The passing of Sir Bobby Robson has come as such sad, sad news to us all.
He was the most likeable of people, such a warm, convivial human being. He had such a vitality about him, for life and of course, the game of football.
He understood football and he understood people who loved football like he did. He welcomed anybody - and I mean anybody - if they wanted to talk about the game.
Robson in 1990: even under pressure, always had time to talk
It could be a keen young novice commentator like myself, a seasoned pro, fellow manager or just a fan wandering past the ground: he wasn't a football snob in any way, shape or form. He had time for everybody who loved the game and wanted to talk about it.
When I was starting out as a commentator, Bobby was already well-established at Ipswich, but he couldn't have been kinder and that is something I never forgot - or ever will. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome whenever our paths cross and would always find time to talk.
I have my personal memories of Sir Bobby Robson and will always cherish them, but the whole footballing world will miss him because he was quite simply a one-off. It's as if a little bit of the sun has gone out for us all...
Martin Tyler
Quotes of the week
I remember once when we were playing in a charity game somewhere in Suffolk, he invited every one of the players round to his house afterwards.
Honoured
There we were on our team bus, heading to Bobby's house for a drop of wine and of course, a good chat. To this day I am proud and honoured that in his book, there is a picture of him playing in that very game - and there I am in the background!
Of course, his miracles with Ipswich led to the England job and I commentated on pretty much every international game back then. And as head of the national side, he was exactly the same man who had been so kind to a young commentator a few years earlier.
Of course, he came closer than any other England manager to winning the World Cup away from home soil, but don't forget he was almost hounded out of the post and went to Italia 90 knowing his contract was up.
I remember it was the eve of the Egypt game in Cagliari and had England lost they would've been out and Bobby would've been out of a job. So, I rang him the night before to thank him for all he'd done for me just in case our paths didn't cross for a while and we ended up chatting for what seemed like hours. I think I had to wind the call up by reminding he had a game to go and win!
But despite the pressure - and we all know what England managers go through - not once did you hear Bobby complain. Not once did he change or turn his back on anyone. Through the good times and the not-so-good times, he never wavered in his personality.
Tributes
Nor did he waver in his footballing beliefs. Going even further back to 1986 and the run-up to those World Cup finals in Mexico, we were out in Egypt for a friendly game at the end of January. He was getting a lot of stick for the game and a lot of the regulars had pulled out, but he still insisted he was doing the right thing.
Well, Bobby gave a debut to one Peter Beardsley in Cairo, and he scored in a confidence-boosting 4-0 win and of course, went on to have a distinguished England career. I remember Bobby saying to me at the time: "Try telling Peter Beardsley this trip has been a waste of time."
You have to look at the tributes that have been pouring in from around the world to know it wasn't just English hearts he touched. At PSV, where he brought through Ronaldo no less, and Barcelona they adore him and I can tell you he is absolutely revered in Portugal.
I was in Rotterdam when he won the Cup Winners' Cup with Barca and will never forget the way his players celebrated with him. They, like those that were fortunate enough to spend any amount of time with him just couldn't help but be affected by his enthusiasm for the game.
When we heard the news out here in Beijing, you could sense that. Keiron Dyer, who spoke so well after the game, was in tears and although the minute's silence was impeccably observed I think Keiron is right when he says we should celebrate Bobby's life with applause.
He wouldn't have liked all the sadness and grief we've seen today, because that's not him. Even when he knew the writing was on the wall he never sat back, he was always at games, always talking about the game.
Sympathies
It says something that while this is sad, sad news, we have been expecting it for a while, yet he was still getting on with life, still raising money for charity, still smiling. And never complaining.
He was always immaculately turned out as well, right to the end. As a player, he was always neat and tidy in his appearance and play and as a man, always so well dressed.
You could tell he had a strong set of beliefs behind him and you could tell that he had a wonderful family life away from football. Our thoughts and sympathies must be with them.
Above all though, he was just so easy to get on with, so easy to talk to. It is no surprise people have been queuing up to pay tribute to him because he was - and trust me, it is hard to use the past tense - such a very, very special person.
I have my personal memories of Sir Bobby Robson and will always cherish them, but the whole footballing world will miss him because he was quite simply a one-off. It's as if a little bit of the sun has gone out for us all...
