Carl Robinson

Wales football international

Born:

13 OCT 1976

Place of Birth:

Llandrindod Wells

Biography:

Carl Robinson was a key midfield player in the Wales international football squad, with more than 50 caps to his credit before his retirement from international football in April 2009.

Born in the spa town of Llandrindod Wells, Robinson showed promise as a footballer from an early age. The first team he played for was Rhayader's Under 11s and as a youngster, he was a regular at the Ian Rush tournament held annually at Aberystwyth.

Robinson first represented his country as a member of the Wales Under 21s squad. His talent was spotted by Wolverhampton Wanderers who took him on as a trainee in 1995 when he was 18 years old.

Robinson played his first match for Wolves during the 1996-97 season and spent a further six seasons with the club before joining Portsmouth in July 2002.

He made his full honours debut for his country in March 2001 in Wales' World Cup qualifying match against the Ukraine. His performance on the turf of the Millenium Stadium earned him the title of Man of the Match.

In January 2003, the midfielder went on a month's loan from Portsmouth to Sheffield Wednesday and then to Walsall for five months.

Throughout the 2003-04 season, Robinson struggled to break into Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp's first team and spent three months on loan to Sunderland during this time. On 10 June 2004, he signed a two-year deal with the Black Cats and headed north from Pompey's Fratton Park to the Stadium of Light.

He was signed by Norwich on a six-week loan deal in November 2005 and in January 2006, he agreed to join the club on a two and a half year contract for a fee of around £50,000.

On January 31, 2007, Robinson joined Toronto FC from Norwich after just over a year at Carrow Road

He announced his retirement from International Football after Wales 2-0 defeat to Germany in a World Cup Qualifier in 1 April 2009. Robinson won his 52nd and final Welsh cap in the 2-0 defeat to Finland four days before the German game. (See the full story in BBC Sport...)

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Check out our Llandrindod Wells town guide.

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your comments

Eifion Richards. Builth Wells
I once saw Carl in the Candyman in L'dod. I said "Hi Carl" and he said hello back to me. He then bought a Curly Wurly and a Sherbert Dip. It was the proudest moment of my life.
Mon Apr 27 09:53:44 2009

Mike Evans, Newark
I played football for Llandrindod Grammar with Carl's dad Phillip a long time ago and then against his dad in Mid Wales League South later. A chip off the old block. Good times eh Robbo!
Mon Jan 26 14:54:36 2009

Builth wells
His brother coached me footy when i was 7.
Thu Nov 15 11:57:44 2007

Carl, Builth
he is a good player dnt c him much on tv bt i heard he is gd
Thu Nov 15 11:43:46 2007

Michael Robinson ( Birmingham )
I have family who live in here in Llandod and are good pool and dart players, check them out we are a big family, hi Scott, Kris, Perry, June, see you all soon.
Wed Nov 29 12:18:30 2006

Sam Gomm from Llanfair Caereinion
I played in the same team as him in the u13s and u14.s, and the county team. In the u13s, we beat everybody and won a lot of things together. also played in tours with him (ian rush/highland tour)and my favourite was the aberdeen tour in 1990. We had a lot of fun in scotland. Anyway, just wanted to say Carl is a brilliant footie player and always was. I have seen him play for Wales on tv many time. Great stuff. I'm glad I played with him when I was younger. keep up the good work.
Wed Mar 1 08:25:54 2006

Sophie from Llandrindod
I also think it's quite cool that someone with such talent shares the same home town with me.
Tue Sep 13 11:16:33 2005

Vicky Butler
Carl lived with my nan and grandad whilst playing for Wolves. One of the nicest people around, my family absolutely love him and regularly keep in contact. The boy has gone from strength to strength and I love him.
Sat Aug 6 12:53:33 2005

David from Llandrindod wells
I think it is quite cool that someone famous came from my home town. I've met Carl a few times when he came to visit his brother (who is my old P.E. teacher) at my school (Llandrindod High School)
Thu Mar 3 12:08:52 2005

Dicky, Llanidloes
I played in the same county team as Carl (U'13 & U'15's) and to be fair you could always tell he was a class above the rest. He's done well for himself and has not let his country down when called upon. Good luck to him, its about my only claim to fame!!
Tue Mar 1 13:46:28 2005

natalie from south shields
i regularly go to sunderlands stadium of light to watch my team play and i think this season carl Robinson is a key player in the squad if not one of the best. He creates chances and puts up a fight to win! He is an excellent footballer and im glad he plays for us!
Sat Oct 2 20:45:25 2004

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