Image: David Mullins Sports Photography
Brisbane Roar have appointed former Ballarat Red Devils and Melbourne Victory man James Robinson as the club’s youth coach.
The former Crewe Alexandra youth played in Iceland and non-league football in England before signing for Richmond SC in State League One in 2006.
After a prolific stint helping his club to promotion he caught the attention of Melbourne Victory, where he initially signed as a train-on.
His only goal for Victory came in the 92nd against Adelaide United in the 2007 A-League semi-final to send Victory through to their first A-League Grand Final, where he remains a cult hero.
He had later stints at Marconi Stallions and then Perth Glory and North Queensland Fury in the A-League, followed by Oakleigh, Bulleen, Dandenong Thunder in Victoria.
Most recently he coached Ballarat Red Devils, where he was awarded the NPL2 coach of the year in 2015 after the club was relegated from the top flight in 2014.
The popular character helped the playing squad overcome a period of backroom tumult at the club in 2016 to lead the team to a respectable sixth place in a hotly contested West division.
The 33-year-old replaces the outgoing Josh McCloughan at Roar’s youth coach.
Robinson received approval from coach Brisbane head coach John Aloisi, who was familiar with his former counterpart while involved with Melbourne Victory’s NPL side before becoming Roar’s manager.