Bobby Robson
Jul 31st 2009, 1:03 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Toronto (thank goodness)
Posts: 1,267
Bobby Robson
RIP
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8177945.stm
Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76, following a long battle with cancer.
Robson will be best remembered on the international stage for leading England to the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
At club level, he cut his managerial teeth at Fulham before establishing his credentials at Ipswich where he won the FA Cup and Uefa Cup in a 13-year stay.
Spells at PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona followed before he managed Newcastle.
Robson, who was born in County Durham and watched the Magpies from the terraces, returned to his native north-east in 1999 in what was to be his last major role in football.
After leaving Newcastle, he was a consultant for the Republic of Ireland side while he battled cancer, and later took on an ambassadorial role for the Football Association of Ireland.
Many floral tributes have already been laid at St James' Park and Newcastle have said the ground will also be open over the weekend.
United's players and staff held a minute's silence at the training ground on Friday morning.
1990 Archive - West Germany v England
Flags at the Football Association headquarters in London's Soho Square and at Wembley Stadium will fly at half mast.
Ipswich flags are also flying at half mast at Portman Road and there will be two minutes silence before Friday evening's friendly against Real Valladolid which kicks off at 1930 BST.
Robson, who was first diagnosed with cancer 18 years ago in 1991, fought a brave battle against the disease. He beat bowel cancer in 1992, a malignant melanoma in 1995 and a tumour in his right lung and a brain tumour, both in 2006.
In 2007 he vowed to "battle as I've always done" following the start of chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.
He made his final public appearance at a charity match at St James' Park on Sunday.
An England side, featuring Alan Shearer and several members of the 1990 World Cup squad including Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, beat a Germany team 3-2 in front of almost 30,000 spectators.
The game was a repeat of the 1990 World Cup semi-final when England, managed by Sir Bobby, lost on penalties. Shearer scored the winner in Sunday's friendly, from the penalty spot.
A statement issued on behalf of Robson's family said: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.
I never played for a more enthusiastic man
Former England striker and BBC presenter Gary Lineker
"He died very peacefully this morning (Friday) 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."
Robson is survived by his wife Elsie, and their three children.
As a player, Robson, who played as a wing half, was a key member of the Fulham and West Brom team during the 1950s and 1960s and also won 20 caps for England.
But it was in management that he established himself as one of the greats of the game.
After a brief spell as a player-coach with Vancouver Royals in the North American Soccer League, he took over as boss of Fulham in January 1968 but was sacked by Christmas.
He took over as Ipswich manager in 1969 and guided the unfashionable East Anglian club to FA Cup and Uefa Cup victories in 1978 and 1981 respectively. He also twice led the Portman Road outfit to the runners-up spot in the old First Division.
Robson's Ipswich success led to him succeeding Ron Greenwood as England manager after the 1982 World Cup.
Failure to qualify for the 1984 European Championships was followed by a run to the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico where England lost 2-1 to Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal and a superb individual strike by the Argentine legend.
The 1988 European Championships were also a write-off with England failing to win any of their group games, but at Italia 90, Robson came within a whisker of guiding the national team to its first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.
Floral tributes are being laid at Newcastle's St James' Park
England needed extra time to defeat Belgium and Cameroon in the knock-out stages, but came unstuck on penalties again West Germany in the semi-final. Gary Lineker forced extra time with a late equaliser, but Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed from the spot as England bowed out.
Lineker told BBC Sport: "It is a sad day and a great loss. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by everybody in the country.
"I never played for a more enthusiastic man. He gave so much to the game."
During the tournament, it was revealed that Robson would be leaving his England role to take over at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he went on to win successive league titles in 1991 and 92.
He moved on to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon at the end of the season, but his stay lasted only 18 months and it was at rivals Porto that he collected more silverware. The 1994 Portuguese Cup was followed by two more league titles.
That sparked interest from Barcelona and Robson moved to Spain in 1996 where he won the European Cup Winners' Cup and Copa del Rey in his first season in charge.
A brief return to PSV preceded his 1999 move to Newcastle and 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.
Archive - Sports Personality honours Sir Bobby
In 2002 he was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
He was sacked by Newcastle in 2004, when he was 71, following a poor start to the season - but he was later given the freedom of the city.
In May 2008, he was given the freedom of Ipswich to mark the 30th anniversary of their 1-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8177945.stm
Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76, following a long battle with cancer.
Robson will be best remembered on the international stage for leading England to the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
At club level, he cut his managerial teeth at Fulham before establishing his credentials at Ipswich where he won the FA Cup and Uefa Cup in a 13-year stay.
Spells at PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona followed before he managed Newcastle.
Robson, who was born in County Durham and watched the Magpies from the terraces, returned to his native north-east in 1999 in what was to be his last major role in football.
After leaving Newcastle, he was a consultant for the Republic of Ireland side while he battled cancer, and later took on an ambassadorial role for the Football Association of Ireland.
Many floral tributes have already been laid at St James' Park and Newcastle have said the ground will also be open over the weekend.
United's players and staff held a minute's silence at the training ground on Friday morning.
1990 Archive - West Germany v England
Flags at the Football Association headquarters in London's Soho Square and at Wembley Stadium will fly at half mast.
Ipswich flags are also flying at half mast at Portman Road and there will be two minutes silence before Friday evening's friendly against Real Valladolid which kicks off at 1930 BST.
