In Memoriam: David Robinson

It is with great sadness that Wigan Warriors learns of the passing of former player David Robinson.

Robinson was born on 1st August 1944 in Swinton and educated at Moorside Secondary Modern.

He began his Rugby League career at Folly Lane A.R.L and later progressed to the professional ranks when he signed for his hometown club, Swinton, in the early 1960s.

Robinson was tremendously fast, having the ability to organise and promote attacking plays from his second row or loosed forward position which brought him to the attention of representative selectors at both county and national levels.

Having played some six seasons at Swinton, Robinson was signed by Wigan for a then Club record fee of £10,000 in January 1970.

Robinson made his Wigan debut on 24th January 1970, playing second row at Central Park against Leeds in a league match in which Wigan lost by 23 points to 14. He earned the Wigan Heritage Number of 675.

Robinson went on to make 147 appearances for the Club, scoring 17 tries whilst playing at second row or loose forward.

During the early 1970s, he would form a Wigan back row alongside Bill Ashurst and Doug Laughton – a back row which would grace any era of Rugby League.

Unfortunately for Robinson, he joined Wigan at a time when trophies and success on the field were limited which remains a mystery to this day when you consider the talent available to coach Eric Ashton at the time.

Robinson actually won two honours with Wigan – the Lancashire League in 1969-70 and the Lancashire County Cup in 1973 (beating Salford 19-9 at Wilderspool, Warrington) which would remain the Club’s last major trophy until the 1983 John Player success, although he did play in the ill-fated 1970 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley v Castleford.

He represented Great Britain on 13 occasions and was part of the 1966 tour of Australia and New Zealand – playing in all five test matches as the Lions lost the series 2-1 to the Aussies. All three matches were closely contested with the consolation of beating New Zealand in both games.

Robinson also represented England twice and was capped for Lancashire on six occasions which epitomises his talent.

Robinson’s final game for Wigan was ironically against his hometown club Swinton in a First Round Premiership Trophy match at Central Park on 26th April 1975, Wigan edging the game by 19 points to 18.

On leaving Wigan, Robinson would return to Swinton in February 1976 in an attempt to help the Lions avoid the slide to the Second Division which sadly was unsuccessful and he retired from the game towards the end of season 1976-77.

Wigan Warriors send their condolences to David’s family and friends at this sad time.