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Bobby Robson
English footballer and manager

Sir Robert William Robson (1933–2009) was an English football player and coach, noted for managing the England national team to the semi-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, England’s best run until 2018. As a player, he was an inside forward at clubs including Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. Robson also managed prestigious teams like Barcelona, PSV, and Sporting CP. Knighted in 2002 and inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, he founded the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for cancer research. Despite battling cancer from 1991, Robson remained active until his death in 2009.

Early life

Bobby Robson was born on 18 February 1933 in Sacriston, County Durham, the fourth of five sons of Philip and Lilian Robson (née Watt).4 When he was a few months old, Robson's family moved to the nearby village of Langley Park where his father was a coal miner. Their two-bedroom house had no bath and an outside toilet.5 As a boy, he was often taken by his father to watch Newcastle United play at St James' Park on Saturday afternoons, requiring a 34-mile round trip.678 Robson described Jackie Milburn and Len Shackleton as his childhood heroes.9 Both played for Newcastle in the inside-forward position, the position Robson would later assume during his playing career.

Robson attended Langley Park Primary School and then Waterhouses secondary modern school, after failing his eleven-plus but the headmaster did not allow the school football team to join a league.10 Instead, he began to play for Langley Park Juniors on Saturday mornings at age 11, and by the time he was 15, he was representing the club at under-18 level.11 Robson played football whenever he possibly could but left school aged 15 to start work as an electrician's apprentice for the National Coal Board in the Langley Park colliery.1213 In May 1950, Bill Dodgin, the manager of Fulham, made a personal visit to the Robson household to offer Bobby a professional contract. Despite being offered a contract by nearby Middlesbrough, the offer made by Dodgin was too attractive to turn down, so he signed for Fulham and moved to London,141516 playing as a wing half and inside forward.17 Robson had also interested his beloved Newcastle, but he opted to join Fulham as, in his opinion, "Newcastle made no appreciable effort to secure [my] signature." He also thought he stood a better chance of breaking into the first team at Fulham.18 Robson had partial deafness in one ear, which rendered him ineligible to be called up for national service.19

Playing career

Club playing career

Although Robson had signed professionally, his father insisted he continue to work as an electrician. He spent the day working at the Festival of Britain site and trained three nights a week at Fulham.20 Eventually, this took its toll on Robson and he gave up his trade for full-time professional football.21

In 1950, Robson made his first-team debut for Fulham, recently promoted to the First Division, in a match against Sheffield Wednesday.22 He came to regard Fulham as "a nice club, a social club...", but "never... a serious, championship-challenging club".23 Indeed, he and Fulham were relegated from the top-flight in the 1951–52 season,24 but he made his return to the First Division, four years later, when he signed for Vic Buckingham's West Bromwich Albion in March 1956.2526 The transfer fee of £25,000 was a club record for West Brom at the time.2728

He made his West Brom debut in a 4–0 home defeat to Manchester City on 10 March 1956.29 In 1957–58, he was the club's top league goalscorer; his tally of 24 goals included four in a 5–1 win against Burnley.3031 Often playing as a midfielder, he went on to play 257 matches and score 61 goals for West Brom,32 and he captained the team for the 1960–61 and 1961–62 seasons.33 However, in August 1962, he returned to Fulham after a disagreement with West Brom vice-chairman Jim Gaunt over his salary.3435 The ongoing dispute over both minimum and maximum wages in the game, instigated by Robson's teammate Jimmy Hill and the Professional Footballers' Association, combined with the birth of Robson's second son, prompted Robson to demand a higher salary.36 Gaunt refused to negotiate Robson's contract, so Robson placed a transfer request and was sold to Fulham for £20,000 in a deal which doubled his salary.37 Soon after Robson joined Fulham, the club sold Alan Mullery and Rodney Marsh, meaning Robson's chances of securing any significant honour there were substantially reduced.38 Robson himself stated, "In all my time as a footballer, I didn't win a thing."39

Despite press reports of interest from Arsenal,40 and the offer of a player-manager role by Southend United,41 Robson left Fulham in 1967 and accepted a three-year deal with Canada's Vancouver Royals. He was to be player-manager in their inaugural 1968 season in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and believed it "was a chance too good to miss".4243 He began scouting and holding tryout camps for the new team in late 1967.44 The position proved difficult; a long-distance joint-ownership agreement gave the Hungarian footballer Ferenc Puskás control over the San Francisco section of the squad,45 while Robson took care of the Vancouver squad. Robson was dissatisfied by this situation and when, in January 1968, Fulham offered him a contract as their manager, he accepted the position at Craven Cottage.46

