The Passing of A Genuine Legend

July 31st, 2009 | by: Rob | View Comments

Sir Bobby Robson has died aged 76 after losing a fight with cancer. The former England manager had looked genuinely frail in recent times, especially at his tribute match last week, but he was the sort of person you genuinely couldn’t imagine ever dying.

A Statement from the family read:

“It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer,” read a statement released by Robson’s family. “He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.

“Sir Bobby’s funeral will be private and for family members only. A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby’s life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.

“Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time.”

His last public appearence was a tribute match in his honour last sunday, between a team of England legends and Germany legends, in reference to how close Bobby got to winning the World Cup for England in the Italian Sunshine in 1990. Fittingly it was St James Park, the club he supported his entire life.

As a kid growing up he watched his beloved Newcastle from the terraces, and grew into the gentle football addict the world would love. As a player, he played wing, and won 20 caps for England during a career that saw him play for West Brom and Fulham

But it was his managerial career which he will largely be remembered for. Starting with a unsuccessful stints in the NASL and with Fulham he had a long spell at Ipswich Town, where he won both the FA and UEFA Cups. He also finished runner-up in the league on more than one occasion.

Because of his spell at Ipswich, he was given the England job. England had been in freefall since 1966, but Robson managed to establish a team that could put itself on the world stage again. Despite fail;ure to qualify for the 1984 European Championships, Sir Bobby guided England to a World Cup Quarter Final against Argentina two years later, where Diego Maradona controversially saw England knocked out.

England didn’t manage to get out of their group in Euro 88, and despite being vilified by the English Press, England supporters wrote letters of support to Sir Bobby, and often received replies. Can you imagine such a thing happening again?

So Robson led England into Italia 90, which ended in heartbreak after an iconic semi-final. You know the story, England were the better side, a deflected German goal, Gazza’s tears, and Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce’s penalty misses conspiring against us. It remains out best performance at a world cup since 1966.

After Italia 90, he joined PSV in Holland, where he picked up two league titles. He then went to portugal, first to Sporting, and then at Porto, where his success peaked the interest of Barcelona. At the Nou Camp he picked up the Copa Del Ray and European Cup Winners Cup in his first season at the club.

Eventually he got the chance to manage Newcastle, where he turned around a club struggling in the bottom half, back into a top six club, a remarkable achievement.

More important than his considerable football achievements was his genuinely nice personality and his enthusiasm for the game. He will be missed by everyone regardless of your colours.

Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.