'For one night only.....'

One year ago today, James (Jimmy) Robinson died.

To many at the Rec, Jimmy Robinson needed no introduction. A committed supporter from 1947 to 2009, on the old East Bank when it was cinder and railway sleepers to a season ticket in the North Stand in the early seventies…..


So as we race towards the start of a new season wrapped up in the security of professionalism and commercialism…..with thoughts turning to the needs of our corporate ‘supporters’ (for the day)…time to stop and think. Well, perhaps for just a couple of minutes…..as England return in disgrace from South Africa, questions are raised about the power and effect of the Premier League, players and managers throughout the professional game act only to disengage from the ‘average’ supporter and where existence…survival….and progress are all dependent on a world far removed from the sanctuary of the East Bank in 1947.

And despite this blog entering hibernation in March I think it is fitting that I should post, in full, the address that I was privileged to have been invited to give at Jimmy’s funeral - held at Aldershot Crematorium on Thursday 16th July 2009.

So ‘for one night only’…..

James (Jimmy) Robinson

As I left home first thing this morning, my wife shouted down the stairs – ‘keep to your prepared text and don’t, whatever you do, attempt to recall all of Jimmy’s 62 seasons at the Recreation Ground.’

I just wish she had reminded me to put my reading glasses in the car.

And one of the great mysteries. Meeting up with Jimmy on match day. His arm extended. His hand offered, ‘Bonjour Wales’.

And my one regret. Never responding as Derrick Trotter, from Only Fools and Horses, would have done, ‘Mange Tout, Aldershot’.

News from my brother that Jimmy had been admitted to hospital shortly after he returned from a trip to Paris came as no surprise to me. His fight against cancer had been long, determined and resolute.

And when Jimmy sadly died, it wasn’t for the first time that the Football Club message board had been used to report the loss of a fan.

But something made this posting different.

No, it wasn’t just the fact that some 40 tributes have now been viewed over 4000 times. And no, not because all of the words used have been genuinely warm and kind.

Yes, as I posted my own contribution I could see quite clearly that many of the thoughts were structured around a common theme, and I’m not referring to Jimmy’s vice like grip of his pint glass.

Bob the Red wrote….’ The news has knocked me back a bit. I wasn't exactly a close friend but I did know him, in fact I think that everybody must have seen him around at some time or other on match days. He loved his football, and he loved his ale. I knew that when I travelled on any of the away coaches I only had to follow him to find a decent pub, he knew them all. I will certainly miss him.’

Alan B, who lives in the midlands, wrote…’ I've seen Jim loads of times at away games over the years but never got to know him, just the occasional nod of recognition. Everybody who follows the Shots away will know he was one of the most loyal fans a Club could wish for.’

And East Bank Boy wrote…’ Jim was a lovely man, very approachable; you could always go and have a natter with him on the coach or at the game. I started going to away matches on my own on the supporters coach in 2003 and I used to chat to him quite a bit. Last season I started going on the RBA (Red and Blue Army) bus but still managed to have a word with him occasionally. He always had something to moan about which was great as I could always find something to moan about with him! I'm going to miss him….’

Jimmy started following the Shots in 1947 although he could never recall his first game at the Rec, only the fact that it cost 9d return on the double decker bus from Dogmersfield to Aldershot.

In 1950 Jimmy joined the RAF as a stores accountant and was stationed at Middle Wallop. On Saturdays he used to get the train up from Andover via Basingstoke and Woking to Aldershot. In those days the Shots played in front of 8 or 9000 fans and even the reserves played to crowds of 1000. Then after the game Jimmy would hit the town….well the cinema, and he probably downed the odd pint before catching the last train home.

And by the time that I started following Aldershot in 1960 I guess Jimmy was paying the adult rate, and probably having a good moan about the ‘exorbitant cost of getting in these days’.

From the experience of the cinder and railway sleepers that formed the East Bank Jimmy moved to the North Stand in the early seventies. And to a position that he maintained pretty much for the rest of his life.

And when Aldershot Football Club died in 1992 Jimmy was still gripping the railings of the North Stand, refusing to be removed.

But somehow we came back….happier…stronger…optimistic…joyful. And gosh didn’t Jimmy make the most of the new adventures. Consigned to memory the inevitably dismal trip north to Barrow, the open terrace, horizontal rain, barely warm Bovril and a last minute own goal…..to be replaced by the superb Clubroom at Eastleigh and the beautiful ground at Bognor…..and the last minute winner.

For more years than I care to remember my family has parked, on match days, close to Redan Hill, the walk down to the ground always exposing deep seated emotions. The floodlights coming into view first, then the East Bank, the North Stand followed by a glimpse of the ageing but classic form of the South Stand. Everything in place…..perhaps no different to the comfort blanket formed by the quintessential Englishness of the pub overlooking the Village Cricket Ground at Hartley Wintney or the strength exuded by the commanding presence of Winchester Cathedral.

Then when I look around in the North Stand the faces are always the same. Perhaps all showing signs of age but if you look close enough you can see how together they all make up the DNA of our Club. Each carrying the same emotion that makes my own long journey back to the Recreation Ground so compelling.

And etched in Jimmy’s face…victory over Aston Villa, Sir Matt Busby bringing Charlton, Law and Best to the Rec in 1970…. ….Jack Howarth and the Cup win over Reading….so many shared experiences.

So as I stood next to Jimmy at Exeter on April 15th last year (2008) I could clearly see that the restoration of League football to the Recreation Ground was achieved, not by the players and the management, but through the combined emotional power of people like Jimmy.

Promotion from the Blue Square Premier followed by a season back in the Football League for Aldershot Town, was shared with his many friends…….the long and hard fought battles a personal triumph.

James Robinson was the personification of hope, friendship and strength.

I will miss you Jimmy, but in my thoughts you will always be there, gripping the railings in the North Stand…..



A Shot from Wales
July 16th 2009