Challenge Cup Competition - Victorian Football AssociationDOB: Circa 1855
DOD: December 08 1933
Height:
Weight: 17st / 108kg
Vice President: 1895
Carlton Captain 1880, 1881.
Vice Captain 1878, 1879.
Career: 1872-1881.
George W. Robertson, "the steam roller" also "Sir Herky."
George was known for his famous war cry, "Forward, Carlton." (Geelong Advertiser Jan 20 1923 p11)
Former Umpire P. H. Roy said, "Robertson was a 17 st giant who followed the ball all day."
(Daily News WA June 17 1927 p8)
The Argus, August 01 1908 had an article on 50 years of football, in it it said;
"George Robertson, a player blessed with all the magnificent physical development, remarkable activity for a burly man, and limitless staying power".
1872 "Whose burly form of strength and activity are a valuable support to the light forwards of the team".
Robertson always had a keen sense of humour it is related of him that on the occasion of a hotly contested game, when two or three men were spread eagled on the ground, he exclaimed in tragic tones,
"Remove the dead and let the play proceed".
Players and spectators were convulsed with laughter.
(The Herald June 14 1919.)
1875 G. Robertson named in The Argus as playing in a Carlton First Twenty side against a Carlton 25 team in a scratch match at Royal Park on Saturday 8th. May.
1875 Robust and strong, he turns his weight to good advantage, a good kick.
(The Footballer 1875. p27)
1876 Kicks, dodges, marks well.
(The Footballer. 1875. p35)
1877 Very much improved, plucky cool, and hard to knock over, very active in the ruck, and effective in general play; a splendid drop kick.
(The Footballer 1877. p35)
1878 Has advanced to the first rank of players, excels as a follower where his weight, stamina, and quickness to utilise the opportunity has combined to make him invaluable.(The Footballer 1878. p31)
G. Robertson played in both the Carlton-Waratah (Rugby) and the (Australian Football) exhibition games at the M.C.G. 30 June, and 1 July 1878.
G. Robertson scored 1 goal during the 1878 season.
(The Footballer 1878. p75)
1879 Vice Captain; A really wonderful fine tempered player - considering his weight. As active as a "sprite", and stands not on the order of kicking, but kicks at once. Has great endurance, and is a follower "par excellence".
(The Footballer 1879. p29)
1879 One of the mainstays of the team.
1880 Interstate representative and the captain, "a perfect Hercules in play" and one of the best Carlton men
for the 1880 season.
1880 June 26
George was in Sydney and was named to play for the Waratah club against the Wallaroos at Moore Park.
This probably was a rugby game as the Sydney Daily Telegraph (p6) has 15 and 16 men named respectively.
Monday's report said that "owing to certain objections", George was not allowed to play.
1881 Captain and another to shine during the 1881 season, " imbibed with a spirit that should actuate all true players, the general weal not self ".
(Centenary Souvenir of Carlton Football Club. p15)
1881 Robertson, G. W. (Captain) - Imbued with a spirit that should actuate all true players, the general weal, not self; as captain in expecting his team at all times to be imbued with a kindred feeling, has possibly erred, but this was no justification for "croakers" to rail against the effort of his determined, skilful and manly play when not rewarded with succes; after all nothing succeeds like success.
(The Footballer 1881. p23)
1882 May 24 Wednesday
George Robertson umpired the Hotham - Geelong match at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground.
1882
The Sportsman newspaper, June 14, mentions that there may be a match between the South Yarra and Northcote clubs played on the M.C.G. If it goes ahead, the umpire will be Carlton's George Robertson.
1889 August 17
George Roberston played for the Blues in an ex players match against former Pivotonians at Geelong to raise money for the local hospital.
1895 April 5
At the Carlton AGM, G. Robertson was elected as co Vice President of the club.
1914 January 19
"Among the latest visitors to Perth is Mr. George Robertson, whom all old Victorians will remember as one of the pillars of football, cricket, and baseball in Victoria. Some forty years ago Mr. Robertson became connected with the Carlton Club, and was one of the leading players when the names of Colonel Robertson, "Billy" Lacey, George Coulthard, "Jack" Donovan, and "Paddy" Gunn were names to conjure with in the football world. Since then Mr. Robertson has been the president of the club for several years, and has also been intimately associated with the M.C.C. when under the guidance of Major Wardill. Mr. Robertson who is staying at the Esplanade Hotel, is returning to Victoria by the Warilda on Wednesday." (Daily News p3)
1923 July 6 (p4)
"Old Boy" of The Argus wrote about the best footballers to have played and mentions George Robertson among the Carlton champions of the early 1880's.
