Sir Bobby Robson

Today, Monday the 18th of February, is a day that will always be remembered on Tyneside as Sir Bobby Robson's birthday. If Sir Bobby was still with us today he would have turned 80 years old and would no doubt still have a furor and passion for Football.

　

As a 29- year- old Newcastle United supporter, I have had the privilege of following my team through 2 great spells. Kevin Keegan and his entertainers grabbed the imagination of the country as he dared try to win the Premier League while playing a brand of football that we had never before witnessed on our shores. The second of these purple patches for NUFC was when Sir Bobby returned home in 1999 and led us on an adventure from the bottom of the league to the heights of the Champions league. There was never a dull moment under Bobby. Today is an appropriate day to look back at this marvelous man and recap his spell in charge of his beloved NUFC.

Sir Bobby, eventually took charge of his home town club at the end of a career which took him across Europe working with many tops clubs - Barcelona, Porto, and PSV to name a few and many top players such as Romario, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Sir Bob also had a high profile spell as England manager - which is the top job for any Englishman. Under Robson England were one Chris Waddle penalty away from a place in the World cup final at Italy 1990.

Sir Bobby returned home to find his team sitting at the bottom of the Premier league after several seasons of struggles under Kenny Daglish and Ruud Gullit. I can still picture Bobby's arrival and the crowds that gathered to see him at the Leazes end of St James Park. Bobby is one of us and knew exactly what it meant to be the manager of Newcastle United.

Robson’s era on Tyneside started against Sheffield Wednesday who were dispatched back to Yorkshire after a 8-0 defeat against a resurgent NUFC led by their 5 goal hero captain Alan Shearer and the knight sitting in the managers hot seat. Newcastle went on to finish a respectable 11th that season and any fan could see that the foundations for a brighter future were being put in place and a sense of optimism was returning.

That season I was able to attend my first and only match at the old Wembley stadium as NUFC reached the FA cup semi-final and faced Chelsea. Although we lost 2-1 against the Londoners that day, it is a match that will live long in my memory and under Robson it left that we would have many more days just like this one. Sir Bobby was restoring the Geordie pride into the team which the fans loved to see.

Bobby went about re-shaping the squad, bringing in his players and moving on those who he did not fancy. There was a large emphasis on bringing quality young players who would add pace and energy to the team. Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Jenas, Jonathan Woodgate, Titus Bramble all arrived alongside talented Laurent Robert and much acclaimed Portuguese youngster Hugo Vianna. Bobby was shaping his team and suddenly Newcastle once again were known as one of the most exciting teams in the league. The blend of youth and experience worked so well as Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, and Shay Given led a young United team.

 

Newcastle were mixing with the big boys in the Premier League and seemed more than capable of holding their own. We were pushing for the title over the following years and were involved in exciting title run in's. Robson let Newcastle to 4th, 3rd and 5th finishes in the Premier league – Robson’s Newcastle regularly out performed Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs in the league standings.

Robson brought Champions league football back to the club and we went on to enjoy many fantastic nights against the best clubs in Europe. That night, away to Feyenoord, when Craig Bellamy scored a last minute winner to send the club through to the next level of the competition will live long in the memory of all Newcastle fans. Newcastle travelled to Inter Milan and Barcelona and put in performances to be proud of and the whole of Europe were introduced to the fanatical support of the Toon Army.

Times like this should be our lasting memories of Sir Bobby's time at Newcastle United.

Bobby Robson’s legacy is far reaching. He was loved all over the world and looking today at the elite of European football we can see the influence this great man has had on the game.

Jose Mourinho - Real Madrid manager who worked with Bobby at both Porto and Barcelona

"I want to and I will keep with me always the Bobby Robson of every day, a person who had extraordinary passion for life and for football, with an extraordinary enthusiasm.

"Bobby Robson is one of those people who never die, not so much for what he did in his career, for one victory more or less, but for what he knew to give to those who had, like me, the good fortune to know him and walk by his side".

Andre Villas Boas - Tottenham manager who first encounter Robson as a neighbour in Portugal.

"Sir Bobby is one of the great managers of the game and without him I probably would not be where I am now.

“He offered me a unique opportunity to get involved in football, taking me under his wing when I was still a teenager. He is enthusiasm and passion for management certainly rubbed off on me. He was not only a great manager but a great man and I will never forget his generosity towards me, he will always be an inspiration."

Robson’s influence can also be seen in Pep Guardiola who played under Robson at Barcelona. Pep is now seen as one of the top coaches in the world.

It is clear to see the footballing world loves wor Bobby just as much as we do.

I could talk about Sir Bobby all day long - looking back at the relatively short time he spend withe Newcastle United brings a smile to my face. Sir Bobby Robson. A great manager, and more importantly a gentleman. He certainly is one a kind, the likes of which we will never see again.

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