Andrew Robertson is no ordinary footballer.
Dundee United fans know that. They watched as an unheralded 19-year-old arrived at their club in 2013 and proceeded to turn in performances at left-back that were as good as many had ever seen at Tannadice.
But it’s not just his ability to command the left wing of a football pitch — an ability that has since taken him to the heights of the Champions League with Liverpool FC — that makes Robertson special.
Despite him now rubbing shoulders with the multi-millionaires of English football, the Scotland internationalist has once again shown that he hasn’t lost his social conscience.
The Glasgow-born star has become the toast of Liverpudlians after he rewarded a young boy in the city who chose to give his pocket money to a local foodbank.
When Robertson became aware of Alfie Radford’s gesture, he arranged to send a signed shirt — even showing typical humility by sending one from star striker Roberto Firminho rather than himself because, as he joked, “no-one wants the left-back’s shirt”!
Robertson wrote to Alfie saying foodbanks are “a cause very close to my own heart”. His full letter read:
Dear Alfie,
It’s Andy Robertson here from Liverpool.
I saw on Twitter that you did something very special for the foodbanks at Anfield last night.
I remember from being your age just how important pocket money is and how there’s hundreds of things you could have bought for yourself with it.
Thanks to @andrewrobertso5 for my lads letter and gift ??
Bigger story here is please everybody get behind @SFoodbanks #LFC pic.twitter.com/9lsZ9Ol444
— Tom (@TomRadford0) March 7, 2018
For you to give that up for people who are having a tough time and need some help to get by is absolutely amazing. Let me tell you now, that is brilliant from you and sets an example to the rest of us that showing a little care and thought for others is really important – it’s also very Liverpool! Foodbanks is a cause very close to my own heart and what you’ve done will stay with me for a long time.
Glad he received it ok?and couldn’t agree more!! A lot of people could follow in your sons footsteps! @SFoodbanks a cracking organisation? https://t.co/448T0Mvy3u
— Andrew Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) March 7, 2018
Anyway – the point of this letter. You’ve done something amazing for other people and expected nothing in return for it. Because of that I want to make sure it is rewarded.
I’ve got one of Roberto Firmino’s match shirts from this season and asked him to sign it for you, by way of a thank you for what you did for the foodbanks. Let’s be honest Alfie, no one wants the left back’s shirt – which is why I got you Bobby’s instead. Hope that’s okay.
I’ll make sure all the lads hear about what you’ve done. You’ve done LFC proud Alfie – your family will be made up with you I’m sure.
All the best wee man,
Andy
When Tom’s dad tweeted the letter it soon went viral, with fans across Liverpool and beyond praising Robertson’s generosity and sense of humour.
Robertson had already shown his interest in helping others in 2015 when he shunned 21st birthday presents and instead asked friends and family to donate to a Glasgow foodbank.
At the time he said: “I’m doing OK for myself and I decided I didn’t really need any kind of presents.
“I was trying to think of something special to do and my parents came up with the idea of helping out East Renfrewshire Food Bank.
“It’s not far from where I grew up, they do amazing work and I know they help a lot of people out.”
