from guaranteed. Of the club’s great rivals, Man- chester United, he once re- marked that “if that lot down the East Lancs Road ever get their act together” they would be a threat. Sure enough United, under Alex Ferguson, began a period of dominance in the 1990s while Liverpool’s accumulation of trophies came to an end. The whole business of football was also changing with the advent of the Premier League in 1992. Robinson had been forward-looking in some ways, negotiating Liverpool’s first shirt sponsorship deal with Hitachi and identifying the growing importance of TV rights deals. He saw that other clubs were benefiting from larger stadiums and at one point controversially suggested that Liverpool should build and share a ground with their neigh- bours Everton. As the sums swirling around football became vast, the old world of more stable ownership, avoidance of debt and direct negotiations with players was disappearing rapidly by the time Robinson retired as chief executive in 2000. Away from the club, he found more time for big band music and watching cricket. He looked on anxiously as Liverpool strug- gled to replicate the success of the Seventies and Eighties. Yet in recent years he was delighted to see Liverpool win the Premier League and the European Champions League, even if the prolonged dominance enjoyed when he was such a key figure seemed unlikely to return.

Peter Robinson, football administrator, was born in July

He died on January 19,
2022, aged 86

son’s human qualities were much in evidence. When Liver- pool reached the final of the European Cup that year, the match against Juventus was al-

located to the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Robinson travelled there in advance to check the facilities and immediately raised concerns with the European gov- erning body, Uefa, about the poor condition of the stadium and the dangers of a lack of segregation between rival fans. Plans were not changed before the match, Liverpool fans surged towards Juventus supporters, a stadium wall collapsed and 39 people, mostly Juventus fans, were killed. Robinson believed some of the violent fans wearing Liverpool colours were not genuine supporters, but the events were harmful to the club’s reputation and it led to all English clubs being banned from European competitions for five seasons.

Robinson’s calm, empathetic approach helped the club to rebuild. However, another horror story for Liverpool un- folded at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in April 1989 at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Again, Robinson had ex- pressed concerns beforehand about the safety of the venue. The Football Association re- fused his urgent requests to allo- cate more space to Liverpool fans or switch the match to another stadium. The decision by the police to allow large num- bers to enter the Leppings Lane stand would result in the deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters, including 94 crushed to death on the day. In the traumatic aftermath, Robinson’s quietly im- pressive contribution was vital. He was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, in 1935. After leaving school he served an apprentice- ship in football administration working as an office boy at Stockport County, as well as taking jobs at Scunthorpe and Crewe Alexandra, where he was club secretary. By then he was married, to Dorothy, and they had a daughter, Tracy, who leads a private life. Robinson was recruited by Liverpool in 1965 after a brief

Robinson, left, with John Smith and manager Bob Paisley in 1976

Watching cricket, he

received a tip-off

that Kenny Dalglish

was available

GIVE and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6.38 (NRSV) Bible verses are provided by the Bible Society

Births FAGGIONATO on 4th January 2022 to Leonora (née Gummer) and Thomas, a son, Giles Lorenzo Octavian, brother to Celeste. HERBERT on 12th January 2022 to Lizzie (née Scott) and Ed, a son, Robin Cameron Sladen, brother to Johnny. WARD on 16th January 2022 to Clare (née Radcliffe) and Charles, twins, Isla Frances and Olivia Sarah.

Deaths CORLETT Gerald Lingham on 21st January 2022, aged 96. Much-loved husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered in the Liverpool business community for his leadership, integrity and wise counsel. Alzheimer’s did its worst in the latter years but he remained a true gentleman to the end. Private cremation. Memorial service at St Bridget’s, West Kirby, on 23rd February at 1.30pm. Donations if desired to the RNLI. Inquiries to Charles Stephens Funeral Directors, Heswall. GIBBS Jeremy Herbert died in Portugal on 30th January 2022, aged 86. Adored husband of Alison for 63 years. Devoted father of Belinda, Camilla, Lucinda and Arabella. Proud grandfather of Helen, James, Alice, Georgina, Rebecca, Oliver and Daisy. Private cremation in Portugal on Friday 4th February at 4pm. Raise a glass in his memory. HARDING Richard John passed away peacefully on 20th January 2022, aged 77. Much-loved father of Annabel and Andrew, brother of Wendy, grandfather of Yasmin and uncle of Joanna and Caroline; Richard will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends. A private cremation will be followed by a service to celebrate Richard’s life on 17th February 2022 at 3pm at St Peter’s Church, Swettenham CW12 2LF. Friends and colleagues past and present are welcome to attend and cheerful attire is encouraged. Family flowers only but donations, if desired, can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Inquiries to Alan Finneron Funeral Directors, tel: 01260 277622. PEDDIE Donald John on 27th January

