SIR BOBBY REMEMBERED

Thursday, 29/07/2010

Tomorrow it is a year to the day since Sir Bobby Robson died. The legend and memories live on.

How fitting that exactly 12 months after his sad death to that vicious disease cancer – which he had already beaten on a number of occasions – that two of his teams should meet.

His beloved Newcastle, the last team Bobby was to manage, host PSV Eindhoven, the side he was in charge of before his move to St. James’ Park.

Fittingly, one of the charities that will benefit from this friendly game on July 31 is the Bobby Robson Foundation. Like the man himself, it’s popular and a success.

More cash than was ever dreamed possible has been raised for the Foundation for their work in fighting cancer. It’s a fitting tribute to a great man.

No one in football who ever met him will forget the aura that surrounded him. He was special. Bobby instantly made you feel welcome and left a lasting impression.

I am so lucky to count myself among those many people whose paths crossed that of the former England manager. I loved chatting to him as he always had something sensible to say – and always managed to raise a smile too.

His habit of getting people’s names wrong is legend but I am still convinced that sometimes he did it deliberately to raise a laugh.

Shola Ameobi became Carl Cort, Kieran Dyer told me how he was just referred to as “son”. He even referred to former England skipper Bryan Robson as Bobby. (He called me 'the lad from Shoot'!)

Bobby – he once told me not to call him Sir! – was a giant of a man who still worked out at training, even in his 70s.

The fans still sing “There’s only one Bobby Robson” at Newcastle games, home and away. I still get a tear in my eye when I hear that.

Bobby, the world of football misses you!

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