International playing career

During his first spell at Fulham, Robson participated in two ambassadorial Football Association tours in the West Indies in 1955 and South Africa in 1956.47 However, it was during his time at West Bromwich Albion that he graduated to the full England squad, with his first call-up in 1956. His manager, Vic Buckingham, advocated the "push and run" approach to the game, a precursor to "total football",48 and playing this, Robson graduated to the full England squad in 1956,49 It was also at West Brom when Robson met future England international and assistant coach Don Howe.50

Robson went on to make 20 appearances for the England national team, making his debut in a November 1957 victory against France, scoring twice in a 4–0 victory.51 Although he made a successful debut, he was dropped for England's next match, against Scotland, in favour of Bobby Charlton.52 However, Robson was selected for the 1958 FIFA World Cup squad, ahead of Nat Lofthouse and Stanley Matthews, but returned from host nation Sweden disappointed after England were defeated by the Soviet Union in a group play-off match.53

Following the World Cup, Robson became an established member of the England squad, enjoying considerable success in a period between October 1960 and March 1961 when he played in six England victories, including scoring a goal in the record 9–3 defeat of Scotland at Wembley Stadium.54 He was selected for the 1962 World Cup finals in Chile, but an injury to his ankle sustained in a pre-tournament friendly against a Chilean club side ruled him out of most of the tournament. As Robson recalled, "I never played for England again... my international career was unfulfilled."55 His place in the England team was taken by Bobby Moore.56

Managerial career

Early club management

In 1959, the then England manager and the Football Association (FA) director of coaching, Walter Winterbottom, suggested to Robson that he take a coaching course at Lilleshall.57 He obtained coaching qualifications during his second spell at Fulham, and coached Oxford University A.F.C.58 Robson made his debut as a manager in January 1968 at his former club Fulham, against Macclesfield Town, then in the Cheshire County League, in the third round of the FA Cup. Fulham were struggling with 16 points from 24 matches.5960 Despite the acquisition of the young Malcolm Macdonald, Robson could not save the club from relegation to the Second Division,6162 and he left them in November63 with the club sitting eighth in the Second Division. He discovered he had been sacked not from the club itself, but from the headline "Robson sacked" on an Evening Standard placard outside Putney station.64

Ipswich Town

Robson moved on to Ipswich Town in 1969 and it was there that he established his reputation as a successful manager, supported by the club chairman John Cobbold and then later by his brother Patrick Cobbold. He was offered the vacant job at the Suffolk club after a chance encounter with Town director Murray Sangster while scouting at Portman Road for Chelsea manager Dave Sexton.65 After four mediocre seasons, Robson led Ipswich to fourth place in the First Division and success in the Texaco Cup in the 1972–73 season.66 In the following nine seasons, Ipswich finished lower than sixth place in the First Division only once, in the 1977–78 season. However, that season was a success with a 1–0 victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup final.67 His reign at Ipswich lasted 13 years, during which time the club twice finished as League runners-up, and made regular appearances in European competitions, winning the UEFA Cup in 1981 with a 5–4 aggregate victory over Dutch side AZ 67 Alkmaar.68 About that team, Robson said: "We played with two strikers, no wingers, Eric Gates sitting off the front two, two semi-wide midfield players in Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen and Johnny Wark sitting in the holding role".69 During his 13-year tenure, he brought in only 14 players from other clubs, most notably Allan Hunter, Bryan Hamilton and Paul Mariner, relying instead on players developed through Ipswich's youth programmes,70 including Terry Butcher, George Burley, John Wark, Mick Mills, Colin Viljoen, Alan Brazil, Trevor Whymark, Brian Talbot, Kevin Beattie and Eric Gates, who all went on to play international football. His imports included Dutch players Frans Thijssen and Arnold Mühren.71 Robson "was not a tactical genius" but he "showed a talent for developing new players, with his good interpersonal skills, caring attitude, hard work and enthusiasm helping them to achieve their best".72

In 2002, in recognition of his achievements with the club, a life-size statue of Robson was unveiled opposite the Cobbold Stand of Ipswich Town's ground, Portman Road.73 On 7 July 2006, Robson was named as honorary president of Ipswich Town Football Club, the first since Lady Blanche Cobbold who had died in 1987.74

