Stewart Robson

Born in Billericay, Essex,[6][7] he was educated at Alleyn Court Prep School in Westcliff on Sea[8] and Brentwood School. Robson joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1978. He made his debut soon after his 17th birthday, on 5 December 1981 against West Ham United, and became a regular player in the Arsenal side under manager Terry Neill and his eventual successor Don Howe.[9][10][11]

Robson showed great promise as a young footballer, both in his versatility (although he usually played in midfield, he was equally adept in defence as full back or centre back) and his competitiveness; he was an enthusiastic runner and tackler. He was the Arsenal's 1985 Player of the Year, and made the England senior squad, but a series of injuries hampered his career – Robson had continual problems with his groin and hamstrings. He spent three months out injured in 1985–86.[9]

After the arrival of George Graham as manager in May 1986, Robson found himself frozen out of the Arsenal side, only playing five matches of the 1986–87 season, before losing his place to Steve Williams. Leaving in January 1987, he had played 186 matches for Arsenal, scoring 21 goals.[9]

He was sold to West Ham United in January 1987 for £700,000.[12] His time with West Ham was plagued with injuries, particularly to his pelvis. Manager John Lyall later revealed that Robson had been on the treatment table at Highbury when he had signed him and he was rarely fully fit for the Hammers.[13] His first West Ham game was on 24 January 1987 in a 3–1 away win at Coventry City.[12] He remained a regular in the Hammers' first team for two and a half years, and Player of the Year for 1988. However, lost his place after they were relegated in 1989, playing only eight league games in the following two years following a succession of injuries to his pelvic area. His last game was a 6–1 FA Cup defeat of Aldershot on 16 January 1991.[12]

In March 1991, Terry Butcher signed Robson for Coventry City on a free transfer.[12] He helped them stay in the First Division and become founder members of the FA Premier League in 1992–93. Robson went on to make 57 league appearances for the Sky Blues, but once again, injury ruined his spell at the club; he suffered a bad knee injury playing his old club Arsenal at the start of the 1993–94 season. In the summer of 1995, Robson announced his retirement citing a history of injuries; he had just spent the entire season sidelined due to injury.