Sir Bobby - a footballing institution

THERE are some things which derail your train of thought and leave you stunned.

It happened to me a few weeks ago before Albion's pre-season friendly at Ipswich when a press colleague, and close friend of Sir Bobby Robson's, mentioned how unwell the ex-England boss had become.

It knocked me for six, not least because Sir Bobby remains one of the great servants of English football but also because, for people of my age, he was the man who led England oh so close to winning the World Cup. And, to be quite honest, I didn't realise just how unwell he really was.

You see, if like me, you're in your 30s then the chances are that Italia 90 will be the most memorable and iconic World Cup you'll have ever seen. England's performances during that World Cup helped to establish a Year Zero for football following years of hooliganism and stadium tragedies. England's success, orchestrated by Sir Bobby and helped on by Gazza's tears, went against the general Thatcherite view that football was a declining sport, played by thugs and watched by neanderthals. After Italia 90 football started with a clean slate.

I've had the privilege of interviewing Sir Bobby twice. Once over the phone, before Albion's Premier League clash against Newcastle during 2002/03 and then, face to face, at last year's BBC Sports Review of the Year when he was given an emotional standing ovation after being recognised for his services to football.

Both times he was a gentleman.

In the press area afterwards it was clear to see how endearing and warm he is. While some of his fellow awards' winners shunned the media or kept them waiting, Sir Bobby came out and spoke to the written, radio and TV press. The fact that he was so obviously poorly and weak wasn't an issue. The fact that we were representing an industry which, at times, treated him so disgracefully during his England reign, was not a problem.

He spoke for about half an hour and probably would have done so for longer had he not been in demand elsewhere. Sir Bobby was witty, thoughtful and spoke with intelligence.

Among the questions included one about his time with Albion as a player during the late 1950s.
"One of the happiest times of my life," came the reply. That's some statement to make for a man who led Ipswich to the FA Cup, almost won the World Cup with England, managed his beloved Newcastle and won trophies galore with some of the biggest clubs in Holland, Spain and Portugal.

I've never met a person who has a bad word to say about Sir Bobby.
And just to underline how well-thought of Sir Bobby is by the footballing fraternity, I've attached two tales below from Albion fans.

The first is from Terry Wills, who has supported Albion for 68 years, the second taken from a football message board.

Terry revealed that years ago he persuaded the then young Baggies wing-half to manage his Sunday League side, Albion Nomads.
Robson steered the team of West Brom supporters to cup success in just 12 games in charge.
Terry said: "In the match day Newcastle Programme he asked the question if anyone could name the first team he managed?
"No it wasn't Fulham, Ipswich, Barcelona, Newcastle or PSV Eindhoven it was Albion Nomads!.
"He finished his programme notes by thanking me for giving him his first coaching job in football!
"Subsequently we met up again when Albion played United at the Hawthorns. We enjoyed swapping reminiscences, i showed him my Cup winning Medal, and now have a 'lovely' souvenir photograph with him wearing a traditional smile, and me reciprocating wearing my Baggies Shirt.
"A few days later i received a personal letter from Sir Bobby enclosing the medal, inadvertently left with him, stating, quote 'it was great to see you again after all these years. The atmosphere at the match was terrific-what wonderful supporters. The club as it stands is a Premiership Club and deserves to be back there.'"

The second tale was posted on fans' forum, www.wbaunofficial.com, who have kindly given me permission to reproduce the message, left by a young fan (known as 'mind_the_gap_please)
The poster said: "I was fortunate enough to meet Sir Bobby and interview him a couple of years ago, and he was a footballing man through and through.
"When other, less well-known managers and footballing persons spurned my questions and gave the excuses of being too busy, Sir Bobby invited me into his office and told all these so called busy managers to wait for him, he was just happy to speak to someone else who shared his love for the game.
"That day inspired the one ever lasting memory I'll have of Sir Bobby; McClaren was just about to be appointed and I asked him 'of the record Mr Robson, sorry Bobby... who do you want to see appointed as England boss?' to which he gave the token smile and replied 'Ah young man, The Sun are giving me 50-grand to tell them that tomorrow... what chance have you got of getting it out of me for free?' and with that he chuckled and walked away."

This is why Sir Bobby Robson has become an institution in English football.