Everton are mourning the loss of former full-back Neil Robinson after he died on Thursday aged 65 following a cardiac arrest.
Robinson was born just 100 yards away from Goodison Park in 1957 and was signed professionally by the Blues at the age of 17, one year after beginning his career as an apprentice.
The full-back loved Everton and made more than 20 appearances for the club before transferring to Swansea City. He played more than 120 times for the Swans and scored seven goals.
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Robinson played for Grimsby Town for four years and made in excess of 100 appearances before a stint at his final professional club, Darlington.
The full-back was the first vegan professional footballer in the English game after making the decision to cut out meat and dairy products as a teenager.
Plenty of tributes have already been paid to Neil on social media. Everton Heritage Society said: "Some very sad news. Neil Robinson...died suddenly last night. A lovely man & the first vegan pro footballer in the UK. He loved EFC. Our condolences to the Robinson family".
James Corbett wrote: "Very sorry to learn of the passing of former Everton defender Neil Robinson. Possibly the first vegan pro footballer, brother of famous educationalist Ken Robinson, and a proper Goodison local."
And the official @ToshMovie account posted: "Been asked by John Robinson the brother of Swans legend Neil to share the devastating news that Neil died last night of cardiac arrest at just 65. A star of the film and one of the players I was proud to get to know and call a friend, this is devastating news. RIP Robbo x"
Speaking to the ECHO back in 2013, Robinson said: "I was born in 1957 into a family of Evertonians on Spellow Lane, a stone’s throw from Goodison Par. My dad had held numerous jobs, including landlord at the Winslow on Goodison Road.
“My brother John and I had dreams of being footballers so we composed letters asking for a trial at Everton and Liverpool. We never thought that we’d get anywhere near but not long afterwards we got a reply from both clubs."
Robinson went on to make 23 appearances for the Blues between 1976 and 1979, including a League Cup final in only his fourth senior outing.
