Bobby at Fulham in 1966, seeing off some fearsome oppostion! After six years of fine service to the Midlands club however, Bobby returned to Fulham in 1962, his departure caused by a wage dispute with the bigwigs of Albion. Bobby had just welcomed a second son into the world with Elsie, and financial security was very much at the forefront of Bobby’s mind. Though he loved playing at West Brom, these were the days when being a top class international footballer was little different from being a bus driver.
Back in West London, his salary was immediatedly doubled, and Bobby could at last enjoy some form of financial security. This was largely due to his Fulham team-mate, Jimmy Hill and his great work as president of the PFA (Professional Footballer’s Association). In 1961, Hill managed to get the ‘maximum wage’ for footballers abolished. Just before it’s abolition, it stood at (eat your heart out, Christiano Ronaldo) £20 per week.
Though far less ‘pacy’ with his advancing years, Bobby’s superb skill and technique were still there in his Fulham encore, so he played a further 192 games for Fulham over five years, eventually retreating into a more defensive role. (more…)
Part Two >> Sir Bobby.Robert William Robson 1933 – 2009.
“I have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left. I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go some time, and I have enjoyed every minute.” – Sir Bobby Robson.
This remarkably courageous and moving statement, made by Sir Bobby as his life was inexorably drawing to it’s end, was perhaps summed up best by James Marston in the Ipswich Evening Star when he wrote in his own tribute:
“Anyone who can say that, whoever they are and whatever they have done in life, is lucky indeed.”
Quite so, for he had a life affirming quality that made him respected and loved by almost everyone he came into contact with, and he relished it. The following is a biographical tribute to Sir Bobby, who will be sadly missed in many parts of the world. (more…)
Sir Bobby Robson.Sir Bobby Robson was buried earlier in a private family ceremony in the North East. He was laid to rest close to Langley Park, the village where he was raised as a miner’s son. Finally succombing to cancer after a tough eighteen year battle against the disease, he died last Friday at his home in County Durham.
Lady Elsie Robson and their sons, Andrew, Paul and Mark were joined by other relatives and close friends at the ceremony, and Lady Robson issued a statement on the funeral, the numerous tributes to the much loved and respected manager, and a forthcoming thankgiving service, which will also be held in the region. It reads as follows:
“Lady Robson has been overwhelmed by the wonderful tributes and messages of condolence and is very grateful that the family’s privacy has been respected at this sad time.
“Arrangements for the thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby’s life will be announced in due course.”
Sir Bobby at the Freeman Hospital.What has struck me, and I’m sure so many others over the past few days is not just the huge deluge of tributes from professional footballers, managers, big wigs, journalists and commentators, but also the universal response and outpouring of love from fans of all clubs, demonstrating the immense affection and esteem Sir Bobby was held in.
However the stories that have driven home for me what a special man he was have been the tales from Joe Public, people such as the courier who went to deliver a parcel to SBR’s home had the front door opened by the great man himself and was invited in for a coffee and a chat about football that lasted half an hour, the ex security guard from NUFC who standing outside in the pouring rain while the players and Sir Bobby arrived for training found, five minutes later, Sir Bobby outside giving him a brolley to ‘keep you dry son’ while Sir Bobby got soaked himself. The stories are endless but make you feel proud of him and the values he stood for. I feel immensely proud that this great colossus of a man was associated with and shared our love for this club. (more…)
I guess there is nothing really left to say, that hasn’t already been said. I’ve had time to reflect and still it’s impossible to accept that he is gone. The last twenty fours is evidence of how many people Sir Bobby reached with his greatness. Traditional rivalry forgotten because he cut across those boundaries because it was impossible to hold him in anything other than the highest regard.
As a Newcastle supporter and England supporter he played an influencing role in how I viewed and played the game. He made you want to be a better person. As a fellow Geordie, I am proud to have known he was one of us. But even though he was fiercely proud of his roots, he was not about regional boundaries. And as such he belonged to football families all over the world. We should mourn his sad departure but celebrate all the great things that came with Bobby Robson.
A mentor to many but a friend to us all, he was an inspiration. And his legacy within football and within life should be cherished and nurtured. Sorely missed but remembered so fondly, always. God bless you Sir Bobby.
Our thanks for use of the portrait go to Excelsior, an illustrator and Newcastle supporter, saddened as we all are.
