By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe have signed former Newcastle United front man Paul Robinson.
The 33-year-old Sunderland-born man arrives after a spell with relegated Jarrow Roofing last term – his second at the Boldon club – having already had Northern League experience with Horden CW after dropping out of the professional ranks in 2006.
SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ROBINSON IN OUR VIDEO VAULT
Robinson began his career as a trainee with Darlington but moved to St James’ Park in a £300,000 deal which also saw James Coppinger leave Feethams.
In only his second start for the Magpies in 1999, Robinson ploughed a lonely furrow up front in the rain as Toon boss Ruud Gullit controversially left star men Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson on the bench in a 2-1 home reverse to arch-rivals Sunderland. Gullit was sacked the next day.
Robinson made 14 appearances in the black and white of Newcastle, including one in the UEFA Cup, before moving to Wimbledon for a fee of £1.5m.
In three years with the Dons, Robinson mustered just four appearances, and spent more time out on loan, counting Burnley, Dundee United, Grimsby and Carlisle United as footballing stop-offs.
A move to Blackpool never really worked out and Robinson moved to Hartlepool in 2003 where he netted seven times in 31 appearances, including a hat-trick against former employers Grimsby.
Robinson had a spell with Whitley Bay sandwiched between a brief stint at both York and Torquay and in recent years also adds Consett, Hayes, Hendon, Windsor & Eton, Chesham and Didcot to his CV, before returning to Roofing in February, where despite his three goals in two late season victories, Richie McLoughlin’s side slipped from the top table of the Northern League.
