
Ex-Leeds star suffers heart attack as club release update
Former Leeds United and Swansea City ace Andy Robinson has been hospitalised after suffering a heart attack. The winger was in hospital on Thursday afternoon after being taken ill earlier in the day.
Robinson, 45, spent five years with the Swans from 2003 until 2008 as they earned two promotions before making the move to play for Leeds United. Spells with Tranmere Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County and Ammanford - where he linked up with former team-mate Lee Trundle - followed before he featured for Rock Ferry Social.
The Swans legend has maintained a presence around the club having become a pundit for BBC Sport Wales in the aftermath of his professional career. The Welsh side were first to confirm the news.
" Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today," Swansea said on social media.
"Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. We're all with you Robbo."
Leeds said: "Now in a stable condition, everyone at #LUFC wishes former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery, after he suffered a heart attack earlier today."
Tranmere posted: "Everyone at Tranmere Rovers wishes our former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery after he suffered a heart attack this morning.
"He's now in a stable condition in hospital. All the best, Robbo."
Robinson played 226 times for Swansea and scored 54 goals on his way to becoming a crucial part of the club's folklore. The attacker helped the Swans achieve promotion from League Two in 2004/05, their final season at Vetch Field.
And Robinson became the last player to score at the ground in important circumstances. He netted the winning goal in the FAW Premier Cup final against Wrexham.
The club legend then helped the club earn Football League Trophy honours in 2006 before being a central part of the team under Roberto Martinez. Robinson was key in helping Swansea win the League One title in 2007/08.
However, Robinson left Swansea to join Leeds United that summer but missed out on Championship football. After accepting an offer from the Yorkshire club, Leeds failed to overcome Doncaster in the play-off final and as a result remained in League One.
Robinson played 50 times for Leeds in a tough period after a number of injuries in his first season with the club. Two loan spells at Tranmere Rovers followed before he made the move to Prenton Park on a permanent basis in 2011 - he made more than 100 appearances and scored 19 goals for the Wirral club.
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So we knew there was something going on. As footballers, you just train and play. But there was a big difference from when I had first joined the club. It wasn't being run as well. I could see the change.' He continued, 'The club was in such a negative place when I left. They were talking about the move to Kelty, then the financial problems arose and after that there was administration. It is really good to see how positive it all is now. 'I think they're going to do really well this season, I think they will get promotion. It will be good to see them get back into the Championship and then see where they can go from there.' Doran, who originally hails from Inchicore in Dublin and who represented the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as a young man, has come an awfully long way, both geographically and professionally, since leaving school and joining Blackburn Rovers back in 2008. (Image: SNS Group Rob Casey) 'I came over when I was just 16,' he said. 'Irish players actually can't do that any longer due to Brexit and FIFA regulations. But one of my team mates in the side I played for in Dublin signed at the same time so that made the move a little bit easier. We lived in a big lodge on the training ground and a family looked after us. 'The first season I was there they were a UEFA Cup team so there were high standards. Mark Hughes was the manager when I first went in and then Paul Ince took over and Sam Allardyce came in after that. But I progressed pretty quickly from the academy to the reserves to the first team. 'It all happened really quickly for me. I made my debut when I was 17. The guys I have played with over the years are probably sick of hearing me talk about it, but I played for Blackburn at the Etihad Stadium, at Stamford Bridge and at Anfield in the Premier League. It was a really proud time for me. 'I made my debut against Liverpool in a game at Anfield that was live on Sky Sports. I came on after half-time. My family were watching on television back home and it was a really emotional moment for them. I thought I would stay involved at the highest level, but, unfortunately for me, it was not to be.' Maybe that should be fortunately. His association with Caley Thistle has been a long and profitable one for both parties. 'One day in January I was called into a room and told I was going to Inverness on loan,' he said. 'Jonny Hayes had scored for Caley Thistle in a 1-1 draw with Rangers the month before and I remembered it. So I knew a little bit about them. 'I Googled them and saw they were in third place in the Premiership. But I didn't know how far they were until I actually drove up. It was a bit of a shock. But they were in a great place at that time. 'Straight away, I loved it. I was young, I got into the starting XI and I played every week. There was a good young squad and I got along with all the other players. After my six months were up it was a pretty easy decision to sign for them. I had a few other options, but I thought it would be best to play as much as I can at my age. 'I have always been proud to be part of the team. We finished in the top six of the Premiership three years in a row, got to the League Cup final, won the Scottish Cup, played in Europe. We went toe to toe with the biggest clubs. We beat Celtic, we beat Rangers. To do all that with a club like Inverness was a great achievement.' Read more: The Scottish Cup win over Falkirk 10 years ago was unquestionably his greatest accomplishment. But the man who set up Watkins for the opener when he dinked the ball between advancing Falkirk defenders Kieran Duffie and David McCracken was almost left on the bench. 'Yogi [Hughes] had a bit of a headache about who to play that day,' said Doran. 'He worried about me getting back down the park sometimes and it was in his mind to play more of a defensive winger. But I got the nod and I was happy to contribute to the opening goal with a nice assist. 'I want to score, to provide an assist, to try and impress, to make things happen, every time I go out on the park. I think I did that on a few occasions. I did that day and was pleased. But I did the defensive work as well. 'We stopped off in a pub in Auchterarder on the way home afterwards and Yogi came up to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, 'I knew you'd pull it out of the bag for me'. I had what I was going to do when I got the ball in my head. I thought their centre-half was going to come out and leave half a yard of space. It worked out perfectly. 'On the training pitch, Yogi's definitely the best coach I've worked under. He wanted to play the football that I like to play. I think everybody learned a lot off him and became a better player. He was a joy to work with. Off the training ground, though, he was a bit of a headcase, a mad man. If you ever found yourself in his office with him you were always trying to get out as quickly as you could.' (Image: Paul Byars - SNS Group) Doran was never in any rush to get away from Inverness. Injuries unquestionably prevented him from achieving his enormous potential as a player. However, he turned down the opportunity to move on to larger clubs in both Scotland and England for more money on more than one occasion. The laidback way of life, the warmth of the people and the stunning scenery have suited this free spirit. 'I love the area,' he said. 'It's a beautiful part of the world to be. I prefer to be somewhere like Aviemore, where I live now, than Dublin or Manchester. I like the freedom that you have up here. Maybe that has a part to play in my longevity at Caley Thistle.' Doran confessed that leaving the relatively cossetted world of professional football and getting a real job for the first time in his adult life had been something of a shock to his system. 'The CEO of Strathspey is also the CEO of The MacKellar Group,' he said. 'He has really looked after me. But, yeah, it has definitely taken a bit of adjusting. I am out in the workshop now. I am learning every day. Everything I do is completely new to me.' Facing Ross County will hold no fears for Doran. He always raised his game for the Highland derby matches and found the target against the Dingwall men on a fair few occasions. It is one of many reasons why the cult hero is so loved in Inverness and will be given a warm send-off by Caledonian Thistle fans this afternoon in his final El Kessocko. 'I have scored more goals against County than any other team,' he said. 'I have scored a few nice ones too. I always enjoyed playing against them. They were the best opponents I could get for my testimonial. I am looking forward to it.'