Ally Robertson
Encyclopedia
Alistair Peter "Ally" Robertson (born September 9, 1952 in Linlithgow
) is a Scottish
former footballer who played as a central defender.
as an apprentice in July 1968 and turned professional in September 1969. He remained with the club until 1986, making over 500 appearances in the heart of the team's defence and playing under managers such as Alan Ashman
, Don Howe, Johnny Giles
, Ronnie Allen
, Ron Atkinson
, Ron Wylie
, Nobby Stiles
and Ron Saunders
. The club spent all but three seasons in the top flight during his playing days. A tough defender, he held in high regard by the club's fans. However, he never won a Scotland cap.
He moved to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
in 1986 and played for four more years, enjoying back-to-back promotions under the management of Graham Turner
and also captaining the side to the Football League Trophy
at Wembley in 1988.
After retiring from league football in 1990, he became player manager of non-league Worcester City and later took up the reins at Cheltenham Town. He currently works for a car sales company.
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
) is a Scottish
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
former footballer who played as a central defender.
Career
Robertson joined West Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
as an apprentice in July 1968 and turned professional in September 1969. He remained with the club until 1986, making over 500 appearances in the heart of the team's defence and playing under managers such as Alan Ashman
Alan Ashman
George Alan Ashman was an English association footballer, best remembered for some notable managerial successes.-Playing career:...
, Don Howe, Johnny Giles
Johnny Giles
Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
, Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
, Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
, Ron Wylie
Ron Wylie
Ronald M. Wylie is a Scottish former football player, coach and manager. He played as a right half or inside forward for Notts County, Aston Villa and Birmingham City, making more than 550 appearances in the Football League, and more than 700 in all competitions...
, Nobby Stiles
Nobby Stiles
Norbert "Nobby" Peter Stiles MBE is a retired English footballer. He was born in Collyhurst, Manchester.Stiles played for England for five years, winning 28 caps and scoring 1 goal. He played every minute of England's victorious 1966 FIFA World Cup campaign...
and Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders is a retired English football player and former successful manager. He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, normally bitter rivals....
. The club spent all but three seasons in the top flight during his playing days. A tough defender, he held in high regard by the club's fans. However, he never won a Scotland cap.
He moved to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in 1986 and played for four more years, enjoying back-to-back promotions under the management of Graham Turner
Graham Turner
Graham John Turner is an English former footballer who became a manager. He is currently manager of League Two club Shrewsbury Town. His son Mark was also a professional footballer....
and also captaining the side to the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
at Wembley in 1988.
After retiring from league football in 1990, he became player manager of non-league Worcester City and later took up the reins at Cheltenham Town. He currently works for a car sales company.