Rest In PeaceThe news has of course been dominated by the sad death of Sir Bobby Robson, a man who managed to command universal respect and affection throughout the game and beyond. I will dedicate today’s news roundup to some of the tributes to Sir Bobby.
There’s a nice obituary in The Chronicle. I like Sir Bobby’s quote about Maradona’s goal from the 1986 World Cup: “It wasn’t the hand of God, it was the hand of a rascal.”
The BBC has tributes from many football personalities (and the Prime Minister) but I think Sir Alex Ferguson’s is particularly good:
“I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally. 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.”
Alan Shearer paid his own tribute:
”It’s a very sad day for everyone, especially his family, his close friends and anyone who’s ever worked with him.
”Bobby was a people’s man. He could get on with anybody no matter what age they were and that says a lot about the kind of man he was and why he was so highly thought of. (more…)
The mould was broken with this special manSir Bobby Robson died earlier today after losing his long battle against cancer. Nobody needs me to say much right now, as we all know what he was and what he meant to us, which is just as well because I don’t think I have the words right now. God bless you Sir Bob, thoughts go to your family on this sad day. A true legend in every sense of the word. Some great memories to cherish and never to be forgotten.
Shearer scores but still in limbo.Today I can begin with some good news. England beat Germany 3-2 to win the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy with goals coming from Les Ferdinand, Alan Thompson and Alan Shearer. The night, however, belonged to Sir Bobby Robson and his cancer research foundation to which the proceeds of the game were donated. Sir Bobby is, and forever will be, a shining example of the good side of football.
Alas I must now move on to less celebratory news. Shearer has spoken of his frustration about the current situation at Newcastle United, saying:
“I am the same as everyone else, I am in limbo – I don’t know what is going on.
“I know as much as you. I would dearly love it to be sorted out one way or the other then the club can move forward.
“Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great.”
He was also keen to dispel rumours that he’s close to walking away from things:
“I don’t know where that’s come from, it’s certainly not from myself. I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does.
“I’m a fan like everyone else and I don’t like to see the situation the club is in.” (more…)
Wor Pedro on Sir Bobby, and that night in 1990.Speaking on this evening’s Bobby Robson ‘Legends’ game, Peter Beardsley has declared that the night should be about Robson, and no-one else.
‘Pedro’, a true Tyneside legend in his own right, and a man Bobby himself referred to as “my little gem” said:
“It’s Bobby’s night, and nothing else should get in the way,”
“I’m sure we’ll all get a great reception, but he is the man, just as he was the man back in 1990.
“I know the fans may want to have their say on Alan (Shearer) and the situation at Newcastle now, but even that mustn’t overshadow the point of the occasion – paying tribute to Bobby.”
Offering some fascinating insights into what was a great match which many thought of as the real World Cup final, the mighty Beardo added: (more…)
Bobby's 'Legends' game this evening at SJP.Well somewhat predictably, one of the top stories today has been United’s 6 -1 hammering by lowly Leyton Orient, a game which I attended and wrote a match report about. Our caretaker manager, Chris Hughton was right to describe the game in the post match interview as “disappointing and embarrassing” , with Coloccini, Enrique and Nolan being the worst of a throughly bad bunch. Only perhaps Beye and Martins came out of the game with any kind of credit, with Gutierrez, Duff and Taylor, and perhaps Carroll, after he came on, being the ‘best’ (a highly relative phrase in this case) of the rest in a truly awful display.
Further quotes from Hughton on the game included:
“We didn’t win and we didn’t perform.”
and
“There are ups and downs in football and this was very much a down.”
