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Sir Bobby Robson: True Geordie devoted to football
Saturday, 1 August 2009
former England manager Sir Bobby Robson - seen as Ipswich Town manager (left) with coach Cyril Lea and players David Geddis and captain Mick Mills (hat) as they parade the FA Cup in triumph at Wembley Stadium in London
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Bobby Robson will be badly missed by football community was known throughout the world for being a gentleman of British sport.
Bobby Robson will be badly missed by football community was known throughout the world for being a gentleman of British sport.
He was loved for his enthusiasm for the beautiful game and his willingness to share the knowledge he gained over a lifelong love affair with football.
He was born Robert William Robson, the son of a Co Durham miner, in Sacriston on February 18, 1933 and grew up in nearby Langley Park, a pit village on the outskirts of Durham city.
He came under football's spell as a youngster, travelling on the bus to watch the Newcastle United team of the 1940s.
Through the 1950s and early 1960s he was a top player with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. He also won 20 England caps and took part in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, but eventually lost his place in the team to the young Bobby Moore.
However, it was as a manager that Robson truly excelled.
His first job at Fulham lasted just 10 months and in 1969 he took over unfancied Ipswich Town. There he moulded a side that lifted the FA Cup in 1978 and the Uefa Cup in 1981. The following year he became England boss.
At the Mexico World Cup in 1986 England were beaten by Argentina and Maradona's infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal. Four years on he saw his side reach the semi-finals against arch-rivals West Germany, only to lose on penalties.
With his reputation restored, Robson moved on to PSV Eindhoven in Holland, winning the Dutch league, then on to Sporting Lisbon and Porto in Portugal where he won more championships. A move to Barcelona in 1996 saw them lift the Cup Winners' Cup.
But in 1999 he made a romantic return to Newcastle at the age of 66. He led his beloved Magpies from the bottom of the Premier League in that campaign to fourth place in 2001/02 and third the following season.
But he was sacked in 2004 after a poor start to the season.
His last job in football came in 2006 when he was a consultant to the rookie Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton.
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a true gentleman , a huge football name for me from my childhood & teens ....... such strength and dignity , even in his last weeks , you can ONLY have had admiration for Sir Bobby Robson ! Our current youth could take a BIG leaf out of his book. So hard to believe that that giant football character is no longer with us. R.I.P. Sir Bobby.
Posted by saddened admirer | 01.08.09, 19:45 GMT
"A Gentlemen, a Scholar and a Judge of Good Liqueur" An old Ulster salute for a truly fine man.
Posted by Ulsterman | 01.08.09, 08:44 GMT
just had a really bad day today and just finished work and to come home and hear about bobby as just knocked me only seen him on the box the other day in a wheel chair and i was stund then god bless bobby :coley from hudds
Posted by coley | 31.07.09, 18:37 GMT
RIP Bobby you were a good ambasidor to the game and I know you loved the Irish people as well. you were all that is good about the game.
Posted by sean from co down Ireland | 31.07.09, 17:28 GMT
The world of football is a much lesser place today
RIP Sir Bobby
Posted by Strucker | 31.07.09, 16:14 GMT
What sad loss for sport a truly wonderful man respected by all who new him,and loved by everyone, a legend is not too great a description of this true Geordie. RIP Sir Bobby.
Posted by a lover of the game | 31.07.09, 15:19 GMT
A true gentleman of the first order, reveered by many,loved by all RIP
Posted by a lover of the game | 31.07.09, 15:04 GMT
Sir Bobby, never forget. Rest in peace.
b00ts, The Netherlands.
Posted by b00ts | 31.07.09, 14:32 GMT
Great man who will be sorely missed by all. I'd recommend his autobiography as a great read to all.
RIP Bobby - You'll Never Walk Alone
Posted by Paul aka Subby | 31.07.09, 13:51 GMT
Legend
Posted by cally | 31.07.09, 13:08 GMT
holy moly, thanks for those posts, they encapsulate Sir Bobby, and the endearing way he had about him.
As per the other post, the world has lost a true gentleman, as a Newcastle United supporter, I am proud to pay tribute to a real Geordie and footballing legend.
Ho way the lads.
Posted by sjc | 31.07.09, 13:07 GMT
From Holy Moly:
Journalist to Shola Ameobi: Do you have a nickname at the club?
Ameobi: Not really, no
J: So what do the lads call you?
SA: Shola
J: And what about Sir Bobby? What does he call you?
SA: Carl Cort.
Posted by holy moly | 31.07.09, 12:59 GMT
From Holy Moly:
Bobby is at a book-signing in Newcastle. Little kid gets Sir Bobby to sign his book after queuing for ages.
'Have you signed a lot of books today, Sir Bobby?'
'Oh, hundreds, son. Absolutely hundreds'
Kid walks off with his signed book, and glances down at the inscription; 'Best Wishes, Bobby Hundreds.'
Amazing. RIP Bobby Hundreds.
Posted by holy moly | 31.07.09, 12:59 GMT
As a Newcastle fan it is an extremely sad day. Sir Bobby brought fight and passion back to the club and in his time at St James Park we had Champions League football for 2 seasons and finished 3rd and 4th in the league. If only we had someone like him now the club would not be in the mess that it is.
In addition the way he bravely fought and dealt with cancer over the past 5 years and the amount of money he has raised through his foundation speaks volumes of the man. Only last Sunday was he raising more money to help people less fortunate than himself battle and beat the terrible disease.
May your rest in peace Sir Bobby, you truly were a legend a word that is used too often nowadays in football.
Toon Toon
Posted by NI toon | 31.07.09, 12:23 GMT
An absolute legend. Sir Bobby had personality and charisma in abundance. Football will never see his like again. Only 5 years ago, at the age of 71 he was running around the training pitch. He fought cancer and won 5 times. Always showing strength and dignity in public. I'm so glad he got to manage Newcastle and "come home" as he described it. The world has lost a great, great gentleman.
Posted by Geordie | 31.07.09, 12:13 GMT
Great man, great life. Thanks for the memories!
Posted by Will Hawkes | 31.07.09, 11:45 GMT