Isthmian League chairman honoured to receive Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement award
By Phil Campbell, Sportsbeat
Pitching In Isthmian League chairman Nick Robinson was thrilled and surprised in equal measure as he was honoured with the Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement award at the National Game Awards in association with Isuzu.
Robinson has had a long and storied career within non-league football, and before becoming Isthmian League chairman, he held the roles of Dulwich Hamlet general secretary between 1975 to 1982, and then Isthmian League secretary until 2005.
The honour was kept secret from Robinson until the award ceremony and he expressed how humbled he was to be recognised by those who have also put many years of service into non-league football.
'I did not know anything until I heard, 'when your father was treasurer of a non-league club', that I thought, 'Oh hang on, that is me!',' he said.
'It is my 50th year in football this year, so it is amazing to receive such a recognition.'
Amidst a career of dedicated service to non-league football, Robinson was quick to highlight what he believed was his biggest achievement during his time involved with the Isthmian League, which forms part of Step 3 & 4 of the National League System, alongside both the Northern Premier League and Southern League.
'It has been incredible to see the change in non-league football over those years,' he continued.
'In 1975, the Isthmian League had two divisions, now it has four divisions comprising of 88 clubs.
'We used to have elections to determine promotions, now it is all automatic, right from Step 6 up to Step 1.
'You win a league; you get a promotion. It does not depend on somebody liking you or not liking you. And I think that is the biggest achievement of all my 50 years.
'I am very proud of that. We have now got a perfect pyramid, and I am very proud that I have been a part of being able to put that in place.'
The National Game Awards is a celebration of the non-league season - highlighting the community, fans, on-field, and off-field successes of the game outside of the English Football League.
The ceremony is held each year by the Non-League Paper, the UK's number one selling football title and the best place for your non-league news, with this year's event held at Plough Lane - home of AFC Wimbledon
And when asked whether he had any plans to step away from an active role within non-league football, Robinson was unequivocal in his response.
'No, no, no, absolutely not!' he said with a smile.
'I tried to see every club this year, and I think I failed by about three clubs, but I went to nearly 60 grounds.
'It is a commitment and sometimes you question it, but actually, I love it.
'You go along, you meet people, you shake hands with them, and you try and make a difference.
'It is all about talking to people and finding out what they want. It is not always achievable, but I will always try my best to help.'
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