ROBINSON, William (1943)

Overview

Born in England’s north east at Whitburn, County Durham on 4th April 1919. He was appearing for Hylton Colliery Juniors when he was signed by Sunderland in August 1936. He had just become a regular when the Second World War broke out, in fact six months earlier he had scored four times in a match versus Manchester United.

During the war years he appeared as a guest for Charlton Athletic then Barnsley before he came to Accies as a centre forward and gave a good account of himself in the few matches he played for the club. Next on the roll came Luton Town and finally Stockport County. He was chosen to play against an Aberdeen Select for the Army in 1943 and he scored twice in a 5-4 win at Pittodrie.

When peace resumed he signed for Charlton Athletic, the fee being £1000, and was their centre forward when they beat Burnley in the 1947 FA Cup Final. In his 60 appearances for the Athletic he was credited with 18 goals before he stayed in London and joined West Ham United in January 1949 at a cost of £7000. He netted a further 61 goals in his 195 appearances up until he retired in May 1953 to run the first class youth scheme.

In November 1957 he moved to Assistant Manager and was in place when the Hammers won the Second Division Championship in season 1957-58. It was thought that he would have stayed at Upton Park for life however in 1959 he decided to take on the job of managing Hartlepools United and in the three years he was in charge they had to seek re-election to the League on each occasion. It was probably the most difficult job in the English League.

Other honours he received were while with Durham Boys in 1935 when they were the England School Shield winners and in 1944 he was with Charlton Athletic when they won the English Football League (South) Cup. His death in October 1992 was said to be sudden.

During his playing days he stood 5’10 “ ins and weighed 12sts.

Debut on 28th August 1943 in a Southern League match at home to Hibernian.

Southern League 9 Appearances 7 Goals (1 Four)

Accies Career

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