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| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| fullname = Robert Fitzgerald Earle
| fullname = Robert Fitzgerald Earle<ref name="Kent"/>
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1965|1|27|df=y}}
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1965|1|27|df=y}}<ref name="Kent"/>
| cityofbirth = [[Newcastle-under-Lyme]]
| cityofbirth = [[Newcastle-under-Lyme]]
| countryofbirth = [[England]]
| countryofbirth = [[England]]<ref name="Kent"/>
| dateofdeath = <!--{{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|1965|1|27|df=y}}-->
| dateofdeath = <!--{{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|1965|1|27|df=y}}-->
| cityofdeath =
| cityofdeath =
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| position = [[Midfielder]]
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1981–1982| youthclubs1 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| youthyears1 = 1981–1982| youthclubs1 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| years1 = 1982–1991| clubs1 = [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]| caps1 = 294| goals1 = 77
| years1 = 1982–1991| clubs1 = [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]| caps1 = 294| goals1 = 77
| years2 = 1991–2000| clubs2 = [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]| caps2 = 284| goals2 = 59
| years2 = 1991–2000| clubs2 = [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]| caps2 = 284| goals2 = 59
| totalcaps = 578| totalgoals = 136
| totalcaps = 578| totalgoals = 136
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2000| nationalteam1 = [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]]| nationalcaps1 = 33| nationalgoals1 = 8
| nationalyears1 = 1997–2000| nationalteam1 = [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]]| nationalcaps1 = 33| nationalgoals1 = 8
}}
}}


'''Robert Fitzgerald''' "'''Robbie'''" '''Earle''' [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] (born 27 January 1965) is an English-born [[Jamaica]]n former [[Jamaica national football team|international]] [[Association football|football]]er who played as a [[midfielder]]. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.
'''Robert Fitzgerald''' "'''Robbie'''" '''Earle''' [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] (born 27 January 1965) is an English-born [[Jamaica]]n former [[Jamaica national football team|international]] [[Association football|football]]er who played as a [[midfielder]]. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.


A former youth player with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], Earle broke into the professional game with [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in 1982. He spent nine years at the [[Burslem]] based club, helping the Vale to promotion out of the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in [[1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season|1985–86]], and out of the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] via the play-offs in [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989]]; he was later voted the club's [[PFA Fans' Favourites]]. He moved on to [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] in 1991, where he also spent nine years. He made nearly 300 league games for each club, scoring 77 and 59 goals respectively. He also represented [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] on 33 occasions between 1993 and 2000, scoring eight international goals. He appeared in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]], scoring his nation's first ever goal in the finals.
A former youth player with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], Earle broke into the professional game with [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in 1982. He spent nine years at the [[Burslem]] based club, helping the Vale to promotion out of the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in [[1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season|1985–86]], and out of the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] via the play-offs in [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989]]; he was later voted the club's [[PFA Fans' Favourites]]. He moved on to [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] in 1991, where he also spent nine years. He made nearly 300 league games for each club, scoring 77 and 59 goals respectively. He also represented [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] on 33 occasions between 1997 and 2000, scoring eight international goals. He appeared in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]], scoring his nation's first ever goal in the finals.


Following his retirement in 2000, Earle has established himself in the world of football journalism. He regularly appears in print, on the radio and on television. He was dismissed from his punditry role with [[ITV]] in 2010 after he passed ITV [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tickets to a third party.<ref name="gsrb">{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Owen|title=World Cup 2010: ITV sacks Robbie Earle for breaking ticket regulations|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/15/world-cup-itv-robbie-earle|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=15 June 2010 | location=London | date=15 June 2010}}</ref> He is currently serving as television broadcast analyst for the [[Portland Timbers]] of [[Major League Soccer]].
Following his retirement in 2000, Earle has established himself in the world of football journalism. He regularly appears in print, on the radio and on television. He was dismissed from his punditry role with [[ITV]] in 2010 after he passed ITV [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tickets to a third party.<ref name="gsrb">{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Owen|title=World Cup 2010: ITV sacks Robbie Earle for breaking ticket regulations|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/15/world-cup-itv-robbie-earle|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=15 June 2010 | location=London | date=15 June 2010}}</ref> He is currently serving as television broadcast analyst for the [[Portland Timbers]] of [[Major League Soccer]].