England manager

Robson's achievements with Ipswich earned him a job offer from the Football Association for the position of national coach in July 1982, and he declined an offer of a ten-year contract extension and increased salary from Ipswich director Patrick Cobbold.75 On 7 July 1982, two days after England were knocked out of the 1982 World Cup, he succeeded Ron Greenwood as coach of the England national team,7677 selecting former West Bromwich Albion teammate Don Howe as his chief coach.78

Robson's first match in charge saw immediate controversy, as he dropped Kevin Keegan for the match against Denmark.79 On 21 September 1983, Robson suffered his only loss in the 28 qualifying matches he was to undertake as England manager.80 The defeat, again to Denmark, ultimately led to England's failure to qualify for the 1984 European Championships81 and resulted in Robson offering to resign in favour of Brian Clough.82 The resignation was rejected by FA chairman Bert Millichip (primarily down to his and the FA's disdain for the controversial and outspoken Clough), and Robson went on to lead the England team to qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.83

England made a slow start at the World Cup, and captain Bryan Robson was injured with a recurrence of a dislocated shoulder.84 Bobby Robson changed the team's tactics for the final match of the first round, selecting Peter Beardsley ahead of Mark Hateley as a strike partner for Gary Lineker.85 The team won its next two matches, against Poland and Paraguay, 3–0, and qualified for the quarter-finals.86 England were defeated in the last eight by Argentina with a brace of goals from Diego Maradona, the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" he scored five minutes later.87 Robson was unimpressed by Maradona's claim of divine intervention:88

It wasn't the hand of God. It was the hand of a rascal. God had nothing to do with it... That day, Maradona was diminished in my eyes forever.

Robson's England dropped only one point in qualifying for Euro 1988, which included an 8–0 victory over Turkey.89 However, this was followed by failure at the tournament itself, held in West Germany, where England were eliminated in the group stage. They finished bottom of their group, succumbing to defeats against the Republic of Ireland, the eventual winners, the Netherlands, and the eventual runners-up, the Soviet Union.90 Robson was vilified by the British press, and after a draw in a friendly with Saudi Arabia in November 1988, one newspaper demanded, "In the name of Allah, go."91 Again Robson submitted his resignation, and again it was rejected by Millichip (again the FA's unwillingness to offer the job to Brian Clough is often cited as a reason).92

Robson led England without conceding a goal through the six-match qualification for the 1990 World Cup where they were one of six seeded teams.93 Again they were placed in a group with the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, with Egypt the fourth side.94 As in the 1986 World Cup, Robson was denied the service of his captain, Bryan Robson, who injured his achilles tendon which prevented him playing in the latter stages of the tournament.95 England topped their group, accumulating four points from their three matches.96 However, their progress was not without controversy. England changed formation from their traditional 4–4–2 to 5–3–2 incorporating a sweeper, with some sources suggesting this was due to player revolt after the 1–1 draw in the first match with the Republic of Ireland.97 Robson denied this claim:98

...I made the switch, not them. I had no intention of allowing van Basten and Gullit to rip holes in us...

This was followed by victories over Belgium and Cameroon in the knock-out stages, to set up a semi-final with West Germany.99 England lost the match on a penalty shoot-out, after the score had been tied at 1–1 following extra time.100 Robson said afterwards: "[N]ot a day goes by when [he] does not think about the semi-final and other choices [he] might have made."101102 Robson was the second coach, after Alf Ramsey, to take England to a World Cup semi-final, and the first coach to do so on foreign soil, an achievement not equalled until Gareth Southgate's team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.103

Robson's final game in charge of England was the third-place play off against hosts Italy, which England lost 2–1. He then took on the role as manager of PSV Eindhoven, and Graham Taylor was announced as his successor.