Robson, who was first diagnosed with cancer 18 years ago in 1991, fought a brave battle against the disease. He beat bowel cancer in 1992, a malignant melanoma in 1995 and a tumour in his right lung and a brain tumour, both in 2006.
In 2007 he vowed to "battle as I've always done" following the start of chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.
He made his final public appearance at a charity match at St James' Park on Sunday.
An England side, featuring Alan Shearer and several members of the 1990 World Cup squad including Paul Gascoigne and Peter Shilton, beat a Germany team 3-2 in front of almost 30,000 spectators.
The game was a repeat of the 1990 World Cup semi-final when England, managed by Sir Bobby, lost on penalties. Shearer scored the winner in Sunday's friendly, from the penalty spot.
A statement issued on behalf of Robson's family said: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.
I never played for a more enthusiastic man
Former England striker and BBC presenter Gary Lineker
"He died very peacefully this morning (Friday) 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."
Robson is survived by his wife Elsie, and their three children.
As a player, Robson, who played as a wing half, was a key member of the Fulham and West Brom team during the 1950s and 1960s and also won 20 caps for England.
But it was in management that he established himself as one of the greats of the game.
After a brief spell as a player-coach with Vancouver Royals in the North American Soccer League, he took over as boss of Fulham in January 1968 but was sacked by Christmas.
He took over as Ipswich manager in 1969 and guided the unfashionable East Anglian club to FA Cup and Uefa Cup victories in 1978 and 1981 respectively. He also twice led the Portman Road outfit to the runners-up spot in the old First Division.
Robson's Ipswich success led to him succeeding Ron Greenwood as England manager after the 1982 World Cup.
Failure to qualify for the 1984 European Championships was followed by a run to the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico where England lost 2-1 to Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal and a superb individual strike by the Argentine legend.
The 1988 European Championships were also a write-off with England failing to win any of their group games, but at Italia 90, Robson came within a whisker of guiding the national team to its first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.
Floral tributes are being laid at Newcastle's St James' Park
England needed extra time to defeat Belgium and Cameroon in the knock-out stages, but came unstuck on penalties again West Germany in the semi-final. Gary Lineker forced extra time with a late equaliser, but Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed from the spot as England bowed out.
Lineker told BBC Sport: "It is a sad day and a great loss. He was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by everybody in the country.
"I never played for a more enthusiastic man. He gave so much to the game."
During the tournament, it was revealed that Robson would be leaving his England role to take over at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, where he went on to win successive league titles in 1991 and 92.
He moved on to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon at the end of the season, but his stay lasted only 18 months and it was at rivals Porto that he collected more silverware. The 1994 Portuguese Cup was followed by two more league titles.
That sparked interest from Barcelona and Robson moved to Spain in 1996 where he won the European Cup Winners' Cup and Copa del Rey in his first season in charge.
A brief return to PSV preceded his 1999 move to Newcastle and 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.
Archive - Sports Personality honours Sir Bobby
In 2002 he was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
He was sacked by Newcastle in 2004, when he was 71, following a poor start to the season - but he was later given the freedom of the city.
In May 2008, he was given the freedom of Ipswich to mark the 30th anniversary of their 1-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal.
Jul 31st 2009, 1:18 pm
#2
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,649
Re: Bobby Robson
Farewell to a legend
Jul 31st 2009, 1:22 pm
#3
ModerĪ±tor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Bobby Robson
Doesnt matter who you supported, he was a real class act. Footy needs more like him. RIP.
Jul 31st 2009, 2:46 pm
#4
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Re: Bobby Robson
Never to be forgotten.
Jul 31st 2009, 2:56 pm
#5
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 2,085
Re: Bobby Robson
As others have said a gentleman and a legend
Jul 31st 2009, 4:21 pm
#6
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Bobby Robson
Yes - a very likable chap. Rare in footy. RIP
Jul 31st 2009, 4:34 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island
Posts: 1,096
Re: Bobby Robson
When we emigrated to Canada in 2004 I saw Bobby Robson and Freddy Shepherd at Heathrow airport, as he was still Newcastle manager at the time and Bobby was happy to have a photo taken with me and chatted about Canada, as he was here in the 60's with the Vancouver Royals. A nice, approachable man, and a football legend. RIP Bobby.
Jul 31st 2009, 5:13 pm
#8
Bring on the snow!
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,420
Re: Bobby Robson
One of the greats. RIP Bobby
Aug 1st 2009, 2:52 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Kamloops
Posts: 365
Re: Bobby Robson
one of the few footballers / managers i have great respect for.
RIP
RIP
Aug 1st 2009, 2:55 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 836
Re: Bobby Robson
class act - unbelievably brave to have battled with 5 different cancers the way he did , to me that achievement stands head and shoulder above whatever he did as a football manager.
Aug 1st 2009, 2:56 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 239
Re: Bobby Robson
Unforgettable. Legend, Gentleman, Footballer...
RIP!! you great man of British Football!!
RIP!! you great man of British Football!!
Aug 4th 2009, 12:28 pm
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: Bobby Robson
Well put....he is in a different class than SAF, Arsene, Mourinho etc. I have never been a NUFC fan, but with him running the team, I could easily watch them.
Farewell to a legend. It was good to see that he made it to the charity game a few days ago.
Farewell to a legend. It was good to see that he made it to the charity game a few days ago.