==Club career==
==Club career==
⚫
===Port Vale===
An attacking midfielder, Earle was originally a junior player at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. After suffering from a broken leg he was released from Stoke, at which point he was snapped up by Stoke's [[Potteries derby|local rivals]] [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]], where he turned professional in 1982.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|date=2010|pages=5|isbn=9780752457772}}</ref><ref name="Kent"/>
An attacking midfielder, Earle was originally a junior player at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. After suffering from a broken leg he was released from Stoke, at which point he was snapped up by Stoke's [[Potteries derby|local rivals]] [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]], where he turned professional in 1982.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|title=The Port Vale Miscellany|publisher=The History Press|location=Brimscombe Port|date=2010|pages=5|isbn=9780752457772}}</ref><ref name="Kent"/>


⚫
===Port Vale===
Earle made his Port Vale debut in a 1–0 defeat at [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] on 28 August 1982, earning a regular first team place in August 1984. An ever-present in the [[1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season|1985–86]] [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] promotion squad, he made 142 consecutive appearances between September 1984 and January 1987, the run coming to an end due to a [[groin]] [[Strain (injury)|strain]]. The strain led to a [[hernia]] operation in the autumn of 1987, but he returned to first team action in January 1988. A regular in the [[1988–89 Port Vale F.C. season|1988–89]] season, he scored both goals of the [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989 play-off final]] that took Vale through to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] on aggregate.<ref name="Kent">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=92|year=1996|isbn=0952915200|url=http://www.amazon.ca/Port-Vale-Personalities-Jeff-Kent/dp/0952915200}}</ref> After the match Earle wept in the tunnel, such was his emotions to have taken his local team to victory in the play-off final.
Earle made his Port Vale debut in a 1–0 defeat at [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] on 28 August 1982, earning a regular first team place in August 1984. An ever-present in the [[1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season|1985–86]] [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] promotion squad, he made 142 consecutive appearances between September 1984 and January 1987, the run coming to an end due to a [[groin]] [[Strain (injury)|strain]]. The strain led to a [[hernia]] operation in the autumn of 1987, but he returned to first team action in January 1988. A regular in the [[1988–89 Port Vale F.C. season|1988–89]] season, he scored both goals of the [[1989 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1989 play-off final]] that took Vale through to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] on aggregate.<ref name="Kent">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=92|year=1996|isbn=0952915200|url=http://www.amazon.ca/Port-Vale-Personalities-Jeff-Kent/dp/0952915200}}</ref> After the match Earle wept in the tunnel, such was his emotions to have taken his local team to victory in the play-off final.


In all, 'The Black Pearl', as he was affectionately known, played 357 times for the "Valiants" and scored 90 goals. He is considered one of the best midfielders ever to play for the club.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories|publisher=Witan Books|date=December 1991|pages=298|isbn=0950898163}}</ref> In July 1991 he was transferred to [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] for a fee of £775,000 (and 30% of any future transfer fee above that figure).<ref name="Kent"/>
In all, 'The Black Pearl', as he was affectionately known, played 357 times for the "Valiants" and scored 90 goals. A cult hero,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/4063429.stm|title=Port Vale's cult heroes |date=3 December 2004|work=[[Football Focus]]|accessdate=17 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> he is considered one of the best midfielders ever to play for the club.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories|publisher=Witan Books|date=December 1991|pages=298|isbn=0950898163}}</ref> In July 1991 he was transferred to [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] for a fee of £775,000 (and 30% of any future transfer fee above that figure).<ref name="Kent"/> It was later reported that Wimbledon chairman [[Sam Hammam]] had locked Earle in a room during transfer negotiations and only let him out when he agreed to sign for Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Newcastle-s-Freddy-Shepherd-Chelsea-s-Ken-Bates-Leeds-Peter-Ridsdale-Palace-s-Simon-Jordan-and-the-Top-10-crazy-football-chairman-article320687.html|title='But Mr Chairman, you're barking...!' The Top 10 crazy football club owners|last=Cruise|first=Ian|date=11 February 2010|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>

It was later reported that Wimbledon chairman [[Sam Hammam]] had locked Earle in a room during transfer negotiations and only let him out when he agreed to sign for Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Newcastle-s-Freddy-Shepherd-Chelsea-s-Ken-Bates-Leeds-Peter-Ridsdale-Palace-s-Simon-Jordan-and-the-Top-10-crazy-football-chairman-article320687.html|title='But Mr Chairman, you're barking...!' The Top 10 crazy football club owners|last=Cruise|first=Ian|date=11 February 2010|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|accessdate=12 August 2011}}</ref>


