A much-loved family man, highly regarded accountant and passionate sportsman who was the chairman of Hampshire's Cricket Committee for many years has died aged 85.
David Robinson, known as Dave or Robo, was involved in the huge cricketing coup of bringing Shane Warne to Hampshire and helped organise benefit dinners for the likes of Robin Smith, Malcolm Marshall and Cardigan Connor.
He was a member of Hampshire’s Executive Committee at Northlands Road, taking over as Chairman of Cricket in 1997, a position he held until the move to the Rose Bowl in 2001.
READ MORE: Tribute to Sparsholt cricket stalwart of 70 years
Son James said: "I remember being round his house when he took a phone call. He casually said 'that was good news, that was Shane Warne and he has agreed to play for Hampshire in the summer'!
"Dad threw himself into watching cricket and his roles at Hampshire. He loved keeping busy, organising players' benefit dinners.
"To me it was all about the incredible friends and relationships he built through sport and how that transitioned into work. I am sure he had sporting rivals, maybe some enemies, but I would like to think that stayed on the pitch and there was always respect and a pint of something after the game.
"I loved to hear the stories when he met old friends around the grounds about how they would try to knock his proverbial head off but it was always said with a smile on their face and a handshake."
David, who grew up in Poole, played both football and cricket for the town, as well as minor counties cricket for Dorset and football for Christchurch.
Professionally, he was senior partner with Prince Croft & Ball (now PKF Francis Clark) accountants.
Alongside his family, David’s passion was always sport, playing football in the winter and switching to cricket when spring arrived.
Even when he was working in London, David returned home each weekend to play cricket on his Vespa scooter.
David followed his grandson Tom around the grounds of Dorset playing youth and senior cricket for Poole and Dorset before he moved to play for David’s arch rivals Bournemouth.
He was a regular spectator on the boundary edge at Chapel Gate, greeting everyone with a warm smile.
David's funeral will take place at Tappers in Lytchett Minster on Monday May 20 at 10.30am.
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