Tributes paid after passing of former Ashington director Brian Robson

Tributes have poured in following the sudden passing of a former director and football secretary at Ashington AFC.

A family man as well as a passionate football fan, Brian Robson died at the end of last month aged 63. Lewis Robson, Brian’s eldest son, said: “Dad got diagnosed with stage four lung cancer on March 13th and passed away on the morning of March 30th at NSEC [Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington].”

Brian was a mad keen supporter in footballing circles with England, Newcastle United, and Ashington - all of whom he followed home and away - and was planning to go to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, where he already had a ticket for the final. He was also a season ticket holder at Newcastle United for over 40 years and was operations manager at Cramlington Juniors where he organised Sportsman’s dinners – a task he did for Ashington as well.

Lewis added: “Dad massively supported me. He was the biggest influence in my life. It was always me and him with the football as he took me to training in rain and snow with late nights and early mornings, whilst with my younger brother Alex, dad supported him with his music and rock concerts.

“Dad had nothing left on his bucket list - anything he wanted to do he would do it and he lived life to the full. He went to four European Championships with England and it would have been to three World Cups – Qatar, Russia and the US - as well as to countless Nations League games and friendlies.”

Brian Shotton, former chairman at Ashington said: “It is very sad and a massively untimely death. Brian had a lot more to give, not just to his family and friends but what he did following England everywhere, as well as Newcastle United.

“Brian didn’t want to make a fuss, so not many of us knew about his illness, and as much as it is sad, it’s also a blessing that he didn’t suffer for too long. I worked closely with Brian for a number of years and he contributed a lot to Ashington, and we’ll continue to recognise that as we have done with others.”

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, who was chairman at the Woodhorn Lane club when Brian was football secretary, said: “I’ve known ‘Pop’ since we were kids. He was a smashing friend then and has been a smashing friend since. He didn’t have a bad word for anyone and was ready to help when needed. Brian lived his life for his family and his football. He was a lad with a great sense of community spirit. He never forgot his roots and was a living encyclopaedia on football cliches. He was always great craic and always in a decent fettle. Brian will be a huge miss.”

A funeral service for Brian was held at the Northumberland Woodland Burial and Crematorium at Bockenfield, Morpeth on Wednesday of this week.