===Wimbledon===
===Wimbledon===
Earle played an important part in the South London club's success during the nineties, and in particular, the club's '[[Crazy Gang]]' mentality which fostered team spirit and intimidated opposing players. Earle was known for his late runs into the box and his ability at finishing and agility at heading the ball.
Earle played an important part in the South London club's success during the nineties, and in particular, the club's '[[Crazy Gang]]' mentality which fostered team spirit and intimidated opposing players. Earle was known for his late runs into the box and his ability at finishing and agility at heading the ball.


In his first season with the "Dons", he scored an impressive 14 league goals to secure the club's place in the newly formed [[Premier League]] for the [[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93 season]]. He was an ever present in the first two seasons in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 1992–93 and nine in [[1993–94 FA Premier League|1993–94]] – when Wimbledon finished a club best sixth in the final table. After injury limited him to nine goalless appearances in [[1994–95 FA Premier League|1994–95]] (when Wimbledon still finished ninth), he regained his fitness for the [[1995–96 FA Premier League|following season]] and his 11 goals went some way towards securing Wimbledon's survival in 15th place. He was appointed team [[Captain (association football)|captain]] in 1995.
In his first season with the "Dons", he scored an impressive 14 league goals to secure the club's place in the newly formed [[Premier League]] for the [[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93 season]]. He was an ever present in the first two seasons in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 1992–93 and nine in [[1993–94 FA Premier League|1993–94]] – when Wimbledon finished a club best sixth in the final table. After injury limited him to nine goalless appearances in [[1994–95 FA Premier League|1994–95]] (when Wimbledon still finished ninth), he regained his fitness for the [[1995–96 FA Premier League|following season]] and his 11 goals went some way towards securing Wimbledon's survival in 15th place. He was appointed team [[Captain (association football)|captain]] in 1995. In February 1997, he was handed the [[Premier League Player of the Month]] award.<ref name="P96">{{cite web |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061211025934/www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=466965&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb |title=Carling Premiership Player of the Month 1996/97 |archivedate=11 December 2006 |url=http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=466965&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb |accessdate=3 October 2009 |work=premierleague.com |publisher=[[Premier League]] }}</ref>


Earle's stamina and natural fitness were a big part of his game, and his consistency in the first five seasons at the Dons led to calls for international recognition. He was called up to [[England national football team|England]] squad on two occasions but never earned a cap, and eventually ended up playing for Jamaica.
Earle's stamina and natural fitness were a big part of his game, and his consistency in the first five seasons at the Dons led to calls for international recognition. He was called up to [[England national football team|England]] squad on two occasions but never earned a cap, and eventually ended up playing for Jamaica.
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==International career==
==International career==
Though English-born, Earle was eligible to play for [[Jamaica]] at [[Jamaica national football team|international level]] because of his Jamaican heritage. Before deciding to play for Jamaica in 1993, Earle was in fact once called up to the [[England national football team|England]] squad, but never actually played for the side. Earle was the scorer of Jamaica's first ever [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] finals goal, against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]], in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8736/report.html|title=Jamaica - Croatia|work=[[FIFA]]|accessdate=17 May 2009}}</ref>
Though English-born, Earle was eligible to play for [[Jamaica]] at [[Jamaica national football team|international level]] because of his Jamaican heritage. Before deciding to play for Jamaica in 1997, Earle was in fact once called up to the [[England national football team|England]] squad, but never actually played for the side. Earle was the scorer of Jamaica's first ever [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] finals goal, in a 3–1 defeat by [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] at the [[Stade Félix-Bollaert]], at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] in [[France]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8736/report.html|title=Jamaica - Croatia|work=[[FIFA]]|accessdate=17 May 2009}}</ref> He played in all three of the [[1998 FIFA World Cup Group H|Group H]] games, as Jamaica lost 5–0 to [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at [[Parc des Princes]] and beat [[Japan national football team|Japan]] 2–1 at [[Stade de Gerland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Argentina - Jamaica|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8752/report.html|work=[[FIFA]]|accessdate=17 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Japan - Jamaica|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8771/report.html|work=[[FIFA]]|accessdate=17 February 2012}}</ref>


