Profile Tuesday – George Robledo

The first overseas player to become the top goal scorer in the English top division in the 1951-52 season. Having refused to join Newcastle Utd unless they also signed his brother, George Robledo went on to form, arguably, Newcastle’s greatest ever striking partnership alongside Jackie Milburn.

Born:        14^th April 1926 –  Iquique, Chile                                    Position:   Inside Forward

Club Career:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Years                       Team                                                        Apps                      Gls                                                                                                   1946 – 1949        Barnsley                                                  105                       (45)                                                                                           1949 – 1953        Newcastle Utd                                    146                       (82)                                                                                             1953 – 1958        Colo – Colo                                            153                       (84)

International Career:                                                                                                                                                                                                1950 -1957           Chile                                                           31                          (8)

Career Profile:

Strong, quick, thick set and very difficult to knock of the ball he was a grafter, always chasing the ball and committing to strong tackles. Not considered a natural, George was prepared to work hard to turn himself into a good footballer.

Not fancy, but capable in the air he also possessed a wonderful eye for goal and a shot that was reminiscent of a bullet leaving a gun.

Winner of back to back FA Cups in 1951 and 1952 he was the first South American to play in a FA Cup final when Newcastle beat Blackpool 2 – 0. The following season Newcastle beat Arsenal in the Final, with George scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win at Wembley.

The 1951-52 season also saw George score 39 goals in all competitions hitting 33 in the First Division, to Milburn’s 28, making George the leading goalscorer.

Returning to Chile in 1953, he signed for Colo-Colo of Santiago where he again played alongside his brother and became the top scorer in the Chilean Primera Division in 1953 and 1954 on the way to winning the league in 1953 and 1956 and the Copa Chile in 1958.

Capped by his country 31 times over 7 years, George played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil making his debut against England and scoring in Chiles 5-2 victory over the United States.

Time Vault Soccer doff’s it’s cap to this Newcastle Utd and Chilean Legend with a representation of the 1951-52 FA Cup winning season.

Time Vault Soccer Profile:

Position:              Attack                                                                      Rating:                 1 Star                                                                          Skill Stats:           ATTACK    6          DEFEND 1                       Special:                 N/A

Season Stats:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Year                         Team                                App                Gls                  Hons                                                                                                            1951 – 1952         Newcastle Utd            46     (0)        39    (0)        FAC

Note: First edition cards have incorrect stats for George, sorry George! App 39 and Gls 33 are league stats only.

Strategy Tip:  A one star wonder attacker who knows where the goal is, no nonsense, reliable and steadfast who won’t deplete your “star rating cap” in tournament play.

Features in: “Debut 50’s Expansion Squad –  Card No: 53/64”

Figures in (Italics) = stats for their National side.