Val Robinson in action at Wembley stadium in 1974.

The Hockey Museum (THM) is very saddened to hear news of the death of Val Robinson on Sunday 13 February. The ‘hockey family’ will mourn the loss of one of their greatest players. Val played for England from 1963 through to 1984 amassing what was then a world record number of 149 caps along with 21 GB caps. She was sadly denied an opportunity to play on the Olympic stage by Great Britain Hockey’s boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

It is hard to exaggerate the love and respect that so many international players, club players, schoolgirls and supporters had for this very wiry, elegant and determined player – she captured the imagination of so many. Val was also one of the first women players to gain fame outside the hockey world following her victory in BBC Superstars in 1979 and 1981.

Val reached her 80th birthday in mid-December. She had been living with cancer for over a year but being a very private person, she did not share this difficult battle with other than her family and closest friends until a couple of months ago. She died peaceful at home.

A full obituary will be posted on the Obituaries section of The Hockey Museum website when available. Click: Val Robinson Obituary.

The funeral will take place at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington, BB5 6HA at 13:40 on Wednesday 23 February; and then afterwards at Accrington Golf Club, Devon Ave, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington BB5 4LS. The family have asked that people wear bright clothes.