Robinson still in shock at Eagles’ Premier League return

Not even in his wildest dreams did Paul Robinson expect to be back in the Premier League.

Having spent the best part of three seasons in the football wilderness, the former Leeds, Tottenham and Blackburn stopper made his return against Manchester City last month, his first top flight game in four years.

And his time on the pitch has not been limited to just the one outing, also playing in the weekend’s loss to Stoke City.

While his two games to date have both ended in defeat, it’s made little difference to the mood of the 37-year-old, delighted to finally have the chance to open up about his return to football’s elite.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“It was a nice feeling [being back in the Premier League], the icing on the cake having decided to come back,” said Robinson.

“I made the decision about a year or so ago to have some time out of the game, so to come back into training and getting back at this level is a massive achievement for myself.

“I thought the Premier League had passed me by, but I joined a group with a winning mentality in January that went 23 games unbeaten in the Championship, and when the manager offered me a return it was a no-brainer.

“It was everything I could have hoped for when I decided to come back.

“I completely fell out of love with football, the way things ended at Blackburn and the way I was treated I didn’t want to play. But I realised I had to get myself fit again, back at the gym and be able to train with a team.”