European club management

Before the 1990 World Cup, the FA told Robson it would not renew his contract as England manager, so he moved to the Netherlands to coach PSV Eindhoven,104105 succeeding manager Guus Hiddink, who had left the team after leading them to European Cup victory and four consecutive Eredivisie titles. PSV sought a manager capable of instilling discipline into a fractious squad, much as Hiddink had done previously.106 Robson described the move as "a culture shock" but felt "a sense of adventure".107 News of Robson's new position in the Netherlands became public before the start of the 1990 World Cup, leading to tabloid stories impugning Robson's patriotism; he sued Today for calling him a "traitor".108

The Dutch penchant for tactical debate surprised Robson. In an interview with Voetbal International, he lamented: "An English pro accepts the manager's decision. After every match here, the substitutes come and visit me."109 Another of his challenges at PSV was handling the Brazilian international Romário. Robson became frustrated with the Brazilian's work ethic, although admitted "in some matches he would be scintillating".110 Robson arranged showdown talks with Romário, with Frank Arnesen, Robson's assistant, acting as a translator. The talks proved unsuccessful, with Romário unwilling to change his lifestyle.111 Despite this, PSV won the Eredivisie in both the 1990–91 and 1991–92 seasons. However, the team did not make the progress expected by the board in European competitions and Robson was informed he would be leaving the club at the end of the 1991–92 season.112

Robson moved to Sporting CP in July 1992, where his Portuguese interpreter was a young José Mourinho. Robson guided the club to a third-place finish in his first season in charge while admitting the club was in "a terrible state". He described the club's president as a "loose cannon" who frequently signed players without Robson's consent.113 Robson was sacked in December 1993, with the club sitting at the top of the league table. Club president Sousa Cintra cited the club's early exit from the UEFA Cup, at the hands of Casino Salzburg, as the reason for his dismissal.114

Sporting CP's rivals Porto quickly hired Robson, with Mourinho appointed as his assistant manager. Living in the same apartment block at the time was another future Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager, the young André Villas-Boas, who, aged 16, introduced himself to Robson. Robson subsequently appointed Villas-Boas to work in the Porto observation department and helped him gain his UEFA "C" coaching badge in Scotland, despite him technically being ineligible as he was aged 17.115116 Porto were in a poor state when Robson arrived and the average attendance had dwindled to 10,000.117 The club promptly went on to beat Robson's former club, Sporting CP, in the Taça de Portugal final,118119 following that achievement with successive League titles in the 1994–95 and 1995–96 seasons.120

Such was the impact of Robson at Porto, he became known to the locals as "Bobby Five-O" in honour of the number of matches Porto won 5–0,121 and he signed a new contract with the club in 1995.122 Robson had malignant melanoma and missed the first few months of the 1995–96 season. He still successfully led Porto in defence of their league title.123

A phone call during the summer of 1996 from Barcelona vice-president Joan Gaspart to discuss Luís Figo resulted in an offer of employment with the Spanish club.124 Robson took over in July 1996, where again his assistant was Mourinho; Robson had made Mourinho's move with him to the Camp Nou a condition of his employment.125 One of the key decisions Robson made during his brief tenure at Barcelona was the US$19.5 million signing of Ronaldo,126 who was influential in a season when Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.127 Robson himself was voted European Manager of the Year for 1996–97, while Ronaldo stated, "as a trainer without doubt [Robson] is one of the greatest in the world".128

The 1997–98 season saw Robson moved "upstairs" to the general manager position, with Louis van Gaal taking over as manager,129130 but Robson stayed in this position for only one season before returning to manage PSV on a short-term deal for the 1998–99 season.131 PSV missed out on the league title, finishing third behind Feyenoord and Willem II,132 but Robson still led the club to victory in the Johan Cruyff Shield and also qualification for the UEFA Champions League on the last day of the season.133

Return to England

After Robson's contract with PSV expired, he returned to England to take up a position in the Football Association's technical department.134 Following the resignation of Ruud Gullit as Newcastle United manager, Robson moved to St James' Park in September 1999.135 Robson was disappointed with the club's opening salary offer, stating, "[I]t was miles below the going rate," but negotiated a one-year, £1 million deal.136

In Robson's first home match in charge, bottom-placed Newcastle faced second bottom Sheffield Wednesday, thrashing them 8–0. In his first season in charge, 1999–2000, Robson led the club to an 11th-place finish, with 14 wins from his 32 matches in charge.137138 In late 2000, following the resignation of ex-Magpies boss Kevin Keegan as England manager, the FA asked Newcastle club chairman Freddy Shepherd to permit Robson to take over in a part-time caretaker capacity, but the request was refused.139 Robson guided Newcastle from bottom of the Premier League to a fourth-place finish in the 2001–02 season.140 The following season, Newcastle finished third, ensuring qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive year.141 However, Robson was unable to guide Newcastle through the Champions League qualifying rounds, and the club was dropped to participate in the UEFA Cup for the 2003–04 season.142 At the end of the 2003–04 season, Newcastle finished fifth in the table, five points short of the Champions League qualifying fourth place but reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup before losing to Marseille.143

Robson held the Newcastle post until 30 August 2004, when he was dismissed by Freddy Shepherd, after a poor start to the Premier League season and alleged discontent in the dressing room.144 Robson's dismissal followed publication of his off the record observation of his disappointment that only 5,000 fans stayed to see the traditional lap of honour made by the players at St James' Park at the end of the previous season.145 However, he remains held in the highest esteem by some fans;146 he was granted the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne on 2 March 2005.147

What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It's not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes. It's the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It's a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father's hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.

