Bobby Robson - Im Dying

Peyton Manning

BOBBY ROBSON has won countless battles during a career which has earned him a permanent place in the nation’s hearts.

But his latest fight, sadly, will be his last.

English football’s favourite knight has admitted that a fifth bout of cancer affecting his lungs will be the one which sends him to his grave.

He knows his time is coming to an end in a matter of months.

Yet his legacy will never die. No one would ever let that happen.

Sir Bobby has taken on and outwitted many a top-notch coach and team in his glorious life.

From memorably leading Ipswich to domestic and European triumph to taking England unforgettably to the brink of World Cup glory, Robson knows what combat means.

Images of his jigs of touchline delight at Italia 90 will never fail to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

But taking on the illness that has hit him so cruelly once again is beyond him. Specialists have told the 75-year-old to prepare for the worst.Typically, he will fight until the bitter end.

Emotionally, he revealed to SunSport: “I have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left. I have been fortunate to survive this long. It is thanks to my doctors and their dedication.

“My condition is described as static and has not altered since my last bout of chemotherapy.

“They have arrested the growth of the tumours on my lungs and I have my next scan shortly.

“I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go sometime and I have enjoyed every minute.

“I don’t even think about it and my biggest problem today was unrelated, just old-fashioned laryngitis.” Caring, charismatic and with time for anyone, Robson is loved by all.

He may have been struggling with cancer for 17 years but continues to spread his warmth over everyone.

Donating a £500,000 cheque on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for a new dedicated cancer research centre in his beloved Newcastle yesterday simply said everything about the man.

Troubled times? The worst. You will not find him, though, shutting himself away in despair.

He added: “I am not going to sit around at home thinking about what might or might not happen.

“I have always found it difficult to turn down good causes and invitations from people I know.

“My family and close friends have always said I should say ‘No’ more often and now is no different.

“It has been a hectic summer. I have watched a couple of days of Wimbledon, several days of Test cricket and Durham county cricket.

"I had my own celebrity golf tournament in Portugal and managed to enjoy a few days holiday afterwards before returning to London, where I was honoured by the Football League Managers Association.

“They not only inducted me into their Hall of Fame with a host of celebrities but it was at a special dinner, the first of its kind.”

The word legend may be used too freely in the modern world of egotistical football stars. Yet it was made for blokes like Bobby Robson.

Will anyone ever repeat what he did with Ipswich, after a playing career which saw spells at Fulham, West Brom and Vancouver Royals plus caps earned for England?

A difficult start to managerial life with Fulham was put to bed when he strolled into Portman Road in 1969. At the end of a 13-year spell, the Tractor Boys had landed the UEFA Cup, the FA Cup and twice finished runners-up in the title race.

England came calling after a nightmare World Cup campaign in 1982.

It took Diego Maradona’s shameful Hand of God ‘goal’ to help send England home from the 1986 World Cup and, though failure followed in the 1988 European Championships, Italia 90 saw Robson at his best.

Carving a team built around the twinkling talent of Gazza, the finishing of Gary Lineker and the pride and power of Stuart Pearce, only a crushing penalty shootout defeat by West Germany stopped the Three Lions from reaching the final and exacting revenge on a sub-standard Argentina side.

He headed to PSV Eindhoven and discovered a striker called Ronaldo. Robson signed the Brazilian while bossing Barcelona, arriving in La Liga via Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

His spell at the Nou Camp saw the Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup all bagged in his first year.

The madmen at the Nou Camp promptly decided to push him ‘upstairs’ and after just a year he went back to PSV before, in 1999, returning ‘home’ to Newcastle.

He took the Toon on a rollercoaster of Champions League emotions before Freddy Shepherd shamefully dumped him in 2004.

A spell helping Steve Staunton with the Republic of Ireland followed but his ill-health continued.

An operation for a brain tumour in 2006 was negotiated. Then in May last year, cancer returned yet again — this time in his lungs.

Despite that, he is still bursting with an enthusiasm and love for football that should be studied by many of the money-grabbing mercenaries polluting the beautiful game today.

And the man is so special that Alex Ferguson even put to one side his bitter feud with the BBC last December to present him personally with a lifetime achievement award.

Very sad.

Xavi6

Almost as sad as his association with the FAI. Should never ever have agreed to take that job given his health.

Peyton Manning

The man loves football, he wanted to stay involved. Fair play to him too.

