Burnley goalkeeper Paul Robinson talks about returning to football at the age of 37
Former England keeper was released by Blackburn 18 months ago and started his first Premier League game for four and a half years against Manchester City
PAUL ROBINSON . . . do you remember him?
Started out at Leeds, moved on to Tottenham and then Blackburn. Won 41 caps for England . . . oh and THAT night in Croatia back in 2006.
Many people probably thought the former Three Lions keeper, 37, had retired — and you could be forgiven for thinking that.
After all it was more than 26 months since he last made an appearance of any kind.
And it was 4½ years since he last played in the Premier League — on the night Blackburn were relegated in May 2012.
It looked like Robinson’s career had come to an unsatisfactory end when he left Ewood Park in summer 2015 — having spent the previous eight months in the stands.
And he wondered if that was the case, too.
But after some soul-searching he decided he wanted his playing days to finish on a happier note.
Rovers’ traditional rivals Burnley offered him the chance to do that ten months ago — and at Turf Moor they think the world of him.
Even so, it was a long wait for his chance, and wouldn’t you know it, that finally came against the Premier League’s most lethal striker — Sergio Aguero.
Robinson, though, could not wait and said: “When I left Blackburn, my career had not ended the way I wanted it to.
“I knew myself that I still had something to give.
““I wasn’t happy with the way my career had gone.
“I’d had such a good career, I didn’t want it to end because of someone else’s decision.
“I felt at 36, I was too young. I enjoyed my time out of the game.
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“I had a little bit of time with my family and then it got to the point where I thought ‘I’m missing it’.
“So I had to do something about it, but I didn’t want to be an old pro coming back just for the sake of it. I had to do it properly.
“I took a break from the game, re-evaluated things and decided that if I wanted to play again, it couldn’t be in four or five years’ time, it had to be now.
“So I got myself fit, started training again and wanted to come back at the best level that I could and give myself every opportunity.
“I didn’t want to come back just for the sake of it. I wanted to be hungry.
“I went training again and the call came from Burnley in January.
“Things have gone brilliantly and I’ve just bided my time.”
When England’s Tom Heaton injured a calf at West Brom last Monday night, Robinson sensed his chance could be coming.
He made the most of it, too, making some impressive saves before Manchester City finally claimed the points with two scruffy Aguero goals.
The Clarets had shocked City early on, when Dean Marney belted home a corker in the 14th minute.
But they lost Marney and Johann Berg Gudmundsson from the middle of the park due to injuries and City gained the upper hand.
And Aguero took his Prem tally to ten for the campaign with close-range finishes in the 37th and 60th minutes.
Robinson added: “I’m delighted to be back playing after such a long time.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Tom, passing on my experience to him and I was given a chance, which was really fulfilling.
“It was just nice to be back on the pitch.
“I had not played a Premier League game in more than four years and a Championship game for two years.
“It was just nice to be back on the pitch and playing again. It just felt natural.”
Robinson accepts he is likely to be back on the bench as soon as Heaton is fit again.
And given Heaton had played in the last 142 league matches for the Clarets, it could be a while until Robinson gets another chance.
But Robbo said: “I was just really looking forward to it because for me, it was a free one.
“Nothing was expected of us against Manchester City.
“I just wanted to enjoy myself and give as good a performance as I could and be as outstanding as I could be.
“I understand that when Tom is fit, he will come back into the team.
“He’s in fantastic form and is the team captain.
“But I’ve got to do a job while he’s not in the team.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has been impressed by Robinson over the last ten months and had no worries about pitching him in.
He said: “I see Paul in training every day and I think he’s different class.
“He’s as lean and fit as he’s ever been, he’s mentally clear on what he needs to do.
“His save in the first half was top drawer — from any keeper, any age.
“Age goes out of the window when you make a save like that.
“Calling on Paul wasn’t really a major decision for me.”