==Media work==
==Media work==
Since his retirement, Earle has moved into sports journalism and has worked for [[GCap Media|Capital Radio]], [[BBC Radio 5 Live|Radio 5 Live]], [[BBC Sport|BBC]], [[ESPN]], [[ITV]], [[Sky Sports]] and [[ITV Digital|OnDigital]]. Earle was a regular pundit on [[ITV Sport|ITV's]] football coverage and occasionally joins the team on ''[[PressPass|ESPN PressPass]]''.<ref>[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Former-T-T-goalie-picks-Brazil--Spain-for-WCup-final_7677739 Former T&T goalie picks Brazil, Spain for WCup final] Jamaica Observer, 5 June 2010</ref> He has also written columns for the London ''[[Evening Standard]]'' and for the [[Stoke-on-Trent]] [[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|Evening Sentinel]].
Since his retirement, Earle has moved into sports journalism and has worked for [[GCap Media|Capital Radio]], [[BBC Radio 5 Live|Radio 5 Live]], [[BBC Sport|BBC]], [[ESPN]], [[ITV]], [[Sky Sports]] and [[ITV Digital|OnDigital]]. Earle was a regular pundit on [[ITV Sport|ITV's]] football coverage, as well as ''[[World Football Daily]]'', and occasionally joins the team on ''[[PressPass|ESPN PressPass]]''.<ref>[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Former-T-T-goalie-picks-Brazil--Spain-for-WCup-final_7677739 Former T&T goalie picks Brazil, Spain for WCup final] Jamaica Observer, 5 June 2010</ref> He has also written columns for the London ''[[Evening Standard]]'' and for the [[Stoke-on-Trent]] [[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|Evening Sentinel]].


In 2005, he took part on BBC's ''[[Strictly Come Dancing#Strictly African Dancing|Strictly African Dancing]]'' as part of ''Africa Lives'' season. He scored 33 and won the competition.
In 2005, he took part on BBC's ''[[Strictly Come Dancing#Strictly African Dancing|Strictly African Dancing]]'' as part of ''Africa Lives'' season; he scored 33 and won the competition. He also appeared in the 2007 edition of ''[[MasterChef (UK TV series)|MasterChef]]''.


In June 2010, he had his £150,000 a year contract with ITV cancelled for giving away [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tickets for the [[Netherlands national football team|Holland]] v [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] match. Meant for family and friends, he passed them onwards to a friend who then sold them to [[Bavaria Brewery (Netherlands)|Bavaria Brewery]]. The Brewery company orchestrated an [[ambush marketing]] event, in breach of [[FIFA]] rules.<ref>[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/fifaworldcuptickets/default.html FIFA World Cup Tickets] ITV Press Centre, 15 June 2010</ref> The incident also led to him losing his role as an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robbie Earle to lose role as England 2018 ambassador |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8743469.stm|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|accessdate=16 June 2010|date=16 June 2010}}</ref> Earle described his actions as "naive" and insisted that he had "not profited in any way".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/World-Cup-Earle-axed-ITV/article-2312824-detail/article.html|title=World Cup: Vale hero and Sentinel columnist Robbie Earle axed by ITV|date=16 June 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=16 June 2010}}</ref> It later emerged that ITV had given Earle 400 free tickets for the tournament, including 40 for [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|the final]] itself. This allocation had a RRP of around £70,000. Not permitted to sell the tickets Earle had freely given them out to friends and family, unaware that a 'close friend' would then sell a significant number on to the Dutch company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Sacked-Earle-defends-shattered-reputation/article-2328157-detail/article.html|title=Sacked Earle defends his shattered reputation|date=21 June 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=21 June 2010}}</ref>
In June 2010, he had his £150,000 a year contract with ITV cancelled for giving away [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] tickets for the [[Netherlands national football team|Holland]] v [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] match. Meant for family and friends, he passed them onwards to a friend who then sold them to [[Bavaria Brewery (Netherlands)|Bavaria Brewery]]. The Brewery company orchestrated an [[ambush marketing]] event, in breach of [[FIFA]] rules.<ref>[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/fifaworldcuptickets/default.html FIFA World Cup Tickets] ITV Press Centre, 15 June 2010</ref> The incident also led to him losing his role as an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robbie Earle to lose role as England 2018 ambassador |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8743469.stm|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|accessdate=16 June 2010|date=16 June 2010}}</ref> Earle described his actions as "naive" and insisted that he had "not profited in any way".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/World-Cup-Earle-axed-ITV/article-2312824-detail/article.html|title=World Cup: Vale hero and Sentinel columnist Robbie Earle axed by ITV|date=16 June 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=16 June 2010}}</ref> It later emerged that ITV had given Earle 400 free tickets for the tournament, including 40 for [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|the final]] itself. This allocation had a RRP of around £70,000. Not permitted to sell the tickets Earle had freely given them out to friends and family, unaware that a 'close friend' would then sell a significant number on to the Dutch company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Sacked-Earle-defends-shattered-reputation/article-2328157-detail/article.html|title=Sacked Earle defends his shattered reputation|date=21 June 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=21 June 2010}}</ref>


