An interesting article in today's Chronicle about how close the Robledo brothers came to re-signing for Barnsley from their club in Chile (who had bought them from Newcastle). https://www.pressreader.com/uk/barnsley-chronicle-9ZZ3/20250425/282291031091729
I was friends with George and we continued to correspondence when he went to Newcastle and again when he returned to Chile. I was delighted when I met Elizabeth, his daughter, a couple of years ago, and looking forward to seeing her again at the book launch.
Would you be, at all, offended if I asked you your age? The reason I ask is because, if George were still with us, he would be 99. That could make you our most senior poster who would hold more memories than most or all of us. As an aside, on Robledo’s Wiki page, it pointed out how he got called up for Chile despite ‘speaking no Spanish’. But as he moved to Brampton at just 4 or 5 years old, I can just visualise his introduction to the team; ‘Eyup. Am George an av come from t’pit to lake footy wi yor buggers’.
As a young lad of sixteen or so I used to wait outside Oakwell after matches to collect autographs. George saw me after one game and kindly offered to take my autograph book permanently to get opposing teams autographs. When he went to Newcastle he wrote to me and offered to continue keeping in touch. Similarly when he went back to Chile. I now shortly reach the big 90 so delighted to keep in touch with his daughter.
Absolutely amazing story. Thank you for your reply. I think Glavin will always be remembered as our favourite son but Robledo and Blanchflower probably count as our biggest true legends.
Incredible, mate. Incredible support from yourself too. Hope you spend many more years supporting our beloved Reds & we turn things around so you can see some more success instead of the struggling we've endured recently.
