The death of former Preston striker Michael Robinson was front page news in Spain

The sad death of former Preston North End striker Michael Robinson this week was front and back page news in Spain.
Former Preston striker Michael Robinson became a successful television pundit in SpainFormer Preston striker Michael Robinson became a successful television pundit in Spain
Former Preston striker Michael Robinson became a successful television pundit in Spain

Robinson passed away at the age of 61 on Tuesday, having been diagnosed in December 2018 with malignant melanoma.

After his playing days ended, Robinson carved out a successful career as a football pundit in Spain.

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The last club he played for in his career was Osasuna and he made his home in Spain from then on.

Michael Robinson scores for Preston against Leicester City at Deepdale in April 1979Michael Robinson scores for Preston against Leicester City at Deepdale in April 1979
Michael Robinson scores for Preston against Leicester City at Deepdale in April 1979

Robinson did some commentary at the 1990 World Cup, his style of punditry catching the attention of Canal Plus' head of sport.

For many years Robinson produced and presented Monday night highlights show El Dia Después, becoming a major television personality.

He was commentating right up to the shutdown of football due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Robinson's sad passing knocked all other sports stories off the front and back pages in the Spanish media.

Newspaper AS dedicated 10 pages to remembering Robinson's life in football and punditry.

It was at North End where Robinson kicked-off his football career as a teenager.

He got a run of games towards the end of the 1977/78 promotion season, and the following campaign in the Second Division, Robinson won PNE's player of the year award after scoring 14 goals.

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Robinson's performances attracted the attention of Manchester City who paid £756,000 for his services in June 1979.

He spent a season at City before moving to Brighton, then Liverpool brought him back to the North West.

In 1984, Robinson was in the Reds squad which won the league, European Cup and league Cup treble.

After a spell at QPR he joined Osasuna which was to give rise to his television career.

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