'My father never forgot Newcastle United'

Andy Watson
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
BBC Elizabeth Robledo, the daughter of Chilean footballer George Robledo stands in front of shoppers at the Back Page book shop in Newcastle. She is dressed in a light blue shirt and is wearing her fathers navy blue jacket which has the Newcastle United crest stitched into the pocket. BBC
Elizabeth Robledo wearing her father George's 1951 Newcastle FA cup final jacket

The daughter of Newcastle United's first overseas player has said he would be "very proud" of a book written about his life and career.

The new book, called Postcards from Santiago, chronicles George Robledo's life, from his early years in Chile to his prominent playing career.

He lifted back-to-back FA Cups with the Magpies, the first in 1951 and the second when he scored the winner against Arsenal at Wembley a year later.

"In a world where footballers are superstars, my dad was just normal and I think the book highlights that," Elizabeth Robledo said.

Handout Football picture of Newcastle United's 1952 FA Cup winning team which pictures George Robledo wearing the famous black and white shirt of Newcastle. Handout
George Robledo (centre-left) scored 82 times for Newcastle United between 1949 and 1953

Robledo came to England from Chile as a child in the early 1930s with his mother and brother Ted Robledo, who also played for Newcastle.

Ms Robledo said: "He loved his time in Newcastle and never forgot the city and I know the fans call it the glorious '50s."

During the 1951-52 season, he set a record for most goals scored by an overseas player in English football - a record which stood for almost 50 years.

Sports journalist and author Spencer Vignes heard a stat about Robledo during a pub quiz and knew he wanted to write the book.

"He was the first South American to win the FA Cup, he was the first South American to score in the FA Cup. He was a trailblazer and deserves to be remembered," Mr Vignes said.

Elizabeth Robledo hugging a man who is facing away from her so only his back is visible. He is wearing a black-and-white football shirt with "Robledo, 10" on the back. Behind them are shelves stacked with football memorabilia.
Elizabeth Robledo hugs supporter David Kemp, who wore his Robledo strip to the book signing in Newcastle

Robledo died in April 1989 but is still fondly remembered by Newcastle fans, who flocked to the city's Back Page book shop to pick up their copies of his biography.

Fans hugged and thanked Ms Robledo when arriving at the book store.

David Kemp, from Brampton in Cumbria, said: "He was my favourite player growing up as a kid, he was for me what Bruno [Guimaraes] is to kids nowadays."

"I've been very emotional, I know my father would be very proud," Ms Robledo said.

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