It is with great sadness that we here pay tribute to our former timekeeper, and lifelong Salford supporter, Norman Robinson, who passed away in the early hours of the 22nd September, aged 88.
Norman was brought up within close proximity to The Willows – in Laurel Grove to be precise – where his father, Joe, had always been a keen Salford supporter, despite two of his family preferring the attractions of Station Rd, Swinton, as a consequence of their all attending the home games of both teams, on alternate weeks, as the fixture lists cleverly arranged season after season, while the remaining four retained their allegiance to the Red Devils.
It was in 1981 that Norman was approached by Salford’s previous timekeeper to take over the role, which he did with great accomplishment until his own retirement, in 2017. It cannot be overstated the level of responsibility that the position carried in those days, with the outcome of the game often being in the balance right up to final whistle, which, like today, only came after the first tackle of break in play, after the sounding of the timekeepers’ claxon.
Far from being a role of conflict, working as he did alongside his opposite number from the opposing club, the position was one of co-operation, which was achieved by the two of them working together throughout the match, stopping and starting their stopwatches on the referee’s indication simultaneously, then constantly checking that they were both in agreement throughout each half.
The naturally placid and friendly demeanour of Norman made him absolutely ideal for the post, though he would never have allowed anyone to take advantage of him, to Salford’s detriment. Indeed, over the years many of the timekeepers became really good friends, after meeting up twice a year – home and away – over numerous seasons. Norman became particularly good friends with the timekeeper of Wigan, and they would meet up, often with their respective wives, on other occasions, and he was also friendly with the representative for Wakefield, who has kept in constant touch with Norman, visiting him at his home in Llandudno, both before and after Norman’s retirement from his position.
Over the forty-six seasons he undertook the responsibility, Norman had the pleasure of officiating, from the stand, at several high-profile games, such as Salford’s involvement in a number Challenge Cup semi-finals, not least the heartbreaking last-five-minute loss to Sheffield at Headingley, in 1997. Probably, the three most significant games of all were the 1990 Lancashire Cup Final defeat by Widnes, at Wigan, and our two winning Divisional Premiership Finals at Old Trafford, over Halifax in 1991, and Keighley Cougars in 1996, both of which secured Salford’s return to the upper echelons of the sport.
The impact of his commitment to Salford was so high that it even affected other members of his family, with his wife, Norma, being involved preparing the players refreshments for after each home game and even serving these to them, and then, in more recent times, his grandson, Danny, donned the guises of Dare Devil Duck, Ignito, and eventually the extremely popular mascot, Doctor Devil.
In 2003, Norman and moved to Llandudno, and with the club once more in the lower division and considerably more travelling to away matches, in Cumbria and Humberside, on top of his own journey from North Wales, he decided to limit his involvement to home matches only, thereafter, and even after relinquishing the position with which he had been affiliated, he continued to attend home matches up to the pandemic. His support for the Red Devils never wavered, however, and even in hospital, two weeks ago, he sat watching the Huddersfield v Salford game, on an Ipad, willing a Salford victory, though unfortunately without success on this occasion.
The contribution which Norman made to the club over all his time with us cannot be overestimated, and it must be said that his passing is a very great loss to the club, and all those who knew him, and worked alongside him. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends, at this difficult time.
Details of Norman’s funeral have not yet been finalised, but, once known, will be published here.
