Training alongside two players focusing on preparations for a Champions League campaign probably wasn’t on Paul Robinson’s mind when he joined Newcastle Blue Star this week.
But the three-time FA Vase winner, and a player regarded as one of the most talented playmakers in North East non-league football over the last decade, found himself sharing a dressing room with Newcastle United duo Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy when his pre-season training schedule got under way on Tuesday night.
The Magpies stars were visitors to Blue Star’s Scotswood home as they took part in a fitness session with the Northern League Division Two newcomers before spending time talking to Brian Smith’s squad at the end of training.
Robinson described the duo as ‘absolute gems’ and revealed the impact their presence and attitude has left on his new team-mates as they prepare to kick off their pre-season schedule with a friendly at Northern Alliance club Wallsend Boys Club on Wednesday night.
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He told Chronicle Live: “Yeah, Sean and Jacob came into the dressing room and it was a bit of a surprise. In my head I was thinking ‘you know you’re actually Jacob Murphy, right?’
“They were both absolute gems, they were absolutely top class with the lads and they took part in the running session, watched the ball work and then chatted with the lads after the session.
“Sean is there quite often and he’s been on the non-league scene a long with Matty (Longstaff). I know they watched North Shields a lot when I was there and it’s great to see. It was just a great experience for us and it gives us a real boost ahead of the new season.”
Robinson experienced life as a professional earlier in his career when he spent time at Tranmere Rovers, Grimsby Town and York City - before moving back to the North East to forge a fine reputation for himself in the non-league game.
Three FA Vase Final wins with Whitley Bay were a landmark achievement and he has represented the likes of Blyth Spartans, Darlington and North Shields, before helping Ashington to a historic promotion into the Northern Premier League East Division last season.
As he prepares to step into the Northern League’s second tier for the first time, Robinson admitted the ambitions of his new club were key to his move the Blue Star as he believes they can create ‘something special’ over the coming years.
“The ambition is clear and a lot of my friends are there so I’d been keeping a close eye on them and they’ve grown and developed in recent years.
“Once I knew I was leaving Ashington, it was a no-brainer to go there because at my age, 39, I just wanted to join my mates in doing something special and hopefully following in the footsteps of what Ashington have done.
“I didn’t really have other offers but once I knew Ashington were going up, I couldn’t really do the travel at my age and I didn’t really fancy that. They knew my attentions and Ian Skinner was different class with me. Even if I’d had other offers, there was only one place I was going to go.”
At 39, with over 150 goals and a whole host of silverware behind him, Robinson is in the final years of his career - but he revealed he is not quite ready to hang up his boots and is relishing everything that lies ahead at the moment.
“I am just playing it by ear at the moment,” he explained. "Everyone always asks midway through a season if it’s going to be my last and the answer is always I don’t know.
“As long as I feel good and I can contribute, I’ll keep going and I feel like people trust me, I don’t feel I’m in the way or anything like that. There will be a time when that comes, but I am loving it at the moment and long may that continue.”
