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FORMER Bulldogs front rower Geoff 'Robbo' Robinson had his flowing locks chopped off at the Bulldogs versus South Sydney clash at the Sydney Showground last Sunday to raise money for the Convoy for Kids charity. (From left) Robinson's daughter Jade and hairdresser Gillian McPherson go for the chop. The $15,000 that was raised will be donated to Westmead Children's Hospital Oncology Pharmacy.

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In the 30 years I have watched the greatest game of all there has been NO-ONE repeat NO ONE that has come close to being harder than GEOFF ROBINSON on a football field.

I saw him take the late great Dallas Donnelly apart on the sideline one day at Belmore after both were sent off.

Les Boyd maybe the dirtiest, never the Hardest.

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"Robbo" is my favourite all time player. He is a "one of a kind", the sort of player who comes along once in a lifetime. I feel privileged to have seen him play for the club I supported during his career (1977-1986) and he gave me much enjoyment watching him play.

He was a fearless prop and second rower. When he got the ball, he would charge straight at the opposition with no regard for his own safety! I reckon the sight of him (long black hair, beard and moustache) charging at you would have put some doubt/fear into defenders' minds! He was not all "head down and charge" though......he developed (especially towards the end of his career) some good ball skills (off-loading to support players with 2 or 3 defenders hanging off him) and was a bit unlucky not to have played State of Origin for NSW. He also played an integral part in the Bulldogs 1980 and 1984 premiership wins.

Was great supporting the Bulldogs when Robbo was playing. Whenever Robbo got the ball the crowd would get all excited and chant "GO ROBBO, GO ROBBO"!!! He was a crowd pleaser! He always gave 100%!

I recall an incident at Brookvale Oval in 1984. In those days me and my friend used to get to the games early. We had also spent a bit of extra money getting our Canterbury jerseys lettered with the words "GO ROBBO" on the front (and in my case "I'm Robbo's No. 1 fan" on the back). Anyway, me and my friend were walking past the Eastern Grandstand at Brookvale when a couple of Manly supporters see our jerseys and say to us "look, there's Robbo". And, sure enough, Geoff Robinson was sitting in front of the Eastern stand near the players' entrance watching the Third Grade play! We went over to say hello. Robbo was in a pair of scruffy jeans, a pair of thongs and smoking a cigarette (all unthinkable by today's standards now that players before and after the match are attired in suits and ties - was even a bit unusual back then, to. Anyway, Geoff took the time to have a chat with us. He was very down to earth and (while he appreciated the "Go Robbo" on our jerseys) he did not let things like this go to his head.

He struck me at the time (and in subsequent encounters with him) as someone who is very loyal to his club (eg he was a one club player) and loyal to his friends (I am not surpised at his support for Garry Hughes in that Sunday Telegraph article - also I recall he had a friend who died around 1990 and "Robbo" took it upon himself to provide financial assitance to his friend's widow and children, even thugh he had a family of his own).

In terms of "character/colourfulness", the only player who comes close to Robbo today is Willie Mason.

Geoff, if you are reading this, I say "thankyou for the memories"and I hope all is well with you and "GO ROBBO, GO ROBBO, GO ROBBO"!!!

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Robbo to dump life membership

EXCLUSIVE by ADAM HAWSE

July 4, 2004

IN a move that has reignited tensions at the Bulldogs, cult hero Geoff Robinson said he will hand back his life membership in protest at the sacking of Garry Hughes as football manager.

Just as the club was stabilising after the trauma of the Coffs Harbour sexual assault allegations, Robinson says he has learned the "truth" behind Hughes' sacking in March and is "utterly disgusted".

The former front-rower with the flowing black hair and bushy beard has resisted advice of family and friends to go public with his intentions.

Joining him in protest is Graeme Hughes, a team-mate from the 1980 premiership-winning Canterbury team and brother of Garry, who will also hand in his life membership at the next club AGM. Both men want a revamped board elected to work alongside chief executive Malcolm Noad.

"(Life membership) means a lot to me. I played there 11 seasons," Robinson said.

"It means a lot to my family, to mum and dad, my brothers and sisters, and this decision is going to hurt deeply.

"I have no confidence in some of the decisions that have been made over the last couple of months.

"I've tried to find some answers and at this stage I haven't stumbled across any.

