It’s six years today that we lost our former manager Sir Bobby Robson to cancer, only days after a match between an England eleven and a German eleven to commemorate the semifinal of the World Cup in 1990, when we went out on penalties to Germany after extra time ended 1-1.
Sir Bobby Robson was 76 when he died.
Sir Bobby Robson – Newcastle United manager
Bobby Robson was one of the best managers England ever produced, and he had a sparkling club career managing Ipswich Town, PSV (twice), Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, and finally his home town club Newcastle United.
He was also an England International in his playing days, and played primarily for Fulham and West Brom as a midfielder and he also played 20 times for England with 4 goals.
While at Newcastle he saved us in his first year in charge (1999-2000) from relegation, but then had an injury-hit second season when Alan Shearer was out for most of that season.
In his last three seasons as the Newcastle manager, he had us in 4th, 3rd and 5th place in the Premier League.
But after a so-so start to the 2004-2005 campaign he was sacked by Chairman Freddy Shepherd because we did not have Champions league football.
When you think what has happened at Newcastle since Bobby left, that’s really ironic.
His record at Newcastle was managed 255 games, won 119, drew 64 and lost 72 for a win ratio of 46.7%.
As England manager he was heavily criticized by the English press (what’s new?) but made the quarter finals in the 1986 World Cup until the hand of God beat us with that dodgy goal from Diego Maradona.
And then four years later we reached the semi-final against West Germany for only the second time ever, after Sir Alf Ramsey had won it back in 1966 – when we hammered Germany 4-2 after extra time – a game I watched with my dad on TV.
Sir Bobby Robson continues to be respected around the world as being a gentleman of the game, and he is fondly remembered at Newcastle as one of our own.
Some of his quotes are classic, with one of them after our 8-0 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday in his home debut as Newcastle manager he said this.
“Well, we got nine and you can’t score more than that.”
And after Alan Shearer had been injured and returned the following season – Bobby had this to say about the Newcastle striker:
“Alan Shearer has done very well for us, considering his age. We have introduced some movement into his game because he has got two good legs now. Last season he played with one leg.”
And when Brazil were dominant in the world game:
¨One day, someone will end a football game scoring more than Brazil. This might be the time they lose.”
We remember the man all the time, and he continues to be an inspiration to many football fans throughout the world.
We remember Sir Bobby Robson today.
131 comments so far
mickalfas
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Comment #1Rip,Sir Bobby
Legend
THE true geordie
Big Steve
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Comment #2Legend. Enough said.
SuperShearer
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:07 AM
Comment #3RIP Sir Bobby – you were, and always will be, the epitome of what a football club and manager should always aspire to. Thanks for all the memories.
why oh why
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #4RIP sir Bobby
You are and will always be a legend
St James park misses you
He will always be with us at our home
corkypants
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Comment #5RIP Bobby a true gentleman
Slank
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Comment #6In remembrance of a great man, some of his quotes:
“When Gazza was dribbling, he used to go through a minefield with his arm, a bit like you go through a supermarket.”
“Manchester United dropped points, Liverpool dropped points, Chelsea dropped points, Everton dropped points, so in a way we haven’t lost anything at all really, although we dropped all three.”
“I’m not going to look beyond the semi-final – but I would love to lead Newcastle out at the final.”
“He never fails to hit the target. But that was a miss.”
“Eighteen months ago Sweden were arguably one of the best three teams in Europe, and that would include Germany, Holland, Russia and anybody else if you like.”
“We can’t replace Gary Speed. Where do you get an experienced player like him with a left foot and a head?”
“Gary Speed has never played better, never looked fitter, never been older.”
“Alan Shearer has done very well for us, considering his age. We have introduced some movement into his game because he has got two good legs now. Last season he played with one leg.”
“People want success. It’s like coffee, they want instant.”
“Well, we got nine and you can’t score more than that.”
“Some of the goals were good, some of the goals were sceptical.”
“He’s the only man I know who could start an argument with himself” (On Craig Bellamy)
“One day, someone will end a football game scoring more than Brazil. This might be the time that they lose.”
“Denis Law once kicked me at Wembley in front of the Queen in an international. I mean, no man is entitled to do that, really.”
“Home advantage gives you an advantage.”
“Look at those olive trees! They’re 200 years old – from before the time of Christ.”
“In the first half he took a corner, a poor corner, which hit the first defender, and it took him 17 minutes to get back to the halfway line.” (on former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert)
“With Maradona, even Arsenal would have won the World Cup.” (in 1986)
“They’re two points behind us, so we’re neck and neck.”
“We didn’t underestimate them. They were a lot better than we thought.” THIS IS MY FAVOURITE
“Hitler didn’t tell us when he was going to send over those doodlebugs, did he?” (On why he refused to name his England team before a World Cup qualifer against Sweden in 1989).
“I do want to play the short ball and I do want to play the long ball. I think long and short balls is what football is all about.”
“What can I say about Peter Shilton? Peter Shilton is Peter Shilton, and he has been Peter Shilton since the year dot.”
On convincing players to sign for Newcastle
“If we invite any player up to the Quayside to see the girls and then up to our magnificent stadium, we will be able to persuade any player to sign.”
CHARNLEY PLEASE NOTE
nut meg
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #7R.I.P. Sir Bob.
mickalfas
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Comment #8Slank
Thanks for that,great memories !
martoon
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Comment #9RIP Sir Bobby.
However I don’t forget how some of the fans, on forums similar to this one, were starting to turn against him which contributed to his sacking!
sweendog
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #10Bobby the legend, always remember when he took over the Toon I was over the moon. Didn’t let us down.
