My Spurs debut | Paul Robinson vs Liverpool | 14.08.2004
Thu 28 September 2023, 13:05|
Tottenham Hotspur
Paul Robinson, 43, joined us from Leeds United in the summer of 2004. Already capped by England at the age of 23, and one of the best young goalkeepers around, it took him just two months to become both Spurs' and England's number one. Popular with the fans, League Cup winner in 2008, it all started for Robbo against Liverpool in August, 2004...
It was all change at the club, as well. Jacques Santini joined us as Head Coach from the France national team and alongside him, Martin Jol. There were familiar faces on the coaching set up as well with Chris Hughton and Clive Allen on board.
For a measure of that change, Robbo was one of seven debutants against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the 2004/05 Premier League season, six starting - Robbo, Phil Ifil, Erik Edman, Nourredine Naybet, Pedro Mendes and Sean Davis - and Thimothee Atouba off the bench. It was a promising start, as well, as Jermain Defoe secured a point with 11 minutes left against the team that would win the Champions League at the end of the season, JD levelling Djibril Cisse's 37th-minute opener.
Martin Jol would soon take over as Head Coach and begin a journey that would take us back into Europe in 2006 and knocking on the door of the Champions League. We'd eventually get there in 2010...
Speaking to us this week, Robbo felt that first connection with the fans was as important as anything.
"Wow, it's almost 20 years ago... I was a youngster then, understudy to Kasey Keller, but the way I performed in pre-season saw that I got the nod to start the season and that in itself was a massive honour," he said. "It was the start of a great relationship with the fans, as well, and that really meant a lot.
"I'd played at White Hart Lane for Leeds and it was always one of my favourite away grounds. I felt that connection with the fans straight away and to go straight in and play for such a big club after what was a massive move for me that summer, yes, that was special.
"I played my best football at Spurs, without a shadow of doubt and that game against Liverpool was the start of the best times of my career, playing my best football and my happiest memories. Spurs gave me all that... great days."
Robbo went on to make 175 appearances in all competitions for us between 2004-2008 - he famously scored against Watford in March, 2007 - and earned 37 of his 41 England caps at Spurs, including the 2006 World Cup. He played until he was 37 with spells at Blackburn and Burnley, before a back injury forced his retirement. He's now a popular pundit for the likes of Sky Sports and BBC.