Xavi6

Sorry but that's no excuse. I've always liked Bobby but that whole fiasco sullied my opinion of him.

bohsman

Archimedes wrote: »

The man loves football, he wanted to stay involved. Fair play to him too.

He really didnt stay involved though, this will be my lasting memory of him http://shinymedia.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/difference_small_1.jpg

Xavi6

Lol that shit needs to be embedded -

Kinetic^

The 2 on the left are priests and not cowboys!!

AARRRGH

Xavi6 wrote: »

Almost as sad as his association with the FAI. Should never ever have agreed to take that job given his health.

Yep, comparing dying of cancer with working for the FAI... that's fair alright! :rolleyes:

/I hate :rolleyes: but I feel it was called for

mike65

For me its Portman Road that defines the man, a different age of course but its hard to imagine a comparible club being so sucessful for so long in the top flight now.

Mike.

Xavi6

AARRRGH wrote: »

Yep, comparing dying of cancer with working for the FAI... that's fair alright! :rolleyes:

/I hate :rolleyes: but I feel it was called for

I wasn't really making a comparison, more so stating the fact. Let's face it, it's unfortunately what he's going to be remembered for in Ireland.

Fratton Fred

Xavi6 wrote: »

I wasn't really making a comparison, more so stating the fact. Let's face it, it's unfortunately what he's going to be remembered for in Ireland.

I hope not.

Not his finest hour, true, but I hope he is remembered as a true gentleman who had a passion for football.

Very sad news this.

prendy

Xavi6 wrote: »

I wasn't really making a comparison, more so stating the fact. Let's face it, it's unfortunately what he's going to be remembered for in Ireland.

i disagree Xavi, i think he'll be remembered for his success as a manager. his part with the FAI was so small and short lived i think it will be forgotton a long time before him.

MisterAnarchy

Xavi6 wrote: »

Let's face it, it's unfortunately what he's going to be remembered for in Ireland.

Maybe by non football fans.
What about the rest of his career ?
The man is a legend and deserves to be respected not sullied .

Xavi6

prendy wrote: »

i disagree Xavi, i think he'll be remembered for his success as a manager. his part with the FAI was so small and short lived i think it will be forgotton a long time before him.

Football fans tend to have short memories, and one bad thing can outdo many good things.

In my lifetime (I'm 23) the only things Bobby has done is get England to the WC semis, get Newcastle to the Champions League, manage Barca and be one of the two blokes involved in the most shambolic episode ever seen with our national team. Which one stands out for this generation?

event

Xavi6 wrote: »

I wasn't really making a comparison, more so stating the fact. Let's face it, it's unfortunately what he's going to be remembered for in Ireland.

not by most sensible fans

most people will see him for the legend he was, not the ****e that went on in the FAI and how they hung him out to dry

joker77

prendy wrote: »

i disagree Xavi, i think he'll be remembered for his success as a manager. his part with the FAI was so small and short lived i think it will be forgotton a long time before him.

+1

dubmick

I'm going to block the FAI thing out of my mind, anyway you never saw much of him during that period.

I'll remember him for the World Cup in 1990.

Xavi6

event wrote: »

not by most sensible fans

most people will see him for the legend he was, not the ****e that went on in the FAI and how they hung him out to dry

He really shouldn't have got involved though if he wasn't well.

dubmick wrote: »

I'm going to block the FAI thing out of my mind, anyway you never saw much of him during that period.

But wasn't that part of the problem?

pickarooney

I didn't even know he'd been invovled with the FAI and don't see why anyone would consider that important in the grand scheme of his career.

dubmick

yep

but that's why I won't remember him for that. Maybe everyone in this thread is a bit older than you and remembers a bit more ? I even remember him at the 86 World Cup

Xavi6

pickarooney wrote: »

I didn't even know he'd been invovled with the FAI and don't see why anyone would consider that important in the grand scheme of his career.

He was given a very important role with the FAI - to groom and mentor the national team coach. The fact that you didn't know speaks volumes about how ineffective he was (due to illness of course).

dubmick wrote: »

yep

but that's why I won't remember him for that. Maybe everyone in this thread is a bit older than you and remembers a bit more ? I even remember him at the 86 World Cup

Which is why I said my generation.

Savman

I remember Stan getting a pounding from fans and media and the FAI being the men they are sent on an old, frail, ill Bobby Robson onto national radio as a flak jacket. Even by FAI standards, that was a new low.