"At the next AGM, unless I get the proper answers and the reinstatement of Garry Hughes and an apology, my life membership will be handed back in.

"It's a big step and I've thought long and hard about this. I've spoken to a lot of good friends, business people, ex-board members and current board members.

"Some have tried to persuade me not to do it. They said 'you worked so hard for that and not many can get that'.

"But, the person I am, I will stand by my decision.

"If it wasn't Garry, if it was anyone else, I'd do the same thing because I feel they have done the wrong thing."

Hughes and Robinson, who played 139 first-grade games between 1977-86, absolve directors Clive Gartner and Tim Pickup of blame, as well as new board member Jim Hall.

In an interview with Graeme Hughes, to be played tomorrow on 1269 2SM's Talking Sport program, Robinson claims club chairman George Peponis cracked under pressure from sponsors to deliver a scapegoat from the Coffs Harbour affair.

"George was a great captain and I still class him as a friend of mine," Robinson said. "But I think it all came down to pressure and I think he cracked under pressure – and that's not George.

"As a person he handles pressure pretty well.

But I think at the time the pressure was put on him pretty hard to turn around and make these big decisions.

"I still feel if there is that much pressure put on you, you still have to think of the bloke you are going to sack.

"You have to ask 'what does he mean to this club, how long has he been here?' And that's worth more than money."

Garry Hughes has lodged documents against the Bulldogs club in the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, claiming his sacking was "unfair, harsh or unconscionable".

Peponis is angry at what he calls an "agenda" that could destabilise the club's bid for the premiership.

"All I'll say is I'm disappointed that Geoff Robinson couldn't come and have a chat with me," Peponis said.

"As far as Graeme Hughes is concerned . . . I don't want to comment. I'm disappointed that people are doing things now rather than leaving it until AGM time, when it's more appropriate.

"The club has gone through hell in the last two years. We've just started to get back on track.

"The side is going well and to be starting this sort of agenda now, it's just derailing the club again – and the club doesn't need it.

"If people are really genuine that they have the best interests of the club at heart, then why would you be doing this now?" Peponis wouldn't comment on why Hughes and Robinson had not been invited to the club's 70th anniversary function on July 30.

Graeme Hughes called for Peponis to resign.

"He sacked Garry Hughes and then under pressure from others he shoved (then CEO) Steve Mortimer out the door," Hughes said.

"There is no way in the world you can call them the family club after this."

Robinson and Hughes will not nominate themselves for the board.

The Sunday Telegraph

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Geoff played for us for one year in 1986 when we last won the Championship.

Really pleased to see him on the site as (predictably) he became a massive favourite with the 'fax fans.

Particular memories include his "special" which involved taking a lightening, flat ball from scrum half Gary Stevens at full tilt, never more than four yards from the line and never failing to score; fists flying (at Leeds?) when flowing locks were tugged; when he trotted out onto the field unrecognisable, after his annual haircut and, finally, an emotional prop unable to talk as he lifted the Championship trophy on Halifax Town Hall balcony to the chant of "Robbo, Robbo" from the thousands below

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I gave geoff Robinson a couple of my scrap books so he could show them to his sick father on a flying visit while he played for 'Fax.

He never brought them back though !!

Mind you, i'm not going to argue with him, would you ?

I have very happy memories of Geoff and his stint at Halifax - A legend in only a one season appearance.

I hope he is doing well.

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Geoff Robinson a truly awesome player.

I remember a match at Dewsbury in the 1985-86 season, Robbo was on the charge when a Dewsbury player (i think it was their hooker) pulled his hair as he thundered past.

This was not the smartest thing to do.

Down went the ball and in went the fist followed by the head then fist then head etc. The poor guy just didn't stand a chance as his head kept rebounding into a tirade of blows he coudn't even fall down as Robbo had hold of him with his other hand.

Eventually Robbo was pulled away, the hookers face was a mess his nose was spread across most of it. The poor bloke was also sent off (Robbo wasn't).

Sent off for pulling hair hmm!

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i remember watching geoff wildman robinson at featherstone and the locals were laughing at his long hair.

we said just keep watching he runs as hard in the last minute as he does in the first.

he tackled fairly the great britain second row burton ,and he had to be helped off the field feeling worse for wear and still groggy.

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