James Wallington

NFFC, NCCC, Barmy Army.

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@JSTransferTime Excellent!

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@KXNGDXM_CXME I've blocked and muted your account and you still appear on my time line, please delete.

[Nick Miller @NickMiller79]

Most significant victory for Jesus* over a Tudor since Christianity in the 16th century.

*In the view of the Catholic church.

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

This is the only arrest from #NFFC v #Fenerbahçe for crimes against humanity.

[Rupert’s Rainbow 🌈 @rupertsrainbow]

Good morning 💜

Earlier this week we asked what you thought we should call Rupert’s new bear from Alder Hey 🧸

We had so many brilliant suggestions, thank you!

We’ve decided to go with Truper 💙
It’s an anagram of Rupert… and because he really is a little trooper 🌈

#rupertsrainbow #FebRUary

[Jonathan Pie @JonathanPieNews]

Terror in America.
https://t.co/3Z8EsYiDL3
https://t.co/7oUArMXGYJ

[Nottingham Forest @NFFC]

John Robertson defined an era and inspired generations at Nottingham Forest.

From European nights to domestic glory, his legacy will forever be cherished.

[Matt Forde @mattforde]

This is the best tribute to Robbo I’ve read.

He and Jonny had a special bond. They were like brothers.

If you want to understand why Robbo is so beloved, this explains it:

https://t.co/401XcMCT5x

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

John Robertson: A tribute. The Nottingham Forest legend, who has passed away aged 72, was a joyous, skilful winger who made kids fall in love with the game and reminded adults what the game was really about: beating an opponent with skill and delivering. Above all, Robertson made the game look easy and made it fun to watch.

Whatever the occasion. The Forest fans’ banner hanging from a fence at the Bernabeu at the 1980 European Cup final read simply: “Robbo Eats Hamburgers”. Forest’s opponents, Hamburg, boasted many talents, including Kevin Keegan, Felix Magath and also Manny Kaltz, the right wing-back who’d be up against the feared, two-footed winger “Robbo”.

Asked about the celebrated Kaltz on the eve of the final, Brian Clough replied, “We’ve got a little fat guy that will turn him inside out – a very talented, highly skilled, unbelievable outside-left.” Robertson needed only 20 minutes to turn Kaltz and waltz through, exchange passes with Garry Birtles, and score the final’s only goal.
Even a defender as good as Kaltz couldn’t handle Robertson.

The “Picasso of our game” Clough called Robertson. His colourful brushstrokes vivified the green canvas of match-day. His distinctive flourishes in possession helped define the previous European Cup final against Malmo in Munich. Robertson picked up the ball on the left touchline, and nudged it forward with his right, feinting to go inside, confusing Malmo’s right-back, Roland Andersson.

Robertson then drove for the line, catching out Andersson and also Robert Prytz, the midfielder racing back. At the last second, as the white of the goal-line loomed, Robertson lifted the ball across for a stooping Trevor Francis to head Forest to that 1979 victory.

Andersson had represented Sweden at the World Cup the previous year. Within four weeks of succumbing to Robertson, Kaltz was winning Euro 1980 with West Germany. These were experienced, elite defenders. The joy of John Robertson was not simply the effortless way he eluded defenders of their calibre but that he delivered in major moments. Nothing fazed him. He took pressure, as well as the ball, in his stride.

Robertson’s goal against Hamburg was one of 73 he scored in his career. The Scot delighted Forest fans with his trickery and the thrills he gave them but also because he brought trophies: those two European Cups, one League title, and two League Cups. It is no exaggeration to claim that if Robertson had been at a more fashionable club he’d have featured in European Footballer of the Year voting. He wasn’t even in the top 30 in 1979 (won by Keegan) or 1980 (won by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge). Kaltz came fourth and 10th. Robertson deserved some recognition, certainly in the top 10.

He may not have been the greatest Nottingham Forest player of all time – but he was in the top one. Apologies for the reworking of Clough’s famous assessment of himself but it applies well to Robertson, one of his favourite players. It brings humour and fact. It also reflects his close association with Clough, who believed in Robertson and helped lift him to great heights. A 2015 fans’ poll by the Nottingham Post confirmed his place as Forest's greatest ever player. Robertson finished ahead of second-placed Stuart Pearce, then Des Walker, John McGovern and Peter Shilton.

In the modern era where wingers are often considered a luxury not a staple, and all about speed as much as skill (and often inverted), it feels even more poignant to lament the sad passing of Robertson. He was two-footed for a start, so full-backs didn’t know which side he would go. He could go outside as Andersson learned to his cost in 1979 or come inside on his right, as Kaltz discovered painfully in 1980.

Robertson was described as “scruffy, unfit”, not looking like a professional athlete, not least by Clough. “When you get the ball, just give it to the fat lad on the left,” Clough would tell the team. He was stocky more than fat. You don’t turn out for Forest on 243 consecutive occasions between 1976 and 1980 without fitness, fortitude and ability.

But even with the occasional cigarette supplementing his diet, Robertson had more than enough to defeat a full-back, he had strength, trickery, enough of a dart to beat his man outside or on the inside as well as applying his game craft. He was a roving puzzle for opponents.

It’s fitting to see many of the tributes coming in from Liverpool fans of a certain vintage who remember how Robertson so often took the game to their accomplished right-back, the experienced Phil Neal, of that great Liverpool side. One famous European Cup tie, the first leg against Liverpool in 1978, Robertson didn’t assist or score but those who were there at the City Ground remember one particular storming run down the left before cutting the ball back for Colin Barrett’s shot saved by Ray Clemence. Robertson made things happen.