Peacefully at home, with his ladies by
his side, Donald, beloved husband of
Marjorie and much-loved dad of Margaret,
Alexandra and Victoria. Formerly of Y-ARD
and BAE Systems. Private committal.
Service of thanksgiving at Strathblane
Parish Church on Monday 7th February at
11am. No flowers. Donations in aid of
Macmillan Cancer Support.
ROBINS David William (from Bolney) died
peacefully on 19th January 2022, aged 88.
ROBINSON Michael Silvan died
Devoted husband of June, much-loved
father of Ian, George, David, Caroline and
Jane and grandfather to Rosie, Edward,
Harry and Kitty. Funeral to be held at 2pm
on Friday 18th February 2022 at Saint
Winifred’s Church, Branscombe, Devon.
Donations if desired to Parkinson’s UK
(via http://www.potburys-funerals.co.uk)..) A
memorial service will take place in London
later this year.
WALLACE Wynyard Roland David died
Adored husband of Julia, beloved father of
Roland, Anna and Duncan, proud and
loving grandfather of Victoria, Joe, Iola and
Celeste. Family cremation. Thanksgiving
service to be arranged later.

Thanksgiving Services ABERDEEN Alexander George Gordon, 7th Marquess of Aberdeen & Temair, DL, a Service of Thanksgiving will be held at House of Formartine, Methlick, Aberdeenshire, AB41 7EQ on 25th April 2022 at midday. Please let us know by 20th March if you are able to attend, as this will assist with our arrangements: [email protected]

In Memoriam - Private GIBBS A service of thanksgiving for the life of David A S Gibbs will be held at St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, London SW3 on Thursday 19th May 2022 at 2.30pm.

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Peter Robinson

Long-serving chief executive of Liverpool Football Club and a key figure behind

the scenes during their dominance of English football in the Seventies and Eighties

ANL/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Windsor Castle 2nd February, 2022 The Princess Royal, on behalf of The Queen, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle this morning.

Clarence House 2nd February, 2022 The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall this morning visited Sheppey Matters, Sheppey Healthy Living Centre, Royal Road, Sheerness, and were received by Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Kent (the Lady Colgrain). The Prince of Wales this afternoon visited Elmley National Nature Reserve, Elmley, Minster on Sea, Isle of Sheppey, and was received by Mr Philip Merricks (Deputy Lieutenant of Kent). His Royal Highness, Patron, the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, afterwards visited the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Main Gate Road, Chatham. The Prince of Wales subsequently visited Copper Rivet Distillery, Pump House no.5, Chatham Dockyard, Leviathan Way, Chatham. The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, this afternoon visited Battersea Brands Hatch, Crowhurst Lane, Ash, and was received by the Lord Sackville (Deputy Lieutenant of Kent). Her Royal Highness later visited Guildhall Museum, 17 High Street, Rochester, and was received by Wing Commander Peter Gilbert (Deputy Lieutenant of Kent). The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, afterwards visited Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Limited, Rochester Airport, Maidstone Road, Chatham.

Kensington Palace 2nd February, 2022 The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron, Rugby Football Union, this morning attended a rugby training session at Twickenham Stadium, Middlesex. Her Royal Highness, Patron, Rugby Football League, this afternoon held a Meeting via telephone with Mr Ralph Rimmer (Chief Executive Officer) and Mr Jon Dutton (Chief Executive Officer of the Rugby League World Cup).

St James’s Palace 2nd February, 2022 The Countess of Wessex this morning arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, from France. Mr Alexander Stonor was in attendance.

Court Circular

The Times - UK (2022-02-03)

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