The nine and a half foot bronze statue of Bobby Robson was unveiled at St. James’ Park at 1:30 pm yesterday morning, just three hours before the game kicked off against Manchester City.
A fitting statue to the great manager Bobby Robson
And it’s a wonderful statue and credit goes to the Newcastle Board for commissioning such a statue which will now forever grace St. James’ Park, and remind supporters of just how great Bobby was in his career.
And in particular from 1999 through 2004, when he managed his home town club, and had the lads competing in the Champions League.
The status looks just fantastic, and certainly Lady Elsie and the Robson family, who were there for the ceremony, were delighted with it, and rightly so.
Bobby would have been looking down on this with great pride, and it’s just a pity that the lads couldn’t get the win to put the icing on the cake.
But that’s life, and it’s very tough at times – as we keep finding out – and Newcastle found Manchester City in very good form yesterday, and we couldn’t be the attacking force yesterday we wanted to be, because City had done their homework on Newcastle.
I’m not a big fan of how Manchester City have built their team – spending huge money on their players in the last four years – but they played very well yesterday – to their credit.
And it was an enthralling game for 70 minutes before Yaya Toure gave them that very vital first goal.
Tim Krul thought we were really unlucky yesterday:
“We are disappointed about today because we had a few opportunities, but it just didn’t go our way,”
“We stayed with them for 70 minutes, put them under a bit of pressure in that time and created a few chances as well. It’s just a shame we couldn’t get the goal, but they’ve got a fantastic defense.”
“Going forward they just had a little bit of quality and luck on their side – it was a great finish from Yaya Toure for the first goal.” “Luck didn’t go our way today but we just keep looking at the positive side.”
“We’ve had a tremendous season, as shown by the fans all staying in their seats after the game to give us their respect, and it gave us the chance to thank them too for their fantastic support.”
Tim’s right that Newcastle didn’t have the luck that could have turned the game in our favor late in that second half, but the lads gave it all they had, and we are not complaining.
It was a good day for Newcastle United yesterday, that we were able to hold such a good (and expensive) side for so long – but we also know we still have some weaknesses that we must fix in the summer transfer window.
Alan Pardew will have seen how Newcastle fans hold their heroes in awe, by yesterday’s ceremony, if he didn’t already know that.
Alan will know if he can keep improving the side, he could become the most successful Newcastle manager since Sir Bobby, and even though he’s a Londoner he seems to know exactly what makes Newcastle tick.
And maybe he’s destined to win Newcastle a trophy for the first time since 1969 – which would keep his name in the annals of Newcastle United forever.
We were really disappointed by yesterday’s result – and those last 20 minutes in particular – but we look forward with excitement to what Newcastle United can now become in the next season or two.
The Newcastle comeback from relegation in May of 2009, is alive and well and epitomized by the statue of the great one – Bobby Robson.
Long may it continue.
6 comments so far
ROSHAN MAGPIE
May 7, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Comment #1sad to see such a great nufc season coming to an end hope next season will be even better and hope we win a trophy or two
Dirk Diggler SMB
May 7, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Comment #2Hopefully if fifa uphold these fianancial fair play rules,this should close the gap between rich owned clubs and well run clubs.
Graeme
May 7, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Comment #3Its a great tribute to Sir Bobby and is well situated. I was talking to some of the NUFC staff yesterday and they were all delighted with the statue and the ceremony.
They were even more impressed with the way the statue was paid for by the owner, directly from his own pocket, it cost the club nothing at all. All credit to MA if so.
Lee Dodd
May 7, 2012 at 9:34 AM
Comment #4Yes It Could Not Stand In a Better Position For Everyone Home and Away Fans to See …. Never Forgotten God Bless !!!!
Lynxie
May 7, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #5Graeme @ 3:
Is that true? If MA did finance the statue of SBR, all credit to him, he has gone up hugely in my estimation.
Well done to the lads not only for putting in a great shift yesterday, but for a magnificent season. Everyone should take a well deserved pat on the back, and credit to the lads who came back from the dead to show us what they can really do. Step forward Ryan Taylor, James Perch. Most improved players this season by a country mile, well done lads.
Graeme
May 7, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Comment #6Lynxie, I was talking to some of the staff near the statue and a security manager and a Membership Manager up in the Platinum Club before the game and they all said the same thing.
The idea to go ahead with the statue was MA’s idea and he paid for it himself with no cost to the club at any point.
As you say, if true, he deserves immense credit for it. It certainly is an impressive memorial to a great man.