Ryan Johnston

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Carl Robinson.

Much like the Danny Dichio dénouement of 2009, the Carl Robinson era comes to an end without a farewell song or dance. It also means that original Red and current captain Jim Brennan is the last of the warm, fuzzy family pieced together in the winter of '06 as an attempt to sell soccer in Toronto.

Since that write-off first season the Reds have become quite business-like; concerned more with contracts than kindness. It started when new club director Mo Johnston sold Maurice Edu and has since carried on to the news that the at-times bullish 'Robbo' will ply his trade wearing the red of New York next season.

It is a harsh reality, but it is also a necessary one. If the club is to make good on its perennial promise of a post-season, the passengers need to go. Robinson is without argument a top-class individual, never one to say no and eager to answer every last question. But with a price tag of over $300,000 it was time to remove the mentor and allow the under-studies to play.

Robbo prepared Edu for his departure and since then has taken to Sam Cronin, who is unable to avoid the obvious comparisons each time he steps on the pitch. While Julian De Guzman is not player who needs to be shown any rope at all, I am sure in the six games he played with Robinson on his side there were intricacies of the MLS game instilled upon him by the Welshman.

As stated, it is shame Robinson, like Dichio, was deprived of a proper south end send-off - but seeing the fruits of his labours get the chance to practice what was preached over his three years of service will likely be what matters most to the ever-pro Robinson.