In March 2011 he became a broadcasting analyst at US [[Major League Soccer]] side [[Portland Timbers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguesocceruk.com/2011/03/robbie-earle-joins-portland-timbers.html|title=NEWS: Robbie Earle Joins Portland Timbers Broadcast Team |last=Williams|first=Glenn|date=12 March 2011|work=majorleaguesocceruk.com|accessdate=18 April 2011}}</ref>
In March 2011 he became a broadcasting analyst at US [[Major League Soccer]] side [[Portland Timbers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguesocceruk.com/2011/03/robbie-earle-joins-portland-timbers.html|title=NEWS: Robbie Earle Joins Portland Timbers Broadcast Team |last=Williams|first=Glenn|date=12 March 2011|work=majorleaguesocceruk.com|accessdate=18 April 2011}}</ref> He is also an Honorary Patron for the campaign against racism, [[Show Racism the Red Card]], and has appeared in television commercials promoting [[blood donation]].


⚫
Earle was appointed an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] in 1999 for his services to [[Association football|football]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/queens_birthday_honours/366834.stm|title=Arise Sir Alex|date=12 June 1999|work=BBC News|accessdate=17 May 2009}}</ref> In 2007 he was voted as Port Vale's [[PFA Fans' Favourites]]. In 2009 he was inducted into the [[English Football Hall of Fame]] as 'Football Foundation Community Champion'.
Earle has not ruled out one day heading into management with old club Port Vale,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Robbie-Earle-Vale-board-new-boss/article-971086-detail/article.html|title=Robbie Earle: Vale board must all get behind new boss|last=Earlie|first=Robbie|date=7 May 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=7 May 2009}}</ref> where he is considered a cult hero.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/4063429.stm|title=Port Vale's cult heroes |date=3 December 2004|work=[[Football Focus]]|accessdate=17 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

==Awards and services==
⚫
Earle was appointed an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] in 1999 for his services to [[Association football|football]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/06/99/queens_birthday_honours/366834.stm|title=Arise Sir Alex|date=12 June 1999|work=BBC News|accessdate=17 May 2009}}</ref> He is also an Honorary Patron for the campaign against racism, [[Show Racism the Red Card]] and has appeared in television commercials promoting [[blood donation]].


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Earle attended [[Longton High School]] in [[Longton, Staffordshire|Longton]], [[Stoke-on-Trent]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Remember-school-s-beginning-end/article-1557973-detail/article.html|title=Remember school's beginning at its end|date=28 November 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=16 December 2009}}</ref>
Earle attended [[Longton High School]] in [[Longton, Staffordshire|Longton]], [[Stoke-on-Trent]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Remember-school-s-beginning-end/article-1557973-detail/article.html|title=Remember school's beginning at its end|date=28 November 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=16 December 2009}}</ref> UK magazine ''The Vegetarian Society'' stated that Earle is a [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Famous Vegetarians - Robbie Earle|url=http://www.ivu.org/people/sports/earle.html|work=International Vegetarian Union|accessdate=17 February 2012}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
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*[http://www.mtc-uk.com/talent/robbie-earle/ Profile] at MTC Talent Management
*[http://www.mtc-uk.com/talent/robbie-earle/ Profile] at MTC Talent Management


{{Jamaica Squad 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Jamaica Squad 1998 World Cup}}
{{Jamaica Squad 1998 World Cup}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Earle, Robbie}}
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[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
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[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Newcastle-under-Lyme]]
[[Category:People from Newcastle-under-Lyme]]
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[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
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[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:Black English sportspeople]]
[[Category:Black English sportspeople]]
[[Category:Jamaican footballers]]
[[Category:Jamaican footballers]]
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[[Category:English sportswriters]]
[[Category:English sportswriters]]
[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Jamaican journalists]]
[[Category:English vegetarians]]
[[Category:Jamaican vegetarians]]