Never did quite forgive them for that stunt personally.:mad:

kensutz

As much as I hate Ipswich and everything associated with them, Bobby is a true gent. I met him a few times at Carrow Road and he will always take his time out to talk to people/sign autographs. The man lives and breathes football. Probably the best thing that came out of that dump.

bohsman

pickarooney wrote: »

I didn't even know he'd been invovled with the FAI and don't see why anyone would consider that important in the grand scheme of his career.

Because the majority of people here support Ireland, bit like talking about Sven on an English message board in 20 years time and being surprised that everyone goes on about his failures with their National team.

pickarooney

bohsman wrote: »

Because the majority of people here support Ireland, bit like talking about Sven on an English message board in 20 years time and being surprised that everyone goes on about his failures with their National team.

Whereas his greatest achievements were this and this.

Big Ears

Xavi6 wrote: »

Football fans tend to have short memories, and one bad thing can outdo many good things.

In my lifetime (I'm 23) the only things Bobby has done is get England to the WC semis, get Newcastle to the Champions League, manage Barca and be one of the two blokes involved in the most shambolic episode ever seen with our national team. Which one stands out for this generation?

Newcastle for me, some of the most exciting football I've seen and he managed to bring back success to the club after the disastrous Dalglish and Guillit eras and the form of the club since his departure says it all.

I was very sad when I saw this news earlier today, Bobby is just one of those giys that you wish could live forever. It's incredibly difficult to find someone who can match his enthusiasm and passion for the game, aswell as being such a gentleman.

Daysha

Xavi6 wrote: »

Should never ever have agreed to take that job given his health.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but didn't Sir Bobby take the job before his health problems reoccurred?

Xavi6

Xavi6 wrote: »

Football fans tend to have short memories, and one bad thing can outdo many good things.

In my lifetime (I'm 23) the only things Bobby has done is get England to the WC semis, get Newcastle to the Champions League, manage Barca and be one of the two blokes involved in the most shambolic episode ever seen with our national team. Which one stands out for this generation?

Doing anything at all with either England or Newcastle is as much of an achievement as winning the CL with a big club IMO.



You're being very harsh here, the guys football through and through and he is literally the nicest guy in football.

Chong

I for one am very saddened about this, the man was an excellent manager, and what always seemed to be a top bloke.

To people bitching and moaning about Bob and the FAI, ffs give it up. Two parties were wrong in that situation and it was Steve Staunton and the FAI.

Quit your whinging about Sir Bob.

Chong

Deleted User wrote: »

Doing anything at all with either England or Newcastle is as much fo an achievement as winning the CL with a big vclub IMO.



You're being very harsh here, the guys football through and through and he is literally the nicest guy in football.

Hear Hear Neil.

OPENROAD

Savman wrote: »

I remember Stan getting a pounding from fans and media and the FAI being the men they are sent on an old, frail, ill Bobby Robson onto national radio as a flak jacket. Even by FAI standards, that was a new low.

Never did quite forgive them for that stunt personally.:mad:

Remember that very well, terrible that Sir Bobby was sent on Liveline rather than fai or staunton a point if I recall most callers made.

Mad Dog

I for one remember his great Ipswich team of the late 70's and wish him well with his fight against cancer.

GrumPy

Ahh poor Bobby

MIN2511

Guys this is hypocritical, when he was in charge (not really) I bet so many people criticised him now because he's dying we are all ignorant about his time in Ireland as ?????

OPENROAD

Deleted User wrote: »

You're being very harsh here, the guys football through and through and he is literally the nicest guy in football.

He certainly is, happened to be staying in the same hotel in Cardiff few years ago for FA Cup semi final,Sir Bobby was there in the bar and posed for photos and signed autographs troughout the night, a true gentlemen, very sad news indeed.

DeadSkin

Xavi6 wrote: »

Almost as sad as his association with the FAI. Should never ever have agreed to take that job given his health.

And that's a sentiment to the man, he loved football and he wanted to pass on what knowledge he had of it.

I'll remember Italia '90, but what makes me smile about the man was his struggle to remember/pronounce some players names over the years[none spring to mind now], The Fiver in The Guardian nicknamed him Robby Bobson .
I wish him well .

