The football world, particularly in England and Scotland, is in a state of mourning following the confirmation of the death of Nottingham Forest's greatest ever player, John Robertson. The legendary winger passed away at the age of 72 on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
A Club and Family in Mourning
The Premier League club announced the devastating news in an emotional official statement, paying tribute to the double European Cup winner. The statement hailed Robertson's unrivalled talent, humility, and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest, declaring these qualities would never be forgotten.
In a separate confirmation, the family shared that John Robertson, affectionately known as 'Robbo', died peacefully on Christmas morning with his wife, Sharyl, and family by his side. They expressed that while he was a hero to many fans, to them he was a kind, loving, witty, and loyal family man. The family found solace in the fact that his struggles were over and that he was reunited with his daughter, Jessica.
The Legacy of a Forest Icon
John Robertson's career is the stuff of legend at the City Ground. He was instrumental in the club's golden era under Brian Clough, helping them win the First Division title, two European Cups, and two League Cups. His most iconic moments came on the continental stage.
In the 1979 European Cup final against Malmö, Robertson provided the crucial assist for Trevor Francis's winning goal. A year later, he wrote his name permanently into Forest folklore by scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Hamburg to retain the European crown.
On the international stage, Robertson earned 28 caps for Scotland, scoring 8 goals. One of his standout moments for his country came against New Zealand at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. After hanging up his boots, he moved into management, taking the helm at clubs including Celtic, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Norwich City, and Wycombe Wanderers.
Football World Pays Tribute
The news of Robertson's passing has prompted an outpouring of respect and sadness from across the football community. European football's governing body, UEFA, expressed its sorrow, specifically noting his decisive contributions in the two European Cup finals.
Other tributes flooded in on social media, with one fan describing him as "the most underrated British winger of all time," comparing his style to a mix of modern stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Jack Grealish, and Robert Pires. These sentiments underscore why he was consistently voted as Nottingham Forest's favourite player of all time by the supporters whose hearts he captured during the club's most glorious period.
The loss of John Robertson marks the end of an era for Nottingham Forest and Scottish football, leaving behind a legacy of skill, humility, and historic achievements that will be celebrated for generations.
