FanNation - The Republic of Sport

                 
                       BOBBY ROBSON 18 February 1933 -

August 7,2008  In my column today I have some sad news to report. Former player and coaching icon Sir Bobby Robson, who has been suffering from lung cancer for quite some time now, has admitted that he's losing his battle with the dreaded disease. His doctor's prognosis for him is very grim. So, with a heavy heart I have reluctantly accepted the news that Bobby won't be with us much longer.

I'm going to take a few minutes to look back at Robson's legendary career and at the same time wish him peace and comfort in his final days and months with us in a world that he tirelessly did so much to improve.

Sir Robert William Robson was born in Sacriston, County Durham, England 75 years ago. He began his professional career as an inside forward for Fulham FC in 1950. Fulham had been promoted to the English First Division shortly before Bobby arrived and their stay in the English Top Flight was a brief one, being relegated in the 1951-52 season. In March of 1956 Robson signed with West Bromwich Albion on a transfer fee of 25,000 Pounds (a club record at the time). During the 1956-57 season, Robson became Albion's leading scorer, finishing the campaign with a total of 24 goals. That total included a four goal display against Burnley in a 5-1 Albion victory. During is tenure at West Bromwich Albion, Robson played in 257 games and scored a total of 61 goals and was named team captain for the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons.

In August 1962 Bobby returned to Fulham after a heated salary dispute with Albion vice-chairman Jim Gaunt. Upon his return to Fulham came the news that Alan Mullery and Rodney Marsh, Fulham's two leading play makers were being sold. After years of club mediocrity and no sign of Silver Ware, Robson left Fulham yet again in 1967 and joined the Vancouver Royals as player/manager in their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League. His time in NASL proved to be dissatisfying for him and after only a few months in Vancouver, Robson departed back to England where he was offered the job as manager of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

During his playing career, Robson made 20 International appearances for England and was a member of the 1958 World Cup squad in Sweden, where England was knocked out of the running by the Soviet Union in a group playoff match. He was also He was selected for the 1962 World Cup finals in Chile but was unable to compete due to an ankle injury which he sustained in a friendly match weeks earlier.

COACHING CAREER  Beginning in 1968 as manager of Fulham, Robson went on to become one of the most successfull coaches in football history. After a single season at Fulham, he eventually coached eight more teams in his storied command : Ipswich Town, England, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Clube de Portugal, F.C. Porto, FC Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and spent the last five seasons of his career at the helm of Newcastle United. Robson retired from football in 2004 after having served 54 years in the game. His record as manager is an astounding 718 wins - 377 losses - 351 draws.

He 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. 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. However, he is still held in the highest esteem by the fans; he was granted the Freedom of the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 2 March 2005.

His autobiography, entitled Bobby Robson: Farewell but not Goodbye was released in 2005.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". 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. The club's training ground was later blamed by Graeme Souness, Robson's successor, for a series of injuries to first team players.

Robson married Elsie in 1955, and they have three children, Andrew, Paul and Mark.

 Bobby Robson recovering from operation

Since 1991, Robson has repeatedly been diagnosed as suffering from cancer. He has had several operations and, in 2006, was operated on for on a brain tumour. This has, on occasion, impacted on his work; while at Porto for example, Robson suffered from malignant melanoma, which resulted in him missing the first few months of the 1995-96 season. Following the brain surgery, Sky Sports News reported that Robson had had an adverse reaction that had caused slight swelling of the brain, which had in turn caused the loss of feeling in his left side. 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. Robson revealed on 6 May 2007 that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time. On Saturday 17th May 2008, Sir Bobby was the guest of honour at the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium when Portsmouth beat Cardiff City 1-0. He presented the trophy to the victorious captain, Sol Campbell.

That's my report for today. I want to thank Bobby for all that he's done for the game over the course of more than half a century and I think that he put it best when he said-

"Farewell But Not Goodbye"

SIR BOBBY ROBSON