Barclays Premier League - Sir Bobby Robson dies

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Barclays Premier League - Sir Bobby Robson dies
Eurosport - Fri, 31 Jul 11:00:00 2009

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who has fought a long-running battle against cancer, has died at the age of 76.

Robson had contracted the disease for the fifth time.

Robson, who was 76, had been battling various forms of cancer for several years and was diagnosed with inoperable tumours in both lungs last year.

He played for Fulham and West Brom during the 1950s and 1960s, and later went on to manage Fulham, Ipswich, PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and the club he supported as a boy, Newcastle United.

After ending a playing career that earned him 20 England caps, Robson moved into management and won the UEFA Cup in 1981while in charge of Ipswich Town. A year later he became England manager.

After leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 he returned to club management, including spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Porto and his Newcastle.

On Sunday, a wheelchair-bound Robson was at St James' Park for a charity match in his honour which attracted a crowd of more than 30,000 fans.

Paul Gascoigne, who played under Robson for England, paid tribute to his former mentor following that match, saying: "Sir Bobby is a legend over the world. He was the one who gave me my first run-out for the England team.

"When I saw him it was quite heartbreaking to see him that way but he is battling away and keeping on top of it, which is great. He's battling cancer for the fifth time. It takes a man to beat it once but he's doing it for a fifth time. That's the man he is, he won't give in."

Reuters

Saftlad · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

Not only a great manager but a gentleman as well. My thoughts go out to his family, RIP Sir Bobby.