– Robson148

Robson's second autobiography, entitled Bobby Robson: Farewell but not Goodbye was released in 2005.149 The title is based on one of his quotes upon leaving the England job in 1990: "I'm here to say goodbye—maybe not goodbye but farewell."150 In the book, Robson was critical of Shepherd, claiming that while manager he was denied information regarding the players' contracts and transfer negotiations. He also criticised Shepherd and the club's deputy chairman Douglas Hall, for their focus on the first team and St James' Park, causing them to neglect less glamorous issues, such as the training ground, youth development and talent scouts.151 The club's training ground was later blamed by Graeme Souness, Robson's successor, for a series of injuries to first team players.152

Football consultant for Republic of Ireland and retirement

On 7 June 2005, Robson declined the invitation to become director of football of Heart of Midlothian because he wanted to stay in the Newcastle area.153 On 13 January 2006, Steve Staunton was appointed manager of the Republic of Ireland national team, with Robson named in a support role as "international football consultant".154 Robson stepped down from his role of consultant on 17 November 2007 following the nation's final match in their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.155 Robson was a former vice president of the League Managers Association, a non-executive role.156

Style of management

Robson was known for his man-management skills, his composed and demanding yet caring style as a coach, and for his ability to motivate his players and build positive relationships with them, making him a well-liked figure among fans and players alike.157158159160161 His profile on the website of the "National Football Museum Hall of Fame" describes him as "a tough taskmaster," who was "fiercely loyal to those who gave their all, and never failed to get the very best out of his players."162 Gary Lineker opined that Robson "wasn't the greatest tactician of world football," but that "he had a good understanding of the game," describing him with the following words: "He was fiercely loyal to the players who served him well, he understood the game and he had this magnetic enthusiasm, not just for football, but for everything in life. You just wanted to go out there and run yourself into the ground for him and the team."163 Mourinho, who initially served as an interpreter and later as an assistant coach under Robson at Barcelona, praised him for his leadership and for his methodology in the attacking phase of the game.164 His style also influenced Villas-Boas, who worked under him at Porto.165 Robson often used a 4–4–2 formation throughout his career.166167 At Ipswich Town, however, he had used a 4–4–2 diamond, without wingers, and with a holding midfielder, and an attacking midfielder behind the strikers.168 During the 1990 World Cup, he also changed England's set-up and used a 3–5–2/5–3–2 formation with a sweeper.169170

Life outside football

Personal life

Robson met Elsie Gray on a trip back to his parents' home in Langley Park.171 Gray was a student nurse, and later a teacher.172 They were married on 25 June 1955173 with Fulham teammate Tom Wilson as Robson's best man.174

After 1991, Robson was repeatedly diagnosed with cancer. He had several operations and in 2006 was operated on for a brain tumour.175 This, on occasion, affected his work; while at Porto, for example, Robson had malignant melanoma, which resulted in his missing the first few months of the 1995–96 season.176177 On 17 October 2006, it was revealed that Robson had been given the all-clear and was set to see out his contract as consultant to the Irish team.178 Robson revealed on 7 May 2007 he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.179 On 17 May 2008, Robson was the guest of honour at the 2008 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium when Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1–0. He presented the trophy to the victorious captain, Sol Campbell.180

Other activities

Robson made a number of product endorsements, including an appearance in Carlsberg's "Best Pub Side" television commercial.181 He also acted as a pundit for ITV during the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.182

