Sir Bobby Robson rising to his final task

In February 2007, Sir Bobby Robson was informed by his doctor that he had months to live. Cancer had struck again, in his lungs, and this time it was inoperable. His wife had not been well enough to accompany him to Newcastle General Hospital that day, so Sir Bobby went home and delivered the devastating news. “Be strong, be upright,” Elsie said. “Let’s enjoy what we have.” Good sense, as always.

As of Tuesday, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation had raised £733,366.77 for NHS cancer projects. Over the summer, a cheque for £500,000 was presented to Dr Ruth Plummer, Robson’s oncologist, to equip the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The foundation is pushing to raise £1 million by Christmas.

This has been the last great challenge of Robson’s life. Illness and disability have struck this imposing, bear of a man, but his eagerness to work, to contribute, to thrust himself into a project remains undimmed. He has not slipped into the background, but driven himself on, determined to give something back to a region “where football burrowed deeper into my body than any disease ever could".

Sir Bobby somehow straddles the generations. He was born six years before the outbreak of the Second World War and his first job was as an apprentice electrician in the claustrophobic gloom of Langley Park Colliery. He rose to become manager of England and Barcelona and as recently as 2004 (although it feels like an eon ago), he was at Newcastle United. He has done it all with good humour, passion and dignity.

On his charity’s website, where donations can be made and comments left, you get a sense of the impact he has made and the chord he has struck with people. On October 12, Ann and Paul Robinson pledged £100 “In memory of our precious son, Chris, forever with us”. Four days earlier, Mike Russell donated £30: “You’re a legend and true gentleman and given me so many happy times … God bless.” 

Last month, Nicola Barton raised more than £50: “In memory of my dad, treated at Newcastle for cancer, but it was too late. A worthy cause and two very worthy men – Sir Bobby and my dad.” From Robert Marshall, there was £20. “We all love you Sir Bobby,” he wrote. “My life has been happier because of you.” Words such as respect, ambassador and inspiration are used repeatedly. 

Sir Bobby has a new book out this week entitled Newcastle: My Kind of Toon (an admission: I helped him put it together), a celebration of the city and its club. Given the turmoil at St James’ Park, its publication feels timely. What is football, what is a club, he asks? “Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

“It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.” Sometimes, all too rarely, it’s about men like Sir Bobby Robson.

Donations to Sir Bobby’s charity can be made here.

2. When Stewart Downing was jeered during England’s impoverished first-half performance against Andorra last month, it felt like an affront. An insult to a decent Teesside kid, who has strived for everything he has, who has a passion for Middlesbrough and for self-improvement, who may have struggled to reach his best form, but who remains eager represent his country. It was turning on one of our own.
When Ashley Cole was jeered during England’s second-half performance against Kazakhstan at the weekend, it felt like a resounding victory for freedom of speech. Funny that.

3. Speaking of international football, Kris Boyd is so consumed by not playing for Scotland that he decides not to play for Scotland. Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, is so consumed by playing for England that he’s “thinking about it too much and going out on the pitch trying too hard and haven’t always delivered. Of late, I am putting too much pressure on myself". This is a winning concept for a new television reality show – When Good Footballers Think Bad.

Comments

[Dan Hadfield]

Raise high the roof beam, carpenters, for there walks Bobby Robson, taller far than a tall man.

In a time when football is, for a large part, celebrity, gloss and lacking in substance, let Bobby be a reminder that there are better ways to carry yourself.

God Bless Him.

[Sam Hodgkiss]

The world of football will sadly miss one of its great ambassadors and a true football man

[Patrick]

Good on Sir Bobby , manager of the best England team never to win a world cup , Italy 1990.

[Daniel Atkins]

I went to Wembley for the Charity Sheild in 1987 with my Dad and Grandad.

We were sat on a low wall outside the ground, having lunch a few hours before kick off.....who should walk past, but Sir Bobby, England manager at the time......he stopped, looked at the three of us and asked me "are you having a good day lad?"

Will there ever be another man, in such a huge role as England manager, involved in this magnificent game that has sold it's soul, who would do such a simple but beautiful thing?

Sir Bobby, legend.

[t]

Please tell Bobby we all love him!

[Carl]

This man is an example to us all....God bless you Sir Bobby.