Comments (64)
Tom David (Liverpool fan) says...
As a Liverpool fan, I offer our deepest sympathy to his family from all on the kop. The word legend is overused, and should be reserved for people such as Sir Bobby. A true great of the game and for all people in the game to respect. Rest in Peace, You'll never walk alone
Posted 23:58 6th August 2009
Andrea Blackwell says...
I worked at the FA for several years whilst Sir Bobby was there and you couldn't have wished to meet a nicer person. He used to travel quite regularly on the tube from Lancaster Gate to Liverpool Street and then get the train home to Ipswich at that time. Supporters used to confront him on the tube, but he was always pleasant to them and chatted happily with them on his journey. I support Spurs and can remember that when Spurs reached the Cup Finals in 1981 and 1982, he offered me his additional purchase tickets as he said that he knew they would be going to genuine supporters - I can't think of anyone else who would have done so. The FA staff were taken out to Italy when England reached the World Cup semi-finals and, although we were not in the same hotel as the team, we were allowed in to their hotel for a drink with the staff in the evenings. I have such wonderful memories of that time and what an absolute gentleman Sir Bobby was. May his sole rest in peace and condolences are sent to his close family at this very sad time.
Posted 13:25 6th August 2009
Alan Macleod (Manchester United fan) says...
The moment Newcastle decided to let Bobby Robson go they have been in decline, they were WRONG when they decided to dispense with his services (just as they are wrong not have appointed Shearer now) There team at the time was a whose who of the best young british footballing talent, Bowyer, Dyer, Bellamy, Jenas, A. Hughes, Woodgate, Vaiana, Lua-Lua, Parker, Given, Bramble, & Alan Shearer as captain. Now they have lost it all, and Bobby Robson brought not just great knowledge and astute mind to find best talent, but he brought grace and nobility which are sadly lacking in todays game. One can only wonder at the board at Newcastle and think do they know anything about football? Since they have spent VAST sums on foreign duds Luque, Owen, Emre, Barton, Boumsong, Beye, Cacapa, Babayayro, Faye, and sold all the good YOUNG british players, Given, A. Hughes, Parker, Dyer, Woodgate, Milner, Jenas, Nzogbia, Ramage, Edgar They have shown no wisdom which Robson had in spades to invest in the future, be careful with your spending, DON'T panic buy! A shame for Robson to see in his last days how not to run a club, LOVELY MAN! RIP (and I'm a Man Utd fan!)
Posted 13:05 6th August 2009
Peter Ceva says...
A great man ,who we all respected and loved , Real Mallorca fan
Posted 10:45 6th August 2009
Andy Dodds (Newcastle United fan) says...
god bless u, u were let down by your country then your club then has to see the state in which HIS club is being damaged get it sorted ashley if not for the ppl for him true gent in every respect stay strong elsie you had 1 hell of a bloke
Posted 17:37 5th August 2009
Philip Hymers (Newcastle United fan) says...
i think worlwide newcastle supporters are in shock about this, and he will be missed
Posted 13:34 4th August 2009
Adrian Warren (Nottingham Forest fan) says...
The simple truth is the world cannot afford to lose such a great man, it is not just football that carries a heavy heart with this sad passing. God bless you Bob, you were simply a FANTASTIC HUMAN BEING.
Posted 13:03 4th August 2009
Tanya Johnson (Newcastle United fan) says...
Football has lost the true gentleman of football. No matter how bad he always believed in his players and the fans that stood and cheered them on. He was the greatest embassador for the game and even through his illness still turned out to watch his beloved Newcastle. You will always be missed. My thoughts are with his family and I hope heaven is grateful for the great Geordie Gentleman.
Posted 21:54 3rd August 2009
Sophie Rowley (Newcastle United fan) says...
