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| Robin Shroot Makes Birmingham Debut |
| 15th January 2009 07:39 |
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Robin Shroot, who recently signed for Championship league team Birmingham City, made his debut on Tuesday night at St Andrews against Wolves in the FA Cup.
He had been named as a substitute in the two previous matches but had been called off due to the freezing cold conditions.
Tuesday evening around 5.30pm on the way to our Godalming cup fixture I got a call from Robin to say he was starting on the left of midfield for Birmingham.
He was obviously very excited but there was a certain confidence and calmness in his voice.
I then spoke to him again after their defeat around 11.30pm for his account of his first 90 minutes as a professional footballer.
He thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience in front of a 20,000 plus crowd and felt he should have scored but for a good save by the Wolves Goal keeper. His Manager Alex McCleish was pleased with Robin’s debut. He was also impressed with how “the young non-league player dealt with the whole occasion”.
Fortunately for Birmingham (and Robin) I decided not to play Robin in either of our two FA Cup matches with Hemel Hempstead back in September. He was recovering from injury and I thought it was a little bit too early. Although at the time he wasn’t happy because he desperately wanted to play. He had been training really hard but had only played a couple of reserve matches.
I played him four days after our cup exit in the league at home to Maidstone.
His agent Barry Silkman negotiated a fantastic two and a half year deal with a one-year option for Robin.
As part of the deal Barry and I also secured a pre season friendly and a goodwill payment by Birmingham City to be paid to Harrow Borough Football Club.
I spent 3 years from 1993-96 at St Andrews as a player/coach with then Manager Barry Fry. During that time I experienced relegation, promotion and a win at Wembley stadium. It was a memorable and fantastic experience and in my opinion Robin has joined a massive football club with such incredibly loyal and vociferous supporters.
These supporters are very knowledgeable and I think they will take to Robin very quickly.
Robin has experienced now for himself the Blues supporters singing “Keep right on to the end of the road” which echoes and reverberates around the whole stadium.
Before he signed, many clubs had been to Earlsmead to watch Robin but I’m especially pleased that he, like Albert Adomah, has joined another former league club that I have worked for respect and know really well.
In the last year Robin has worked especially hard on his game and fitness with his close friend and Boro player coach Jamie Lawrence.
I know his father Vic and his wife are very proud of their twins. They never doubted their son’s ability and have supported both son and daughter. I’m just proud along with the rest of my playing and coaching staff that we were able to assist Robin in realising his ambition.
Good luck Shrooty.
Howsy |
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