Former Liverpool striker dies from skin cancer aged 61
A Barwell-born striker, who played for Manchester City and Liverpool, has died from skin cancer at the age of 61.
The death of Michael Robinson, who was born in Barwell, was announced by his family on his Twitter account on April 28.
He had been suffering from a malignant melanoma, which he was diagnosed with in December 2018.
His family said in the statement on his Twitter: “With tremendous sadness we inform you of Michael’s death.
“It leaves us with a great emptiness, but also countless memories, full of the same love that you have shown him.
“We will be eternally grateful to you for making this man SO HAPPY, he never walked alone.
“Thank you.”
Robinson, won the league title and European Cup at Anfield in 1984 and won 24 caps for the Republic of Ireland during the course of his career.
Liverpool signed Robinson from Brighton, for whom he had just played in the FA Cup final, for £250,000 in the summer of 1983.
The forward went on to challenge Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish for a place in the Reds first-team, playing enough games to earn a title medal for the 1983/84 campaign.
He came on as a substitute for Dalglish in extra-time of the 1984 European Cup final against Roma in Rome, where the Reds went on to win on penalties to clinch their fourth European crown.
After moving on to QPR in search of more first-team football, he then moved to Spanish side Osasuna in January 1987 along with his former Liverpool teammate Sammy Lee.
Robinson settled in Spain after retiring from football in 1989.
After learning the language he became a successful commentator and media pundit on La Liga matches and Spanish national team games for a variety of television and radio stations.
The former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso tweeted his condolences, writing: “You’ll never walk alone Michael!!
“Rest in peace.”