Its such a shame Sir Bobby Robson is no longer with us. He truely was a legend R.I.P
Posted 17:09 3rd August 2009
Tom Rabie (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Heaven is definitly a better place, since the passing of Sir Bobby Robson, as an avid football fan in South Africa,I cannot begin to say how much enjoyment my friends and I got from watching the great Ipswich side, during Bobbys reign as manager, I remember them putting 6 past united. I was enthralled by England during the 86 and 90 world cups,I unfortunatly didnt see much of PSV , Porto, or Barce during Bobbies time there, but thinking back, specially to his Newcastle days, I wanted his teams to do well, because I liked and respected him so much. His common decency, and humanity where always plain to see,I wasnt even aware of his 5 bouts with cancer, which in its self says so much for his character, GOD BLESS, Sir Bobby, and my Prayers go out to his wife and sons.I imagine Bill Nic ,Shanks, Cloughy, Don Revie, Jock Stein, were all there to welcome him, and they are talking about the beautiful game.
Posted 16:01 3rd August 2009
Chris Sunter (Manchester United fan) says...
i never really new what this amazing man did for the world of football. by the time i came in to watching football his amazing carrer was drawing to a close. but he was a fantastic man. just to think that 1 man could bring some of the fierset rivalries in world football to a stand still while we all admire the life of a footballing legend is amazing. he did amazing things both as a manager and as a player. and although i only saw the back end of his career im privaliged to of seen such a great man doing the thing he loved...football. r.i.p
Posted 14:24 3rd August 2009
Anthony Babiolakis (Liverpool fan) says...
Whilst on holiday in Mauritius in Christmas 1998, I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Bobby out for a stroll on the beach with his wife. Even though we only chatted very briefly, you could tell immediately that here was a warm, sincere gentleman, who always made time for everyone. His passing saddens me and my sympathies are with his family.
Posted 11:37 3rd August 2009
Simon Baker (Manchester United fan) says...
A true gentlemen of the sport. He will rememberd along side the great chacters of football such as Busby,Charlton,Cloughie and Ferguson he has that type of aura around him.He would take time to spk to the working man/woman in any country,that says a lot about the type of person he was.He shall be missed greatly in the game but never forgotton.
Posted 22:35 2nd August 2009
James Meek (Newcastle United fan) says...
I finally met my hero Sir Bobby Robson back in March at the Manchester United game. I was in the directors box as a treat from my boss. I was so pleased to see him and shake his hand he had time for everybody that night and i will never forget it, i am only 22 years old but he is an inspiration for me and a hero. Sir Bobby thank you for the memories and for being such a gentleman the world could do with more people like you, R.I.P.
Posted 21:51 2nd August 2009
Chris Shearon (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...
Sir Bobby Robson was quite simply a legend,a great man and a great manager.I always enjoyed reading his mail on sunday columns, his knowledge of the game was second to none and he was never afraid to speak his mind.I have no doubt his two former clubs West Brom and Newcastle will pay special tribute to him next saturday and hopefully put on a footballing show worthy of the great man, God Bless you Sir Bobby.
Posted 19:50 2nd August 2009
Stu Eglon (Newcastle United fan) says...
a quite remarkable man total one off ,thanks for the memories.r.i.p.sir bobby.
Posted 19:38 2nd August 2009
Richard Ellis (Newcastle United fan) says...
wot a legend, in my life time he was the greatest manager weve had for england and newcastle, my thoughts go out to your family sir bobby, truely loved through out the world. a lot of players owe you so much gratitude, for making them who they were today, past and present, R.I.P sir bobby you will be missed so much1 lets hope the current squad at newcastle pick themselves up and get us back in the premiership for the memory of sir bobby, and the club need to raise a statue in honour of wot he achieved, and why not name a stand after him to.
Posted 17:49 2nd August 2009
Bev Nix (Chelsea fan) says...
sir bobby will be sadly missed , we have all lost a truly magnificent man , may you rest in peace sir bobby , i for one will never forget you
Posted 17:29 2nd August 2009
Tim Lennon (Manchester United fan) says...
RIP Sir Bobby Robson " The Greatest" An inspiration to millions thanks for all the Italia '90 memories.
Posted 12:58 2nd August 2009
Zohaib Mohammed (Manchester United fan) says...
Newcsatle could give a proper tribute to Sir Bobby by winning promotion and hiring a manager with less than a week to the season to start, for some reason i dont think the situation at newcastle gave him any comfort in his last days.
Posted 12:27 2nd August 2009
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