The late Sir Bobby Robson would have
been 80 today. It feels like only yesterday when I received the news of his
passing, after a long battle with cancer, in July 2009 when I was in Malaysia.
Despite him having admitted that he would lose the battle sooner rather than
later, the news came as a massive shock to me. I’m glad that, almost four years
later, his legacy lives on in those whom he had influenced and is still fondly
remembered by many in the footballing world. On a personal note, he played a
major role in my decision to support Newcastle United and the way he conducted
himself during his illustrious career serves as an inspiration to me. I hope
that even as football, to many fans, appears to be becoming more associated with
money and glamour, men like Sir Bobby will continue to be remembered for what football
should really be about.
An entry I wrote on Facebook shortly
after his passing:
‘Although he recently admitted that he was losing his battle with cancer,
this piece of news still comes as a tremendous shock to me. As I write in the
comfort of my cousin's hostel in Kampar, I realise that it was in Malaysia
where I was in the closest proximity to him (not as close as I'd like though).
When he went up to receive the FA Premier League Asia Cup Runners-up trophy,
one could feel a certain inexplicable aura that he emanated as he walked up the
stairs. There he was, a man of undeniable football genius and a sterling
character which had served him well throughout an illustrious career in
football. I felt I was in the presence of a footballing "God".
I don't think any manager can boast of having won major titles in Portugal, Holland, England and Spain, all leading European footballing nations. This was a man who brought Ipswich Town the UEFA Cup with all but 4 players having been from the club's youth academy. A man who nearly brought England to the World Cup final and lifted a Newcastle in shambles to the dizzy heights of 3rd place. More important, this legend never failed to conduct himself with great humility and an extraordinary calm regardless of the circumstances. Being a Newcastle fan, I can safely say that he's by far my favourite manager and I sorely miss the times when he was at the St. James Park dugout. After his sacking and the ignomonious treatment he received from the board and certain sections of the fans, Newcastle never got near the 5th place we finished in in his last full season there. Retribution perhaps? I mean, you can't just dismiss a man of his stature just because of a poor start to the season. Till his death, I've no doubt that he was the most respected living English manager and I believe that so many in the industry can learn from his example. I'm sure Mourinho, who was his translator during his managerial stint in Portugal, would agree with me.
I'm glad to know that just last weekend, a tribute match had been played for him with proceeds going to his Cancer Foundation. In retrospect, the timing could not have been any more apposite as there were 33,000 screaming supporters there to send this footballing great off.
So what if you're the most skilful player in the world? So what if your transfer involved a world record fee? You'll only be remembered as a great player, not as a great human being. We all, football fan or not, can take a leaf out of this man's book. After Robert McNamara died, Jordan remarked that we live in a time when great men die. I guess we should be more worried if we are in one when none lived.’
I don't think any manager can boast of having won major titles in Portugal, Holland, England and Spain, all leading European footballing nations. This was a man who brought Ipswich Town the UEFA Cup with all but 4 players having been from the club's youth academy. A man who nearly brought England to the World Cup final and lifted a Newcastle in shambles to the dizzy heights of 3rd place. More important, this legend never failed to conduct himself with great humility and an extraordinary calm regardless of the circumstances. Being a Newcastle fan, I can safely say that he's by far my favourite manager and I sorely miss the times when he was at the St. James Park dugout. After his sacking and the ignomonious treatment he received from the board and certain sections of the fans, Newcastle never got near the 5th place we finished in in his last full season there. Retribution perhaps? I mean, you can't just dismiss a man of his stature just because of a poor start to the season. Till his death, I've no doubt that he was the most respected living English manager and I believe that so many in the industry can learn from his example. I'm sure Mourinho, who was his translator during his managerial stint in Portugal, would agree with me.
I'm glad to know that just last weekend, a tribute match had been played for him with proceeds going to his Cancer Foundation. In retrospect, the timing could not have been any more apposite as there were 33,000 screaming supporters there to send this footballing great off.
So what if you're the most skilful player in the world? So what if your transfer involved a world record fee? You'll only be remembered as a great player, not as a great human being. We all, football fan or not, can take a leaf out of this man's book. After Robert McNamara died, Jordan remarked that we live in a time when great men die. I guess we should be more worried if we are in one when none lived.’
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