Although a tumultuous season for Ulster rugby ended on a somewhat positive note against Ospreys last weekend, the province has suffered further loss today with the departure of popular physio, Gareth Robinson.
Working with Ulster for the past 18 seasons, Robinson tweeted out a brief goodbye message this morning.
Last Sunday...and 18 seasons later...my final whistle. Goodbye and thankyou to all @UlsterRugby and our amazing supporters. I will miss you. Keep standing up and remembering Nevin. GG pic.twitter.com/rPAr9m33fF
— Gareth Robinson (@ggphysio) May 25, 2018
Making special note of Nevin Spence, a 22-year-old player with the province when he tragically died in 2012, it was this kind of selflessness that had endeared Robinson so dearly.
And one of the other reasons @ggphysio was the man he was. He made sure we would always remember Nevin Spence. This was his medical bag pic.twitter.com/8kyoPX7V0v
— richard mulligan (@r_mulligan1) May 25, 2018
Robinson's surprise departure only adds to the enormous exodus the province will have to contend with ahead of next season.
With their head coach Jonno Gibbes already leaving, both Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding departed the province after the IRFU opted to revoke their contracts earlier this year.
Beyond this, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble and Paul Marshall all retired, while Charles Piutau, Robbie Diack and Callum Black are also on the way out.
The response to Robinson's decision to end his tenure with the province has been met with plenty of shock, gratitude and sadness.
What a servant to Ulster Rugby. Thanks for everything, GG! pic.twitter.com/3GNSJVdFOi
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 25, 2018
surely @UlsterRugby should have given @ggphysio a send off worthy of 18 years service - one of the most passionate Ulstermen I know.#GGtestimonial pic.twitter.com/GKQs1PgDA8
— richard mulligan (@r_mulligan1) May 25, 2018
Nobody does it better. pic.twitter.com/gaZ8zqlqJM
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) May 25, 2018
Magician Physio to keep my busted arse on the field, legendary man who gave me history lessons on the red hand and how to SUFTUM, converted me to Man U and George Best. Some of the best memories of my life with the Geeg by my side. #therecanbeonlyonegg
— Justin Harrison (@googharrison) May 25, 2018
The greatest compliment I can give GG is #alwayswithus
— Mark Purse (@rugby1968) May 25, 2018
@ggphysio you will be really missed by all the @UlsterRugby fans. I for one will always remember Nev. Good luck in the future.#alwayswithus
— Stephen McCaugherty (@s_mccaugherty) May 25, 2018
During a time of great change for the province, this loss seems to have hit many Ulster fans quite hard.
