Playing position Years Team Name Neil Robinson Height 1.73 m | Current team Retired, 1990 1974-1979 Everton Role Footballer Position Defender, Midfielder | |
Date of birth (1957-04-20) 20 April 1957 (age 58) Place of birth Walton, Liverpool, England | ||
Neil Robinson (born 20 April 1957, Walton, Liverpool, Lancashire) is a former footballer. The youngest of a family of 7 children (6 boys, 1 girl), he played for Everton, Swansea City, Grimsby Town and Darlington.
Born just 100 yards away from Everton Football Club's ground, Goodison Park, in Spellow Lane, Walton Liverpool), Robinson began his football career as an apprentice professional at his beloved Everton FC in April 1973, age 16. He signed as a full-time professional for Everton one year later in April 1974.
He scored his only goal for Everton at Goodison park in the last game of the 1977–78 season beating Chelsea 6-0, the game which saw Bob Latchford score his 30th goal to win a £10,000 prize offered by a national newspaper for the first footballer to reach 30 goals in a single season.
Robinson became a vegetarian at age 13 in 1970 and in 1980, age 23, he became a vegan and is reportedly the first vegan footballer to have played professionally.
Robinson was the Grimsby Town Player of the Year for 1985–86 and is the youngest brother of Sir Ken Robinson, a world-renowned authority on creativity and innovation.
Personal life
Neil has been married to his wife Pauline (b. 15 July 1958) since 31 January 1978 and they have 3 children Neil (b. 18th Nov 1979), Alison (b. 7th Nov 1981) & Kathryn (b. 29 May 1984). Pauline has been a vegetarian since the day they were married, Alison & Kathyrn are lifelong vegetarians and have been vegan for the past 10 years.