John Robson (footballer, born 1950)

Robson was born in Consett, Durham and represented the county at schoolboy level before joining Derby County. He made his debut for the England under-23 side in 1970 and went on to win a total of seven caps for the side. In December 1972, Aston Villa manager Vic Crowe paid £90,000 to sign Robson. He helped the club to win the Football League Cup twice, in 1975 and 1977, and went on to make 176 appearances in all competitions. At the age of 28, he was diagnosed as being in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) and was forced to retire from playing. ==After football==

Following his retirement, Robson ran a newsagents in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield but was forced to leave the job when his MS worsened. He struggled to deal with the psychological effects of his condition until he was rushed from a hospice in Erdington and died a day later at Good Hope Hospital at the age of 53 on 12 May 2004. ==Honours==

;Derby County • Football League First Division winner: 1971–72 Derby County League Two Winners, promoted to the First Division 1968 - 69, Derby County Watney Cup winners 1970, Derby County Texaco Cup winners 1971 72 ;Aston Villa • Football League Cup winner: 1975, 1977 ==References==