Jack
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Comment #11R.I.P you absolute legend.
Jib
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #12some games shifted for TV
nufconceandfuturekings
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #13The greatest.
Thank you for everything, beloved Sir Bobby.
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #14Various comments about SBR and passion.
The passion exists within the fans and the City – but needs to be released from recent constraints and frustrations ( Ashley, Pardew, Carver etc )
One of the challenges is that the modern game is “packaged” and “franchised” based on the American model of attending sporting events and for the benefit of Sky and as Disney style family themes creep into the arena of sport.
It’s evolved to become somewhat sterile as mascots, half time ” Its a knockout” type games and restrictions on “singing areas” ( the fact that we talk of designated “areas” for singing says much as to how everything is packaged ) become the norm. God forbid that chanting fans would interrupt the Corporate fans being able to talk about the weather.
Maybe we need to crank up the volume and turn SJP back into the fortress of old.
More night time games under floodlights would be good.
Stand up (except the stewards will tell you to sit down ) and be counted.
“Free the Newcastle 52,000? should be the motto.
SBR would understand.
snowdone
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Comment #15Some years ago I was at the Keepmoat to watch the lads play Doncaster in a friendly pre-season game. The tannoy announced the presence of Sir Bobby and his wife. As one the stadium stood and gave the most heartwarming ovation to the great man. Tears in my eyes as I write this.
Now he was and is a legend!
Slank
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Comment #16martoon @ 9
Shows how fickle, shallow and bloody ungrateful some ‘Newcastle Fans’ were and still are. They would probably have booed Pele.
Spotlight Kid
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Comment #17Sir Bobby Robson, internationally respected giant of European football management – sacked 11 years ago by NUFC (internationally derided giant of being being permanently unsuccessful) and replaced by Souness.
The club treated Bobby abominably, but still pretends it didn’t (and to this day trades on his image and reputation). He should have been made lifetime director of football when HE decided to step down, not when Fat FS thought he knew best. A sickening and shameful episode.
toonfan76
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #18R.I.P Sir Bobby Robson. One of my favourite things when Sir Bobby was here was an interview with Shola, he was asked if the Gaffer had a nickname for him at the training ground and he came out with, “Aye, Carl Cort.” Classic. Sorely missed.
nut meg
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #19Slank @ 6
My favorite was when he was asked by a journalist if he wasn’t a footballer what would he have liked to have been. His reply was that he would have given his right arm to have been a concert pianist. love it
Slank
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Comment #20Spotlight Kid @ 17
Totally agree. Disgusting treatment of a great man by the previous Geordie owners.
ToonFromLeeds
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Comment #21Three Newcastle United games, including the Wear-Tyne derby, have been moved for live TV broadcast.
The kick-off of Newcastle’s game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on October 25 was been brought forward to noon so it can be shown by Sky Sports.
And the home game against Norwich City will be played on Ocotber 18 with a 4pm kick-off, also for broadcast by Sky.
And United’s away game against Bournemouth on November 7 will kick off at 12.45pm so it can be screened by BT Sport.
Slank
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #22nut meg @ 19
I would have loved to have been a ‘fly on the wall’ during any conversation, if it ever happened, between Sir Bobby and Tommy Cooper.
why oh why
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #23Ivan toney
Quality young lad
Will be a top player
Macas
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #24martoon – So fans aren’t allowed to criticize a manager because he’s a nice guy?
davetoon
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #25Hero
Average_Contents
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #26RIP Sir Bobby.
Gone but never forgotten.
Legend in the true sense of the word.
ToonFromLeeds
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Comment #27Austin to be bid for next
http://whatculture.com/sport/newcastle-turn-attention-to-new-target-with-ivan-toney-signing-close.php
ToonFromLeeds
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #28RIP Sir Bobby Robson
Best Newcastle manager of my time
Graeme
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #29An absolute gentlemann, in every sense of the word.
davetoon
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Comment #30My fave line of SBRs was the one where he was talking about the team on paper vs performance and he said the team doesn’t play on paper, it plays on grass! 🙂
hibbit
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Comment #31the one and only SIR BOBBY ROBSON absolute gent
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #32I wrote this at the time of his passing.
To the tune of Bobby Shafto.
” Bobby Robson Legend he,
Son of Durham, Wor Geordie,
Football man, of dignity
Bonny Bobby Robson”
Over to the fans to sing at the start of the first home game ?
Slank
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Comment #33What I find interesting is the many similarities between Sir Bobby and Steve McClaren.
Both were England managers and both hounded out of the job by the media.
Both brought success to two small clubs Ipswich and Boro.
Both achieved success in Europe as Englishmen something that rarely happens.
Both declined to break their contracts with their current teams when approached by Newcastle.
Hopefully McClaren can bring some of Bobby’s dignity and passion to the club. A few quotes wouldn’t go amiss too.
JamesToon
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #34RIP Sir Bobby Robson, a gentlemen and a legend
stripes1009
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #35Great tribute Slank
Laurent Robert 32
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #36Brilliant man, and true legend of football. Thank you, Bobby.
loonie-toon
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Comment #37Rip sir bobby great loss to everyone
check the toastie
Jul 31, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #38I feel Mcclaren has conducted himself superbly since being appointed, a total breath of fresh air. This club and fans have been through dark days over the last 8 years and can just about see light at the end of the tunnel with Stevey Mac and Cathro.
Everyone needs to get behind the team 100% this season irrelevent of results.
Jib
Jul 31, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #39Good Tribute this
hibbit
Jul 31, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Comment #40check the only problem with that is we are a football club and we are judged on results