The term ‘football legend’ is used way too often these days, I, and many others, have said this time and time again over the years – however England, Europe and the world has today lost one of the true great characters, personalities and legend of the game with the sad news that Sir Bobby Robson has passed away at the age of 76 after finally losing a long battle with cancer.
Sir Bobby was ‘what I knew about England’ as a youngster growing up, he was the England manager when my interest in football really look off and despite often appearing confused, something that caused no end of amusement to the viewing public, the guy was as sharp as they came and knew football, the world over, inside out!
You only have to look at Newcastle now, is it any coincidence that their decline started after they parted company with the man?
A true footballing legend in every sense, successful wherever he had been throughout Europe – he did the business in Portugal, Holland and Spain after he had done this in England before taking on the top job.
It was a really emotional night a couple of years back when he received his award at the sports personality of the year – you could see his own emotion, as you could everyone else’s in the arena that night. In typical Sir Bobby fashion he rambled on, but everyone was drawn to everything that he said.
When Pompey won the FA cup, it was Sir Bobby that was the guest of honour that day – then, as had been the case for so long before hand, he looked old an frail yet he still performed his duties and you could see the respect he commanded from everyone.
One of my all time great memories of any football, well to be fair a lot of them came from world cup Italia 90 where we made the semi finals before the now regular penalty shootout exit, was the one where the then England manager was caught on camera doing a little jig on the sidelines – fantastic stuff!
Sir Bobby had always been a fighter, he never gave in, but finally he has lost his final battle. Thankfully though it is said that he passed away peacefully – anyone that loves football must have loved Sir Bobby, he will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, maybe he rest in piece…
RIP Sir Bobby, a man fitting of the title.
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