[[fr:Robert Earle]]
[[fr:Robert Earle]]

Revision as of 00:48, 17 February 2012

For other people named Robbie Earle, see Robbie Earle (disambiguation).
Robbie Earle
Personal information
Full name Robert Fitzgerald Earle[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1981–1982 Stoke City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1991 Port Vale 294 (77)
1991–2000 Wimbledon 284 (59)
Total 578 (136)
International career
1997–2000 Jamaica 33 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE (born 27 January 1965) is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.

A former youth player with Stoke City, Earle broke into the professional game with Port Vale in 1982. He spent nine years at the Burslem based club, helping the Vale to promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1985–86, and out of the Third Division via the play-offs in 1989; he was later voted the club's PFA Fans' Favourites. He moved on to Wimbledon in 1991, where he also spent nine years. He made nearly 300 league games for each club, scoring 77 and 59 goals respectively. He also represented Jamaica on 33 occasions between 1997 and 2000, scoring eight international goals. He appeared in the 1998 World Cup, scoring his nation's first ever goal in the finals.

Following his retirement in 2000, Earle has established himself in the world of football journalism. He regularly appears in print, on the radio and on television. He was dismissed from his punditry role with ITV in 2010 after he passed ITV World Cup tickets to a third party.[2] He is currently serving as television broadcast analyst for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.

Club career

Port Vale

An attacking midfielder, Earle was originally a junior player at Stoke City. After suffering from a broken leg he was released from Stoke, at which point he was snapped up by Stoke's local rivals Port Vale, where he turned professional in 1982.[3][1]

Earle made his Port Vale debut in a 1–0 defeat at Swindon Town on 28 August 1982, earning a regular first team place in August 1984. An ever-present in the 1985–86 Fourth Division promotion squad, he made 142 consecutive appearances between September 1984 and January 1987, the run coming to an end due to a groin strain. The strain led to a hernia operation in the autumn of 1987, but he returned to first team action in January 1988. A regular in the 1988–89 season, he scored both goals of the 1989 play-off final that took Vale through to the Second Division on aggregate.[1] After the match Earle wept in the tunnel, such was his emotions to have taken his local team to victory in the play-off final.

In all, 'The Black Pearl', as he was affectionately known, played 357 times for the "Valiants" and scored 90 goals. A cult hero,[4] he is considered one of the best midfielders ever to play for the club.[5] In July 1991 he was transferred to Wimbledon for a fee of £775,000 (and 30% of any future transfer fee above that figure).[1] It was later reported that Wimbledon chairman Sam Hammam had locked Earle in a room during transfer negotiations and only let him out when he agreed to sign for Wimbledon.[6]

Wimbledon

Earle played an important part in the South London club's success during the nineties, and in particular, the club's 'Crazy Gang' mentality which fostered team spirit and intimidated opposing players. Earle was known for his late runs into the box and his ability at finishing and agility at heading the ball.

In his first season with the "Dons", he scored an impressive 14 league goals to secure the club's place in the newly formed Premier League for the 1992–93 season. He was an ever present in the first two seasons in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 1992–93 and nine in 1993–94 – when Wimbledon finished a club best sixth in the final table. After injury limited him to nine goalless appearances in 1994–95 (when Wimbledon still finished ninth), he regained his fitness for the following season and his 11 goals went some way towards securing Wimbledon's survival in 15th place. He was appointed team captain in 1995. In February 1997, he was handed the Premier League Player of the Month award.[7]

Earle's stamina and natural fitness were a big part of his game, and his consistency in the first five seasons at the Dons led to calls for international recognition. He was called up to England squad on two occasions but never earned a cap, and eventually ended up playing for Jamaica.

He remained an integral part of the Wimbledon side throughout the 1990s, but was unable to prevent them from slipping out of the Premier League at the end of the 1999–2000 season, when they relegated on the final day of the season after fourteen years in the top flight.

During a reserve team game for Wimbledon in 2000, Earle sustained a heavy blow to the stomach and became seriously ill with a ruptured pancreas. At the age of 35 he was forced to give up playing.[8] His retirement coincided with the end of the 'Crazy Gang'.

