Vicky McClure was among the mourners at John Robertson’s funeral on Friday as a crowd of football’s greats celebrated the life of the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend following his death on Christmas Day.
Robertson died at the age of 72 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is widely considered to be Forest’s greatest-ever player after playing an integral part in their European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
Roy Keane, Stuart Pearce, Martin O’Neill, Sean Dyche, Eddie Gray, John McGovern, Nicholas Randall and Garry Birtles were all among those pictured arriving at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottinghamshire.
Line of Duty star Vicky’s husband Jonny Owen is a Forest fan who made a film about Forest’s glory years and became good friends with Robertson.
Vicky McClure was among the mourners for John Robertson at his funeral on Friday
Roy Keane is pictured arriving at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium in Nottinghamshire
Robertson is pictured lifting the European Cup for Nottingham Forest in Munich in 1979
Stuart Pearce named Robertson as the greatest player in Nottingham Forest’s history
Robertson set up Trevor Francis to score the winner against Malmo in the 1979 European Cup final before becoming the goalscoring hero himself a year later against Hamburg.
The winger also picked up 28 caps for Scotland and spent a couple of years at Derby County in a career which spanned 627 games.
Forest said in a statement last month: ‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson.
‘A true great of our Club and a double European Cup winner, John’s unrivalled talent, humility and unwavering devotion to Nottingham Forest will never ever be forgotten.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was among those paying tribute to his former assistant coach
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche said of Robertson: ‘What a guy and legendary player’
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray is pictured on the phone as he arrived at the crematorium
‘Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Robbo… our greatest.’
Robertson made his debut for the Midlands outfit in October 1970 and made 502 appearances in a 13-year stint at the club. He then dropped down into the Second and Third Division with Derby County for a couple of years before returning to end his career at Forest in the top flight in 1985-86.
With Scotland, he is remembered for scoring the winning penalty as they beat England 1-0 at Wembley in 1981 to win the British Home Championship.
John McGovern was a former team-mate and friend of Robertson before his death
Nottingham Forest chairman Nicholas Randall said the club had lost their ‘greatest player’
Garry Birtles, who called Robertson an ‘absolute genius’, is seen arriving at the crematorium
He also scored against New Zealand in the 1982 World Cup.
Clough once described him as a ‘Picasso of our game,’ adding: ‘Give him a yard of grass and he was an artist.’
After retiring, he was Martin O’Neill’s assistant manager at Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic, and Aston Villa.
In 2015, a poll by the Nottingham Post revealed him to be the fans’ all-time favourite player.
