TRIBUTES TO BRIAN ROBINSON

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton led the tributes to Brian Robinson, a wholehearted volunteer with the club, who sadly died a couple of weeks ago.

Mr Robinson served the Colliers as secretary and a committee member as well as being a supporter for many years. Due to the current restrictions with coronavirus, a private cremation was held for Brian at Blyth Crematorium last Thursday but it is hoped that a celebration of Brian’s life will take place in the future.

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton said: “I was absolutely gutted to hear of the loss of Brian. From the moment I remember first being in and around the club in the 90s, Brian was integrally involved in everything that went on for a number of years. As a lifelong supporter, a longtime committee member and secretary I can only pay tribute to the countless hours he dedicated to the club in various roles. The only reason clubs like ours exist is because of people like Brian, he is a huge loss as a committed volunteer but ultimately as a friend to us all. Non league clubs are tight knit due to the small numbers of people involved and Ashington is no different, we all feel the loss. My own as well as the clubs condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”

Alf Marchetti, a supporter and former committee member with Ashington FC was a pallbearer at Brian’s funeral last week and he reflected on the loss of a close and lifelong friend. He said: “I first met up with Brian at Ashington High School in 1973 and we hit it off in what was to be an unbreakable friendship until his death. We travelled all over the world together and shared the same hobbies – like our love of Ashington FC where Brian served as secretary whilst I was on the committee until the club left Portland Park. Brian was highly regarded by his colleagues at Ashington Hospital and then Wansbeck General Hospital. He was a loyal and trustworthy friend – we had many happy memories – and he will be very sadly missed.”

Photos:  Brian and the Ashington squad pictured in 1999 after winning the Craven Cup – with Brian on the extreme left in the back row.