In nine years as a Wimbledon player, he made 244 league appearances for the South London club, scoring 59 goals.[9]

International career

Though English-born, Earle was eligible to play for Jamaica at international level because of his Jamaican heritage. Before deciding to play for Jamaica in 1997, Earle was in fact once called up to the England squad, but never actually played for the side. Earle was the scorer of Jamaica's first ever World Cup finals goal, in a 3–1 defeat by Croatia at the Stade Félix-Bollaert, at the 1998 World Cup in France.[10] He played in all three of the Group H games, as Jamaica lost 5–0 to Argentina at Parc des Princes and beat Japan 2–1 at Stade de Gerland.[11][12]

Media work

Since his retirement, Earle has moved into sports journalism and has worked for Capital Radio, Radio 5 Live, BBC, ESPN, ITV, Sky Sports and OnDigital. Earle was a regular pundit on ITV's football coverage, as well as World Football Daily, and occasionally joins the team on ESPN PressPass.[13] He has also written columns for the London Evening Standard and for the Stoke-on-Trent Evening Sentinel.

In 2005, he took part on BBC's Strictly African Dancing as part of Africa Lives season; he scored 33 and won the competition. He also appeared in the 2007 edition of MasterChef.

In June 2010, he had his £150,000 a year contract with ITV cancelled for giving away World Cup tickets for the Holland v Denmark match. Meant for family and friends, he passed them onwards to a friend who then sold them to Bavaria Brewery. The Brewery company orchestrated an ambush marketing event, in breach of FIFA rules.[14] The incident also led to him losing his role as an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid.[15] Earle described his actions as "naive" and insisted that he had "not profited in any way".[16] It later emerged that ITV had given Earle 400 free tickets for the tournament, including 40 for the final itself. This allocation had a RRP of around £70,000. Not permitted to sell the tickets Earle had freely given them out to friends and family, unaware that a 'close friend' would then sell a significant number on to the Dutch company.[17]

In March 2011 he became a broadcasting analyst at US Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers.[18] He is also an Honorary Patron for the campaign against racism, Show Racism the Red Card, and has appeared in television commercials promoting blood donation.

Earle was appointed an MBE in 1999 for his services to football.[19] In 2007 he was voted as Port Vale's PFA Fans' Favourites. In 2009 he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame as 'Football Foundation Community Champion'.

Personal life

Earle attended Longton High School in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.[20] UK magazine The Vegetarian Society stated that Earle is a vegetarian.[21]

Honours

with Port Vale

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 92. ISBN 0952915200.
  2. ^ Gibson, Owen (15 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: ITV sacks Robbie Earle for breaking ticket regulations". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  3. ^ Sherwin, Phil (2010). The Port Vale Miscellany. Brimscombe Port: The History Press. p. 5. ISBN 9780752457772.
  4. ^ "Port Vale's cult heroes". Football Focus. BBC Sport. 3 December 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  5. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 298. ISBN 0950898163.
  6. ^ Cruise, Ian (11 February 2010). "'But Mr Chairman, you're barking...!' The Top 10 crazy football club owners". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Carling Premiership Player of the Month 1996/97". premierleague.com. Premier League. Archived from the original on 11 December 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  8. ^ "Earle hangs up his boots". BBC Sport. 8 November 2000. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  9. ^ "Wimbledon FC 1991-2000". sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Jamaica - Croatia". FIFA. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  11. ^ "Argentina - Jamaica". FIFA. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Japan - Jamaica". FIFA. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  13. ^ Former T&T goalie picks Brazil, Spain for WCup final Jamaica Observer, 5 June 2010
  14. ^ FIFA World Cup Tickets ITV Press Centre, 15 June 2010
  15. ^ "Robbie Earle to lose role as England 2018 ambassador". BBC Sport. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  16. ^ "World Cup: Vale hero and Sentinel columnist Robbie Earle axed by ITV". The Sentinel. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Sacked Earle defends his shattered reputation". The Sentinel. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  18. ^ Williams, Glenn (12 March 2011). "NEWS: Robbie Earle Joins Portland Timbers Broadcast Team". majorleaguesocceruk.com. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  19. ^ "Arise Sir Alex". BBC News. 12 June 1999. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  20. ^ "Remember school's beginning at its end". The Sentinel. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  21. ^ "Famous Vegetarians - Robbie Earle". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 17 February 2012.

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