1924 September 2
The Argus (page 9) has a photo of a group of former players meeting with the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to arrange an old players match in aid of the Lord Mayor's Hospital Fund.
Amongst this group are two former Carlton players, George Bell and G. Robertson.
1925
The Sporting Globe January 03 writes about George at the Test Match at the MCG.
Recalling Carlton's 1881 visit to Adelaide, the Globe says;
"King George (then a midshipman) was an interested spectator. After the match he sent for Robertson, and the young Prince complimented the Carlton skipper on the manner in which he handled his team."
Both Robertson and Gardiner would have been in approx 79, and Marshall 89 years of age.
1932
"Old Boy" writing in The Argus August 12 (p12) about past players quotes The Footballer's write up about George.
George Robertson (Carlton) - "A really wonderful fine tempered player - considering his weight. As active as a sprite and stands not on the order of kicking, but kicks at once. Has great endurance, and is a follower par excellence."
1932 September 03
Jack Worrall writing in the Australasian;
"A man that made a name for himself as an umpire in the early days was George Robertson, the old Carltonian. When his playing days were over such was his love for the pastime that he became an amateur adjudicator, and though an old Carlton player was paid the compliment by Melbourne and other clubs of being always asked for his services in their games against Carlton. He was the first man to throw the ball in from out of bounds when facing the players. He is a hardy annual, is the old Carltonian, a rare lover of clean sport, one who regards knocks and danger as the salt of life.
On one memorable occasion when he was in charge, a player received such a terrible spill from a shoulder thrust that he lay prone, unable to move, and play kept in the vicinity of the stricken player for some considerable time, the contestants frequently jumping over prostrate form in an endeavour to get the ball. At last he got on the nerves of one of the players, who excitedly rushing up to the umpire, exclaimed, "Umpire, umpire, stop the game, the man is dead." George Robertson looked sternly at what he regarded as a degenerate for a moment or two, and then, waving his arms towards the pavilion, sang out in stentorian tones, "Remove the dead; let the game proceed," an order that was obeyed literally.
As it turned out the man was not dead, but only unconscious, but, as the veteran said, "Fancy being asked to stop a grand game just because a man was killed." He was so annoyed and disgusted that he struck the interjector off his list of acquaintances."
1933 December 08
George Robertson died as a result of a fire which broke out at his Parkville boarding house on Friday night.
He was severely burned and taken to the Epworth Hospital where he died.
Robertson was Carlton captain in 1880 and 1881.
He was also president of the Carlton Cricket Club for many years.
George Robertson was unmarried.
His brothers, Colonel Robert Robertson & Val. Robertson also played with Carlton.
The Robertson brothers were the sons of R. Robertson and Sons manufacturing jewellers of 379 Little Collins Street Melbourne.
1944 April 22
I remember one evening after a day at a Test match leaving the Melbourne Cricket Club's ground across that stretch of bitumen road which used to be the Melbourne football ground.
As I climbed the hill I saw George Robertson, the old Carlton champion, sitting on a seat gazing across the ground, and I said, "What are you doing?" and his reply was "Ghosts! Ghosts! Nothing but Ghosts, and, by Jove, they are all alive!"
He was conjuring up memories of great struggles, of loyal comrades, and doughty opponents, and to him they were still alive.
I have played over again matches of long ago in my lonely walks around the ground. No, they were not lonely for I seemed to bring the old fellows back.
(OLD BOY Australasian p31)
ARGUS' OBITUARY
To read the full report;Click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11719507
AUSTRALASIAN'S OBITUARY
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141384116Footnote
George Robertson used to umpire matches. The Leader newspaper May 09 1914 said that one of his catch phrases when umpiring and players were injured, was, "Carry off the dead."
THE COUNT, THE COLONEL, AND THE BOOZER.
A descendant of the Robertson brothers contacted the club with a photo of the Robertson family.Carlton historian Tony De Bolfo put together this story.
www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2014-05-08/the-count-the-colonel-and-the-boozer