OPENROAD

MIN2511 wrote: »

Guys this is hypocritical, when he was in charge (not really) I bet so many people criticised him now because he's dying we are all ignorant about his time in Ireland as ?????

Couldn't care less how he did with Ireland and I think you will find very few criticised him at the time.

Ruu_Old

Sad, won't forget that radio interview either. The interviewer was ruthless and cruel to a point and never let him have a word in edgeways. He was obviously in pain.

OPENROAD

Ruu wrote: »

Sad, won't forget that radio interview either. The interviewer was ruthless and cruel to a point and never let him have a word in edgeways. He was obviously in pain.

That wasn't the Liveline one was it?

Ruu_Old

Sorry can't remember, think it could have been a different time. He could barely speak is all that I can remember.

Chong

OPENROAD wrote: »

Couldn't care less how he did with Ireland and I think you will find very few criticised him at the time.

I agree a 100% with this, I couldnt give a flying toss what he did with Ireland. The man is a true gent , is the epitome of football.

I come at this angle being " a foreigner " I have seen what he has done for a dutch club being PSV, robbing the title from under our noses two years running. I have nothing but true respect for this man, having met him in Schipol Airport as a kid back when managing at PSV, he signed autographs for me and my family, and we were in awe at this man true niceness(is that word ).

Genuine good guy!

Pigman II

All part of what I choose to call "The curse of Stan".....

Big Ears

DeadSkin wrote: »

but what makes me smile about the man was his struggle to remember/pronounce some players names over the years[none spring to mind now], The Fiver in The Guardian nicknamed him Robby Bobson .
I wish him well .

Interviewer to Shola Ameobi: So do you have a nickname at Newcastle?
Ameobi: No not really
Interviewer: So What does Bobby Robson call you ?
Ameobi: Carl Cort

Robson after a terrific Newcastle performance:
I thought the lads were magnificent today, we had movement, speed......by which I mean pace......we had Gary too.

Denis Irwin

Such a shame to hear Bobby is a true gentleman and legend of the game.

jaykay74

MIN2511 wrote: »

Guys this is hypocritical, when he was in charge (not really) I bet so many people criticised him now because he's dying we are all ignorant about his time in Ireland as ?????

Are you sure you know what you are talking about He was never in charge and most rightly blamed the FAI and Stan. Robson has been battling cancer on and off since 91. He was recovering when he took the consultant role and the cancer returned. Attaching any blame to Robson WTF, should he have known it would return ?? (not you MIN2511, others). The FAI are also to blame for not replacing Robson when it became clear he couldn't be of more help to Stan who lets face it was a hopeless cause even if Fergie, wenger and mourinho signed up as joint consultants.

I don't think anyone could make a coherent argument where Robson can be blamed for the reign of Stan. Robson and Stan had employers who if they thought Robson couldn't perform his duties should have terminated his contract and replaced him. They didn't, their fault.

MIN2511

jaykay74 wrote: »

Are you sure you know what you are talking about He was never in charge and most rightly blamed the FAI and Stan. Robson has been battling cancer on and off since 91. He was recovering when he took the consultant role and the cancer returned. Attaching any blame to Robson WTF, should he have known it would return ?? (not you MIN2511, others). The FAI are also to blame for not replacing Robson when it became clear he couldn't be of more help to Stan who lets face it was a hopeless cause even if Fergie, wenger and mourinho signed up as joint consultants.

I don't think anyone could make a coherent argument where Robson can be blamed for the reign of Stan. Robson and Stan had employers who if they thought Robson couldn't perform his duties should have terminated his contract and replaced him. They didn't, their fault.

I said

not really

Jazzy

sad stuff. good manager with one of the biggest passions for the game we have ever seen


loving the sig Archimedes. Pint of Directors Bitter ?

Eirebear

All the best Bobby, a true football man in every sense of the word.

Yes his time with the Irish set up was a disaster, but the man is only human and i dont think anyone can say he took the job in the faith that he could do well within it.

kinaldo

Will always be a legend.

DeadSkin

Sir Bobby to Bryan Robson: Good morning, Bobby.
Bryan: You’re Bobby, I’m Bryan!

Daysha

Sorry for dragging this up, but a friend of mine over England saw Sir Bobby at some book signing today and said he didn't look great at all. Here's a picture of him just a few days ago becoming an Honourary Freeman of Durham award.



Horrible to see him like that. I'll say it again, one of the greatest characters in the history of British football.