Postcards from Santiago The George Robledo Story – The First Overseas Star of English Football
Long before Erling Haaland, Thierry Henry and Eric Cantona, there was George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football. Abandoned by his father as a child in Chile, Robledo came to the UK, where he was raised in a Yorkshire mining village, serving underground as a ‘Bevin Boy’ during the Second World War prior to making his name with Barnsley. During the 1951–52 season, his thirty-three goals for Newcastle United in what is now the Premier League were the most goals scored in a single season by an overseas registered, foreign-born player, a record that has stood unbroken for over seventy years – despite what the record books might say.
Postcards from Santiago is the poignant, inspiring story of Robledo’s remarkable journey from the moon-like wastes of the Atacama Desert to the cover of John Lennon’s 1974 album Walls and Bridges, via Wembley glory and the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Where, in England’s first ever World Cup match, Robledo became the first Football League player from outside the British Isles to face England in an official international.
Featuring interviews with family, friends and admirers, this fascinating biography is the definitive account of a man who overcame immense hardship and heartache to become a sporting trailblazer in his adopted homeland and a national hero in his native Chile.
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Reviews
“A remarkable story, remarkably told.”
Des Lynam
“This is some story. One of bravery, adventure, glory and disappointment, the trailblazing tale of the first overseas superstar of English football is beautifully recalled here by Spencer Vignes, invoking the memories of family, friends and those who saw him in action. George Robledo’s is a unique story in our sporting heritage.”
Jim White, Daily Telegraph
“Spencer Vignes uses exhaustive research and genuine wit to passionately chronicle the captivating life story – never mind footballing tale – of a little-known English football legend who deserves far wider recognition. A must-read book for football and non-football fans alike.”
Chris Waugh, The Athletic
“Spencer Vignes is the first to take a shot at telling the remarkable story of George Robledo, and he’s scored emphatically.”
Ashley Ball, Barnsley Chronicle
“A terrific biography … Vignes’ zippy and well-structured book, with chapters named for John Lennon songs, leaves the reader in no doubt that Robledo was one of the greatest overseas players to have enriched English football.”
When Saturday Comes
“From the author of Bloody Southerners, about the Clough and Taylor years at Brighton, Postcards from Santiago is a triumph … Through painstaking research and interviews with friends, admirers and family, including George’s daughter Elizabeth, Vignes has put together a wonderful, sometimes happy, sometimes sad story.”
Backpass magazine
“A beautifully delivered tale of a proper trailblazer.”
Jim White, The Oldie
“A remarkable book.”
Daily Express
“Lifts the lid on a forgotten sporting trailblazer with an unlikely rock and roll claim to fame.”
FourFourTwo
“A sporting story for the ages.”
Adrian Chiles, BBC Radio 5 Live
“A wonderful wealth of detail to savour.”
Matt Barlow, Daily Mail
“An absolutely brilliant book.”
Paul Ross, talkSPORT
“Hats off to Spencer Vignes for his excellent biography of George Robledo, who became the first overseas star of English football … Simpler times, but well worth recording.”
Late Tackle
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Buy this book
- Hardback, 320 pages
- ISBN: 9781785909740
- 8 April 2025
- £20.00
- eBook
- ISBN: 9781837360048
- 8 April 2025
- £14.99