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Team-mate tribute to Sir Bobby
Friday 31st July 2009, 11:29AM BST.
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Former Albion captain Graham Williams has hailed Sir Bobby Robson as a “professor of football” as the Baggies digested news of his death.
FA Cup-winning skipper Williams paid an emotional tribute to his friend, who lost his battle with cancer today at the age of 76.
He played alongside Sir Bobby at the Hawthorns in the 1960s.
The 71-year-old said: “Bobby was a wonderful man. He was very honest, he was very sincere and he never missed a chance to help somebody.
“He was a great man, a great player and an exceptional manager. I roomed with Bobby back at Albion and he was brilliant. He was a major part of my education in football.
“Just being in the same room as Bobby was an amazing experience for someone like me, who was a young lad making his way in the game.
“Bobby was a senior professional, having signed from Fulham, and he was like a professor to me.
“He taught me so much about how to play football, and about how to conduct yourself as a footballer off the field.”
Sir Bobby, a free-scoring inside forward, cost Albion a then club record of £25,000 when he signed from Fulham in 1956.
He spent six years at The Hawthorns, making 257 appearances and scoring 61 goals, and remains a popular figure with Albion supporters who saw him play.
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace led the tributes at the Hawthorns, where the flag is to be at half-mast today to mark his passing.
He said: “Everyone at West Bromwich Albion is deeply saddened to hear of Sir Bobby’s Robson’s passing.
“He was a terrific servant for this football club, which always remained dear to his heart. He was a true gentleman in every sense and our sincere condolences go to his family.”
Sir Bobby’s spell at Albion also marked the start of his friendship with team-mate Don Howe, who later served as his assistant during his spell as England manager.
Howe today joined the tributes to his friend.
He said: “I think we all knew this news was coming but that doesn’t make it any less sad. I am still shocked today.
“I got to know him at West Brom in the 1950s. We always got on, probably because we liked to play football in the same way.”
“When he went to Ipswich as manager he heard all the stories about Sir Alf Ramsey and his achievements with England, so the national job was something Bobby knew he wanted to do as well.
“He eventually got the job, and he made a huge success of it.”
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I remember him at the Albion as a great player in a very good footballimg team. It broke a lot of hearts when the short sighted board would not pay him a decent wage and he ended up back at Fulham. p s.,why are you showing Johnny Kaye as your photo ?
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As has been said elewhere… a real football man – honest, hardworking with a true love for the game.
There are too few left like him and he will be sadly missed by everyone who loves football.
It would be fantastic if the club remembered him at our first game.
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What an absolute legend! Devastating news for the football world. R.I.P Sir Bobby Robson!! :-(
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RIP SIR BOBBY
VERY SAD NEWS, THE FOOTBALL WORLD HAS LOST A GREAT GREAT FIGURE! HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A QUALITY FOOTBALLER, GREAT MANAGER AND A GENTLEMAN
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sad loss.
they don’t make ‘em like him nowadays.
R.I.P. Bobby
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Sir bobby robson – sir alex ferguson,need i say more.boing boing
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Isn’t it fitting that the first game of the season is against the team Sir Bobby loved so much R.I.P Sir Bobby.
P.s I don’t know about a minute silence it should be more like ten minutes.
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Another Hero has gone.
So long Sir Bobby
A top top bloke.
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1. Yes I agree with you. And its WBA vs Newcastle, for whom he played for and who he supported as a child. I think both clubs should pay tribute to this great man in next weeks showdown at the Hawthorns! it shoulld be very emotional, and hopefully West Brom get the first 3 points of the season.
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With all club differences apart, this man was England Football to me..
I was not around for the ’66′ team but was from 82 world cup.
I know he had his doubters during his reign( and for giving Bully a chance and hope ot other lower league players )but i just loved the way he handle himself and as a club manager…
A passing of a TRUE LEGEND and up there with Sir Alf / B.Clough /J.Stein….
RIP Sir Bobby been an honour watching your football
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A apsolute legend, a true footballing icon.
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Don’t think it is J.Kaye,I think you will find it is G Williams.RIP Sir Bobby.
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Lets join forces with our Geordie friends next Saturday in celebration of the true English gentleman. God Bless Sir Bobby Robson.
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RIP Sir Bobby.
Lets hope we can mark Bobby’s passing in fitting style and tribute next week
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RIP Bobby a true gentleman i once had the pleasure of meeting him no airs and graces could talk football all day, he told me Ronnie Allen struck the ball the best he had ever seen, god i wished i could have seen that 50′s baggies side play.
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RIP, a true football great in every sense of the word, there will never be another sir bobby robson
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12 santa the pic looked very much like j kaye to me they have changed it now.
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am i going soft (dont answer that)or is there a pic of j kaye and one g williams,aye boing boing 1968
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The Hawthorns will be as one next Saturday. How completely appropriate it’s Newcastle and it’s live on National Television.
Sir Bobby as Ipswich and England manager was an inspiration to me as a youngster and he was a true statesman of the game. As an Albion fan I appreciate he is part of a history before my time, a club captain and a great player.
Thanks for your service to football – it’s people like you that have made it the beautiful game we love. Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.
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A true “great” and will be sorely missed. Looking forward to the Albion v Newcastle game now and a chance for both sets of supporters to show their respect. Will surely be one of the quietest minutes silences ever witnessed at the Hawthorns!
Sadly Sir Bobby was the last of his kind.
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RIP-Sir Bobby Robson,a legend and a true gentleman.The world won’t be the same without you in it.
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This is devestating news, football has lost a real legend. He was a born winner and made a sucess of any job he took on.
I have no doubt whatsoever, that if he had remained in charge of England, we would have won the World Cup.
The loss to world football is incalculable.
A true footballing giant and a marvellous human being.
RIP Sir Bobby.
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This is devestating news. The word legend was invented for people like Sir Bobby. A giant of the game and a winner wherever he went.
If he had stayed in charge of England for longer, we would have won the World Cup, I have no doubt about that whatsoever.
The loss to world football is incalculable.
A true football colloseus and a marvellous human being.
R.I.P. Sir Bobby.
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The mark of a TRUE legend, just watching our exit in Italia 90 and thinking if only…then the way he picked up all those broken hearted players and accepted defeat graciosly.. what a great man and a gentleman ,,God rest you Sir Bobby…
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R.I.P. sir bobby robson , fantastic player, manager, and gentleman, sad day for everyone,,
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A true star in Stripes
REST IN PEACE SIR BOBBY
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