He was another from the dream factory of Drumchapel Amateurs that helped shape Sir Alex Ferguson, Eddie McCreadie, Archie Gemmill and John Wark. He represented Scotland in an era stocked with talent. Jock Stein’s 1982 World Cup squad included Kenny Dalglish, Gordon Strachan, Graeme Souness, Davie Provan and Robertson, amongst others. They didn't always see the best of him but he scored eight times in 28 internationals, including a penalty winner past Joe Corrigan to defeat England at Wembley in 1981.

Humility was a word long associated with Robertson. Loyalty, too. Loyalty to Forest, and also loyalty to Martin O’Neill, who he played with at Forest and assisted everywhere from Wycombe Wanderers to Norwich City and Leicester City, from Celtic to Aston Villa - providing stellar service. What a player and coach John Robertson was, and what a wonderful character who will be much missed. RIP.

[UEFA @UEFA]

On behalf of the European football community, we are saddened by the passing of former Scotland and Nottingham Forest winger John Robertson.

Robertson scored the only goal in the 1980 European Cup final, having assisted the winner in the 1979 final.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former teammates.

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@GAOcpfc

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@StanCollymore Angeball

[Daniel Lismore @daniellismore]

I want to say something many will hate but it needs to be said. I have met Nigel Farage. I do not know him well but I know the world he moves in. We move in similar circles sometimes. The kind of private rooms and members clubs that most people in Britain will never see. I know how the rich speak about ordinary people. They laugh. They joke about how easy it is to wind you up. They know exactly which buttons to press. They know you are angry and tired and struggling and they know you want someone to blame. That is why they point at boats while they pick your pockets.

I did not grow up rich. I did not grow up in privilege. I understand struggle and the real world. But my life changed and now I see both sides. I sit with billionaires and politicians and decision makers and I hear conversations you never will. I know the truth. They do not care about you. They do not care about your future. They care about profit and control. They see ordinary people as tools or distractions. I am telling you this because I am tired of watching good people being manipulated.

Look at your life before Brexit and look at it now. Look at your shopping bills. Look at what food costs in Europe right now. Look at how much tax you pay on imports. Look at your wages and energy prices and mortgages. Look at the 10,000 NHS staff we lost when freedom of movement ended. Look at the ambulances that do not arrive. Look at nurses and teachers using food banks. Tell me honestly. Are you better off?

Nigel helped build the crisis you are living in. Then he pointed at immigrants and told you to blame them. That is the con. He pulled the UK out of the Dublin III agreement which means we cannot return asylum seekers to Europe anymore. He created the boat chaos then told you to panic about it. Someone who worked in immigration for more than ten years told me they saw it coming. It was planned. It is a strategy. And you are falling for it.

Now he wants austerity again. He wants to cut wages for young people. He wants to rip up workers rights. He wants private health insurance and a French style NHS where the rich get treated first and the poor get nothing. He wants you fighting each other so you never see who is robbing you. If you vote for him you are voting to destroy your own life. Not mine. Yours.

None of this affects me personally. I drink champagne with the people who control the money. I will be fine no matter what. Reform will not hurt me. Reform will hurt you. It will hurt your children. Your parents. Your future. I am telling you because I care. If I did not care I would stay silent and watch you suffer.

You think I am your enemy because I make you uncomfortable. I am not. Your enemy is the one who lies to you and blames the vulnerable while he empties your pockets.

Reform will not save you. Reform will finish you.

Think. Before they take everything.

💷🇬🇧☕️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🫖

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@Forest_Review 3rd kit please

[Forest Review @Forest_Review]

We’re giving away a home, away and third shirt to three supporters. To enter, all you have to do is repost this post, follow us, and reply in the comments which shirt you’d prefer to win.
3x winners will be chosen and contacted by 9pm on Sunday.

Good luck! 🌳 #NFFC

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@GarethJD It's a palace account.

[Real Betis Balompié 🌴💚 @RealBetis]

An incredible honor hosting a 2x Champions League winner.

Welcome to La Cartuja, @NFFC! 👋

[Nottingham Forest @NFFC]

A man who shaped our history, and whose legacy will forever live on.

Remembering Brian Clough on the 21st anniversary of his passing. ❤️

[Ｅｓｐｅｎ🦁 @espenstrand]

According to Chris Weatherspoon,
Forest, Newcastle, and maybe even C Palace, will this season follow Villa and Chelsea to get financial punishment from UEFA.

Forest and Toon for both FER and SCR breaches,
and C Palace for SCR.

#avfc #cpfc #nffc #nufc #UTV🦁

Toon even after selling Isak for £125M

Competing consistantly for trophies, is not for everyone.

Well, competing consistantly for trophies is only for pre FFP financial established teams.

In the present, and if regulations doesn't change,
forever.
Because if you have looked at how regs work,
its basically impossible to close the gap, on thos teams who established high revenue through reputation, without regulations.

To get high enough revenue to consistantly compete,
you must win.
To win, you need good players.
Good players demand highr wages.
High wages need hig revenue.

An evil circle!
Impossible to break in.
UEFA and Prem do not allow anyone to break in!

That MUST change!
https://t.co/8hRIz3tkbc

[James Wallington @JamesWallingto1]

@SteveSulley1 Good call, he's home grown.