Bobby Robson Foundation

Robson defeated bowel cancer in 1992, a malignant melanoma in 1995, as well as a tumour in his right lung and a brain tumour, both in 2006. Treatment of these conditions had left him partially paralysed due to a stroke caused by the brain tumour, and also with a partially prosthetic upper jaw after the melanoma was surgically removed. His fifth diagnosis of cancer in 2007, consisting of cancerous nodules in both lungs, was diagnosed as terminal in February 2007, and as of December 2008, was being controlled through bouts of chemotherapy.183 After these experiences, and following his fifth diagnosis with cancer, Robson devoted the remaining years of his life to helping fight the disease. On 25 March 2008, he launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. The Foundation raised over £1 million,184 which funded equipment for the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, and would go on to fund other cancer projects in the North East of England.185

In aid of the Foundation, Robson's 1990 World Cup semi-final 4–3 loss after penalties against West Germany was replayed on 26 July 2009 as the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match at St James' Park, featuring players from the original 1990 World Cup squads and other special guests.186187 Robson was given a guard of honour before the match, which finished 3–2 to the England side.188

At the time of Robson's death, the Foundation had raised £1.6 million.189 Donations totalling £156,000 were received by the Foundation in the 18 days following his death,190 and on 15 October 2009, it was announced the Foundation had raised over £2 million, and that at the request of Robson's family, Alan Shearer would take over Robson's role as the Foundation's patron.191 It passed the £2.5 million mark in September 2010.192 Three other patrons were added in 2010, Steve Gibson, Mick Mills and Niall Quinn.193194195

Death

On 31 July 2009, Robson died of lung cancer at his home in Beamish, County Durham,196197 aged 76, after a long battle with the disease.198 After the news of his death, leading figures from the world of football and politics paid tribute to him. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called him a "great friend, a wonderful individual and tremendous football man". UEFA president Michel Platini said: "He will be remembered not only for his playing career and his outstanding managerial career at both club and international level, but also because he was a truly warm and passionate human being." Gary Lineker said, "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."199 Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair described Robson as a "real Geordie gentleman".200 According to the then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Robson "epitomised everything that is great about football in this country".201 His friend, the broadcaster Michael Parkinson, said, "Robson will be remembered long after the present lot are old bones. By his decency, his humour, his love of the game's traditions and origins and confusion at what it had become, he made present day football look what it is – shabby by comparison. I can think of no more fitting epitaph."202

Robson's funeral, a private family ceremony, took place on 5 August 2009. The location remained undisclosed at the request of his family until the funeral had taken place. It was later revealed to be Esh, County Durham.203 A thanksgiving service for Robson was held on 21 September 2009 at Durham Cathedral. One thousand invited guests attended the service, which was also broadcast live on national television, and to Newcastle United's St James' Park, Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground and Fulham's Craven Cottage.204 Robson was survived by his wife and their three sons: Andrew, Paul and Mark.205206

Achievements

Robson was awarded a number of honours for his contributions to football. In 1990, at the end of his eight-year reign as England manager, he was appointed a CBE in 1991207 and in 2002, he was knighted;208 both awards were for services to football.209210

In 2002 (during his time as Newcastle manager), the 69-year-old Robson was awarded the freedom of Newcastle upon Tyne and the UEFA President's Award for "services to football".211212 He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003 in recognition of his impact as a manager.213 Following his time as Newcastle United manager in 2005, Robson was made an Honorary Freeman of Newcastle,214 which, in his autobiography, he described as being "the proudest moment of my life".215 Robson also won the 1992 Football Writers' Association Tribute Award for an outstanding contribution to the national game,216 and the 2001 British Sports Writers' Association Pat Besford Trophy for Outstanding Achievement.217 In 2005, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Sports Coach UK Awards,218 and was also awarded the Eircom International Personality of the Year in 2006.219 On 9 December 2007, Robson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year show in recognition of "his contribution as both player and manager in a career spanning more than half a century".220

On 5 May 2008, during the 30th anniversary celebrations of Ipswich Town's 1978 FA Cup win, Robson was granted the Freedom of Ipswich by the Lady Mayor.221 On 8 December 2008, he earned another such accolade when he was given the Freedom of the City of Durham.222 In March 2009, UEFA awarded Robson the Emerald UEFA Order of Merit award, awarded to "individuals who have dedicated their talents to the good of the game".223 The award was presented to Robson at St James' Park on 26 July 2009, prior to the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match, and just five days before his death.224

Posthumous honours

In December 2009, Robson was posthumously awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award, for the "gentlemanly qualities he showed throughout his career as a player and coach".225 All English football league matches held a one minute's applause in his memory at the beginning of the 2009–10 season.226

