I was on a train on my way to Munich airport when I got a text informing me of the news about Sir Bobby Robson. He was a football man, spending his playing career at Fulham and West Brom, before making a name for himself from managing. He took on the England job, managed Barcelona, Newcastle, PSV and Porto, amongst others.
Sir Alex Ferguson is amongst the people who have paid tribute to Robson.
“I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally,” Ferguson said. “And I’m sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that. In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. I mourn the passing of a great friend; a wonderful individual; a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed. His character was hewn out of the coal face; developed by the Durham County mining background that he came from. His parents instilled in him the discipline and standards which forged the character of a genuinely colossal human being. He added his own qualities to that which then he passed on to his sons. The strength and courage he showed over the past couple of years when battling against his fifth bout of cancer was indescribable. Always a smile; always a friendly word with never a mention of his own problems. The world, not just the football world, will miss him. Let’s hope it won’t be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them.”
Man Utd News 24/7
One of the few honest men in the game. A true legend who will be sorely missed in the world of football.
R.I.P a really really good manager, put Figo and Ronaldo on the map and coached the “special one” mourinho.
A great man. A gent and a legend. R.I.P. Sir Bobby
sad day RIP Sir Bobby
Legend!!! RIP Sir Bobby – Football has lost a true great!
RIP Bobby. I always liked him, he respected both SAF and Manchester United a lot, and it was reciprocal . Sacking him was the biggest mistake Newcastle ever made.
Good night True Knight….Go and talk football with Sir Matt! RIP Bobby
Hey guys. Costas reporting from Canterbury. How are you? I just found out about Sir Bobby. What a tragic loss. I always liked him. SAF must feel gutted. RIP Sir Bobby.
Welcome to England Costas mate. Are you well?
A part of football died today. A true gent, a great man and a fantastic manager. RIP Sir Bobby.
Sir Alex said that Bobby Robson used to call him before EVERY big game to wish him luck. Top bloke.
I am fine, thank you King Eric. Canterbury is a beautiful place. And i got hold of my tickets, so all is going well!
Can anyone of us truly remember another manager, apart from SAF, for whom we had so much respect? I don’t. I don’t know if you consider 76 an old age, but for someone so vibrant, he left us prematurely.
Rest in peace Sir Bobby Robson. A True Gent.
R.I.P. Sir Bob. Football is a definitely a duller place without you.
God Bless You.
R.I.P. What a great man he was.
There was once a time where I thought he would manage forever. A great man, definitely one of the all time legends by far.
R.I.P. Sir Bobby
never mind the footballer or the manager
r.i.p. sir bobby robson the man
Inspirational fella Sir Bobby, he believed in football from its very core and was a vital reminder of everything the beautiful game represents.
Love and thoughts go out to his family, a true gentlemen, professional and above all, a fan like us we will never forget. Thank you x
R.I.P. Sir Bobby, a great character and gentleman.
He was football through and through. A real gent who just loved the game, so gracious in both victory and defeat. One of footballs great managers, and a great man. In his 13 years at ipswich, he only signed 14 players from other clubs, the rest he brought through from the youth team, and he still took a small club and lead them to the UEFA cup. A Genius.
RIP Sir Bobby
I’m sad that he passed away while Newcastle are in such a state.
RIP Sir Bobby.
Yes, i feel sad that he’s dies when newcastle are in such a state. Whatever it is, it’s sad the club’s been relegated.And Sir Bobby must have been devastated.
RIP.You’ll always be in our hearts.
Ever so rarely comes a man who is of such resplendent character that his principles and charisma surpass the bonds of club , country and even sport to not only become an ambassador for all that is good in sport, but to become a beacon for all that is good in moral character and strength of personage.
Sir Bobby Robson was one such man, as fine a character as one could possible want to be, to become one of the world’s truly great gentlemen.
He will be remembered fondly even amongst those who barely knew him.
Rest in Peace, Sir Bobby.
A great man, a wonderful manager and (from what I have heard) an excellent professional footballer. We will all miss him. My favourite story about Sir Bobby is one from his Newcastle days. I’m not sure if I remember it correctly but United were playing Newcastle at St. James’ Park and Fergie got sent to the stands by the referee. Don’t remember why or when. Sir Bobby invited Fergie to watch the game from his office at the stadium (on the telly). Fergie went there but apparently he got into Sir Bobby’s biscuit tin and ate all of his favourites! Amazing. I really hope I remember it correctly coz I was just thinking at that time, what an absolute gent. I can’t think of any other rival managers who would have shown this courtesy. A throwback to an older, more decent generation. The likes of Benitez and Mourinho could learn a lot from him.
Rest In Peace Sir Bobby.
r.i.p. sir bobby
r.i.p. sir bobby r.
@ 20legend
tnx for the story.
if we talk about managers and courtesy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqbKBl22CA
“The likes of Benitez and Mourinho could learn a lot from him.”
So true.
Manchester United are hoping to snap up highly-rated Turkish striker Sercan Yildrim. Alex Ferguson has been alerted to the 19-year-old Bursaspor forward by his European scouts and is preparing a £3.5m bid. (Daily Star)
This is the biggest loss in football he not only affected people in England but all over the world he did it at both club and international level a huge loss and was a very upsetting day yesterday he will never be forgotten
One of footballs true gentlemen, a really top bloke.
R.I.P. Bobby
As has been said, you realise the kind of impact he made on football, let alone outside of it, when fans come together regardless of rivalries to mourn his loss. It’s not just Mourinho and Benitez – I think we can *all* learn something from him.
My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.
A truly great and humble man, he had a fantastic career both as a player and manager, he succeeded wherever he managed all over Europe. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad time. He will be missed by so many, I for one will miss his column in the sunday papers.
R.I.P. Sir Bobby Robson.
a couple of old Bobby stories but superb,
true gent
Journo to Shola Ameobi: “Do you have a nickname at the club?
Ameobi: “Not really, No”
Journo: “So what do the lads call you?”
Ameobi: “Shola”
Journo: “And what about Sir Bobby? What does he call you?
Ameobi: “Carl Cort”
Bobby is at a book signing in Newcastle, and a young kid comes up after queuing for ages
“Have you signed a lot of books today Sir Bobby?”
“Oh, hundreds son, hundreds”
The kid walks off with his signed book and glances down at the inscription; ‘Best Wishes, Bobby Hundreds.’
RIP to a true gent and a legend.
RIP Sir Bobby – True football man that all fans no matter which team they supported respected.
Paul the Red – I heard it was millions mate not hundreds. All the same a classic story!
Yea, although Sir Bobby was not the most successful in terms of trophies, but his influence was immense. Like mentioned, the likes of Ronaldo9 and Mourinho emerged from his care goes the show how good a mentor he was to the people under his care. Legend, period.
And, I am not sure about the rest of you, but if you think about it, Sir Alex’s age is not TAT far off from his. Is it time for of us to not start taking Sir Alex for granted, and truely appreciate what we have?
Marq – Absolutely mate. Sir Bobby was managing till he was 71 or 72 so by that measure we will have another 4 or 5 years out of the great man!
Surely most fans do appreciate what we have but unfortunately some people still find it necessary to slag him off and doubt him. Unbelievable.
RIP Sir Bobby Robson
A Legend & Gentleman of the game will be truly missed.
xx
Put the gent into gentlemen RIP Sir Bobby Robson.