Thou Shall Not Pass (The Alistair Robertson Story)

A legend at West Bromwich Albion and icon at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Alistair Robertson is a rare footballer who can walk tall either side of a bitter Black Country divide. The tough-tackling Scot spent 18 years at Albion, gaining promotion under Johnny Giles and becoming a rock during the club’s heyday from the mid-1970s alongside skipper John Wile. Ultimately, Ron Atkinson’s entertainers fell short, though not before they had blazed a trail at home and abroad and the likes of Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham, and Bryan Robson had thrilled a nation. He experienced early struggles under Don Howe, and other managers earned his ire. But that was nothing to a dislike of Ron Saunders, who forced him out of the club in tears. Robertson recovered to lead an ailing Wolves to two league titles and a Wembley victory in a team spearheaded by Steve Bull’s goals. Then there’s the drinking culture that united players but almost cost him his life at the height of his fame.