A Final Farewell to Neil Robinson
Last Monday, people came from far and wide to pay their final respects to former Toffee, Neil Robinson who passed away suddenly on 24 November, at just sixty-five years of age.Â

On Monday 12 December 2022, people came from far and wide to pay their final respects to Neil Robinson. Neil, who made twenty-three first team appearances as a right-back for the Toffees between 1976 and 1979, had passed away suddenly on 24 November, at just sixty-five years of age. The ceremony, held at Widnes Crematorium on a bitterly cold afternoon, was so well-attended that many people had to stand outside, listening to the proceedings via the PA system.
Those present included family, friends, former clubmates from Everton, plus representatives of Everton FC and Everton FC Heritage Society. A group of his former Swansea City team mates had made an eight hour round trip to pay their respects to their former colleague who they still held in such high regard.
Fittingly, as he is still the first team player born closest to Goodison Park (on Spellow Lane), Neil’s coffin was conveyed to the service by a royal blue hearse, with Everton FC insignia. Inside the chapel, his daughters, Ali and Kat, recited a beautiful poem that Neil had written for his wife-to-be Pauline, in 1977. They wed in January 1978 and she always kept it safely in her purse.

Keith Robinson gave a moving speech about his younger brother – adroitly mixing wit and warmth. He touched on his time as a footballer and recalled Neil turning vegetarian in 1970, to the shock of his mother, after seeing an animal sacrificially killed on TV. His father thought it was a two-day fad, but a decade later Neil became a vegan and never looked back (earning the nickname Bananaman when at Grimsby Town in the mid-1980s). Keith recalled how Neil spread the word about his beliefs, but not in a pushy way – a prime example being his completion of a long distance cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats, in an ashtonishing nine days, to highlight the benefits of a healthy vegan lifestyle.
Neil was also a talented composer and wrote and produced music under several monikers. But above all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
A tribute was read from Neil’s son, Neil Jr. before celebrant Bill Wooland picked up on the themes of a life well lived, by a loving man, who lived true to his principles.

Afterwards, attendees retired to Parklands Social Club, to raise a toast to Neil and share anecdotes about how he had touched their lives for the better. His brother John produced and delivered a moving and often humourous presentation of images telling the story of Neil’s life, career and family, accompanied throughout with a soundtrack of several of his own compositions.
You can read a full tribute to Neil on the Everton FC Heritage Society website, via this link:
http://efcheritagesociety.com/neil-robinson-1957-2022/

Reader Comments (14)
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2 Posted 17/12/2022 at 19:39:50
That hearse is fantastic.
3 Posted 17/12/2022 at 20:12:52
Anyone who wants a glimpse of what Mr Robinson was like in person should read Brian Viner's account of their interview in his book "Looking Up the Toffees".
Mr Robinson recounts the hilarious story of his reaction to his only Everton goal -- tearing joyfully around the pitch while his enraged teammates ignored him. They were busy remonstrating with the referee for not giving a penalty, which Bob Latchford could have converted for his 30th goal of the season.
Viner found him to be an absolutely delightful man.
4 Posted 17/12/2022 at 20:15:01
I used to scrawl my team lists on schoolbooks, bits of paper, anything and there was a time when Neil was my first choice right-back.
It's wonderful to see his contribution to Everton recognised alongside those who played more, scored more and won trophies.
5 Posted 17/12/2022 at 21:13:10
Glad he seems to have had a good career when he left and total respect for promoting his vegan beliefs, albeit I'm anything but.
Never realised his elder brother was knighted for world-wide services to education. The Robinson family seem to me to have been special people.
RIP
6 Posted 18/12/2022 at 06:53:26
As the report says, it was a bitterly cold day and ended up outside with loads of others.
I knew Neil when he had his gym in Widnes, he was a great bloke.
God bless.
7 Posted 18/12/2022 at 14:08:31
A very humble man and humility is hard to find these days especially when you have so much to be proud of in your life as Neil did.
Condolences to all Neil's lovely relations.
8 Posted 18/12/2022 at 15:23:34
R.I.P.
9 Posted 21/12/2022 at 20:41:38
10 Posted 22/12/2022 at 02:57:54
Ken was a hero of mine for several years. His works are seminal and his renown was international.
Ken used to drop subtle hints of the magnificence of the Royal Blue in his books. Specifically he mentioned his sister being educated in "the school" and still living in the shadow of the venerable old lady. His writing was extensive and he may have mentioned Niel elsewhere.
Condolences to all.
11 Posted 22/12/2022 at 08:54:52
12 Posted 23/12/2022 at 17:50:16
13 Posted 23/12/2022 at 17:50:16
I still remember the crowd and atmosphere. The Gwladys Street was absolutely rocking. Neil came on a substitute that day for Dave Jones. RIP Neil.
14 Posted 23/12/2022 at 17:54:17
My best childhood friend died 20 years ago today after being assaulted a few days earlier on a night out. I won't go into the detail.
He was a huge Evertonian. We went to every home match over several seasons and many away trips during those 80s glory years
Wembley, the Villa Park semi finals, Old Trafford, Maine Road, Nottingham Forest amongst many others. Seeing the blues lift the title at Carrow Road and that long, but memorable trip home on the Amberline coach back to Speke being aloud to have an underage drink or two!!
God bless you Dave.
I did apologise in advance, so excuse me.
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1 Posted 17/12/2022 at 19:29:48