Paul Robinson - Fans memories of a Leeds United goalkeeper and goalscorer
Paul Robinson may have Leeds United's last line of defence during his seven seasons with the club but for one night, under the Elland Road floodlights, ended up on the team's front line of attack.
His glancing header deep into stoppage time of a second round Carling Cup clash against Swindon Town in September 2003 left himself stunned, let alone his teammates, the crowd and opposition. Having done the hard part, he then proved the coolest customer in the ground again by getting enough of a touch on Andy Gurney's decisive penalty to send Peter Reid's side through.
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Hide AdThat Roy of the Rovers game to remember was one of 119 appearances he made for Leeds United - 95 of which were - in the Premier League during his seven-year spell at the club.
He had already won the FA Youth Cup with Leeds United before he made his first team debut against Chelsea in October 1998, a game in which he kept a clean sheet.
His appearances for the Whites were at first sporadic, punctuated with an impressive display in Champions League match against Barcelona at Elland Road.
He became Leeds United's number one goalkeeper after Nigel Martyn was dropped by Terry Venables for requesting a break from pre-season training. Robinson went on to play all 38 games of the 2002/03 season and rounded it off by being voted Player of the Year by the supporters' club.
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Hide AdYour YEP has asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of a goalkeeper who was capped 41 times by England.
Responses included:
Adie Moore - "Sat there watching us struggle, we win a last minute corner, Robbo steps up, leaps and heads equaliser. Always remember Roque Junior scoring pen in shoot out and kicks advertisement hoarding and nearly missing."
Lucy (@Lucy_LUFC) - "Has to be the Swindon flying header doesn’t it. I normally go with my Dad to matches but he was away on his honeymoon on that night and so I had to go without him. I love rubbing it in that he missed such an event - absolute scenes when that went in, truly unforgettable."
Mark Conway - "Definitely Swindon goal. Great night, great atmosphere."
Steven Pogue - "Barca at home. Unreal performance."
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Hide AdChris Tiffer - "It’s got to be the goal against Swindon Town - my son was five at the time and we were right at the back of the West Stand. I remember him being stood on his seat and going mad when he scored. Then not getting home until midnight and having to try and explain to his school why he couldn’t go in the following morning!"
Mark Pickering - "Champions League game at home against Barcelona. Rivaldo headed a cross Pele-style and Robinson saved it one handed. I promise you I have never seen a better save in my life watching Leeds live. I was sat in seat NN46 right on the right hand side post as high as the crossbar."
John Nee - "The game Paul came up for a corner and would you believe it he scores with a header against Swindon Town. What a game that was."
Paul Moorey - "Swindon game scored and saved two penalties to put us through to next round. Still loves Leeds!"
Dave Bebb - "Top goalkeeper and a really nice guy."
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Hide AdTom Milner - "Either game against Barcelona at home when he was unlucky to concede last minute or the Swindon game. Last minute header in front off the Kop."
Wendy Longley - "Scoring against Swindon. The Kop went mad."
Chris Martin (@c_martin) - "Will always remember him scoring a last minute header against Swindon in the league cup to send us to extra time."
Kyle (@KyleIOWromans) - "Milan. San Siro. He’s forgotten his drinks bottle/towel, came out and got roars of ‘England’s No. 1’ and turned to crowd and said ‘who me?! Nooo’. Then got the team out for the lads."
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Hide AdPaul Blakemore - "Barcelona at home in the Champions League. He was immense that night making world class save after save. Anyone that took Nigel Martyn's shirt was some player."
Gjanni AliHosty (@TestHostyrone) - "Will always remember when he came back for Blackburn in pre-season and we sang 'England's number 1' and he turned around and showed the number 6."
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