The Football League gave Newcastle United and Ipswich Town special dispensation to wear special commemorative kits for their Championship match on 26 September 2009 at Portman Road, in aid of Sir Bobby's Foundation. At half-time during this match, the North Stand of Portman Road was renamed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.227228229

The first anniversary of Robson's death on 31 July 2010 was marked with a ceremony and pre-season friendly match at Newcastle's St James' Park, between two of his former clubs Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven, involving Robson's PSV captain Stan Valckx presenting a PSV shirt to the club.230

In July 2010, plans were unveiled for a memorial garden to Robson to be built in Newcastle. It was to be created by the city council in partnership with the regeneration company NE1Ltd, and located on Gallowgate street close to the Newcastle United stadium St James' Park. Work began on the site in November 2010, which was completed by Spring 2011. The garden covers 400 square meters, and features a tiered seating area and sculpted stone plinths reflecting aspects of his life and work. The area also hosts 400 square metre memorial garden to Sir Bobby Robson.231232

With a keen interest in cricket as well as football, Robson was to have replaced Mike Gatting as president of the Lord's Taverners charity and cricket club in 2007, but this was prevented by his ill-health. After his death, the club held a dinner in his honour, as "The best President we never had".233

In March 2011, the East Coast train operating company named one of its Class 91 electric locomotives Sir Bobby Robson, unveiled at Newcastle station by his widow Elsie and Alan Shearer.234235 Similarly, in December 2011, the Port of Tyne Authority named its new work boat the Sir Bobby Robson.236 On 6 May 2012, a statue of Robson created by sculptor Tom Maley was unveiled at St James' Park before a 2–0 defeat to eventual champions Manchester City.237 On 16 July 2013, marking the 150th anniversary celebrations of the FA, the FA designated 10 August as the Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day, celebrated as a day to celebrate the national game.238 In 2018, Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager, a feature-length British film about Robson's career and cancer diagnosis, was released to critical acclaim.239

In September 2020, the Sir Bobby Robson School opened in Ipswich. The school will serve children aged 8–16 with social, emotional and mental health needs.240

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fulham1950–51First Division1010
1951–52First Division163163
1952–53Second Division3519103619
1953–54Second Division3313113414
1954–55Second Division4223104323
1955–56Second Division2510202710
Total15268510015769
West Bromwich Albion1955–56First Division101101
1956–57First Division3912214113
1957–58First Division4124734827
1958–59First Division29411305
1959–60First Division41630446
1960–61First Division40510415
1961–62First Division39440434
Total2395618525761
Fulham1962–63First Division3412120382
1963–64First Division3912010421
1964–65First Division4212031472
1965–66First Division36630396
1966–67First Division4103030470
Total19299112121311
Vancouver Royals1967North American Soccer League
1968North American Soccer League
Career total583133327121627141

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England195712
195840
196060
196182
196210
Total204
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Robson goal. List of international goals scored by Bobby Robson241242
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
127 November 1957Wembley Stadium, London, England France2–04–0Friendly
24–0
315 April 1961Wembley Stadium, London, England Scotland1–09–31961 British Home Championship
410 May 1961Wembley Stadium, London, England Mexico3–08–0Friendly

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
FulhamJanuary 1968November 1968366921016.67
Ipswich Town24313 January 196918 August 1982709316173220044.57
England244July 1982July 199095473018049.47
PSV EindhovenJuly 1990June 19927652177068.42
Sporting CP1 July 19927 December 199359341312057.63
Porto30 January 199413 July 1996120862311071.67
BarcelonaMay 1996June 19975838128065.52
PSV EindhovenJuly 1998June 19993820108052.63
Newcastle United2 September 199924530 August 20042462551196472046.67
Total1,446718351377049.65

Honours

Player

England

Manager

Ipswich Town

PSV Eindhoven

Porto

Barcelona

Newcastle United

England

Individual

See also

Bibliography

Sources

  • "Robson, Bobby". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 11 February 2011. (Career statistics)

Further reading

  • Kuper, Simon (1996). Football Against the Enemy (chapter 11). Orion. ISBN 0-7538-0523-5.
  • King, Jeff (1997). High Noon: A Year at Barcelona. Virgin Books. ISBN 1-85227-633-9.
  • Harris, Bob (2004). Sir Bobby Robson: Living the Game. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 1-84188-244-5.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bobby Robson. Wikiquote has quotations related to Bobby Robson.

References

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