Cup-winning Toon siblings are honoured
NEWCASTLE United’s FA Cup-winning brothers – George and Ted Robledo – have been honoured at the house they once lived in on Tyneside.
In front of George’s only child, Elizabeth, and several other guests including Magpies legend Bob Moncur, a blue plaque was unveiled at the home in Fenham.
The event was originally meant to take place before the outbreak of Covid-19 but after much delay, finally happened 70 years to the day of Newcastle’s FA Cup win over Arsenal in 1952. Both George and Ted played in that game with the former scoring the only goal of the final.
The coincidence of the unveiling happening on the anniversary of the victory at Wembley is not lost on Elizabeth, who travelled from the brothers’ native Chile for the ceremony.
She told The Chronicle: “I am a very positive person. I was very frustrated with the world’s situation with Covid-19 but the two years waiting [to unveil it] have paid off enormously.,
“This wouldn’t have happened two years ago – it was meant to be. Third time lucky! Here I am. I had everything ready, my bags have been packed for three years! I’ve finally made it.
“It means absolutely everything – I am so honoured that after 70 years they can still be remembered here. Newcastle United meant everything to my father, my family and my uncle Ted too.
“It’s a very special day, a very emotional one, and a very unique day. Seventy years to the day of my father’s FA Cup Final goal against Arsenal, six minutes remaining... it’s a blessing to be here.”
The brothers played for Newcastle between 1949 and 1953, with George forming a formidable partnership with Jackie Milburn. The idea for the plaque came from Chris Brook, a teacher from South Yorkshire.
Brook organises a primary school football tournament called the Totti Cup and upon researching past winners stumbled across the Robledo brothers, who had moved to Yorkshire as children.
“George had scored four goals one year, and six the next – so I researched his name to see if he had made it as a footballer and clearly he did. That Google result has led to this,” said Chris.
The family were unaware of the significance of the house and welcomed such a move to honour the brothers. On the day of the unveiling, the street was packed with people eager to see the plaque.
Guests included the historian of the brothers’ Chilean side Colo-colo, Pavel Pina, who travelled from Santiago. He said: “This is important in England but Chile too. “The brothers were really good players – George was top scorer and we won a championship with him but also for what they mean to Chilean football. George revolutionised football in Chile.
“We are really happy to be able to share this moment with people from Newcastle.”
The Chilean government also sent a diplomat from its embassy in London. Fransisco Tello described the brothers as ‘two of the biggest sportsmen’ in Chilean history. He added: “They were great ambassadors for Chile.”
The last captain to lift a trophy for Newcastle, Bob Moncur, was also on hand to represent the club. When asked about the importance of honouring George and Ted, he said: “It’s immensely important, and it’s right and proper that it should happen.”
DAUGHTER’S PRIDE AS BLUE PLAQUE UNVEILED FOR ROBLEDOS