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Bully’s heartfelt tribute to Sir Bobby
Friday 31st July 2009, 11:30AM BST.
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Wolves legend Steve Bull has paid a heartfelt tribute to Sir Bobby Robson following the death of the man who made him a World Cup footballer.
The former England manager died today following his lengthy battle against cancer, to bring a day of mourning to the game in this country and far beyond.
His passing is felt deeply by Bull, the Wolves striker whom Robson backed to select him for 1990 World Cup finals, even though the prolific striker was playing outside top-flight football.
Bully said: “I think everyone knew this news was coming, but it doesn’t make it any less sad.
“He was a brilliant man and someone I will always be grateful to for giving me that amazing experience at Italia ‘90.
“I don’t think Sir Bobby would have claimed to be the greatest tactician of them all, but he was a superb man manager.
“All the way through the build up to that tournament, when I was scoring the goals that got me into the squad, he would just come up to me, put an army around my shoulder and say: ‘Just keep doing what you do for Wolves, son.’ It was as simple as that.
“But he saw something in me which made him want to take me to Italy, even though there were strong claims from players in the top flight, such as Alan Smith at the time.
“I still think that team which reached the semi-finals was the best England side of my lifetime.
“We came so close – one of the best teams not to win the World Cup. The boys were that good and Bobby was at the heart of it.”
Bull last spoke to his former England manager at an awards dinner several years ago, when he was given a reminder of Sir Bobby’s popularity especially in his native Newcastle.
He said: “I had met ‘Ant and Dec’ for a TV show the previous week. When they knew that Sir Bobby was going to be at this dinner I was attending, they were desperate for me to get his autograph.
“We had a lovely chat but it was the last time I spoke to him face to face.
“I could have cried when I saw him on TV at the weekend.”
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Always like Robson …for what he did for Bully, for England and for the game in general. I remember him for the comments he made after we beat his Newcastle team 3-2 in the cup …..Wolves wanted it more than us and they were better than us ……….a true legend !! RIP Bobby Robson
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Best manager England ever had during my lifetime, and he was English.
A terrible loss, thanks for the memories Bobby.
RIP
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RIP Sir Bobby…a true gentleman of the game, the like of which we will never see in football again, a game ruined by greed.
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A true gentelman who will be missed by all those who love football.
May you rest in peace Bobby, we will miss you!
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thanks for all the italia 90 memories, and all you contributed to english football. You will be fondly remembered. This is truly a sad day for all football fans.
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What a gentleman? will be truly missed by all.
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RIP Sir Bobby.
Such a shame his beloved NUFC are such a shambles at the time of his sad passing. How the geordies much wish he was at the helm now.
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What a sad day. You will be missed Sir Bobby. You were a gent, good man and master of the game. My thoughts are with your family and close friends. Rest in peace now.
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I remember when Wolves beat Newcastle 3-2 in the FA cup, in the post match interview after the game, Sir Bobby said that Wolves were the better team and played brilliant on the night, and we deserved our win.The pain of defeat was etched on his face, but the things he said about our team, you knew he meant what he said, and was talking from the heart.
When i heard the news this morning i was gutted,this really is a terrible news not just for football, but the world is by far a less better place with his passing…..
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I met Bully on Sunday and were talking about the 1990 World Cup. He stated Sir Bobby was the best manager he had worked with and had nothing but praise for him. RIP Sir Bobby. You were a great person, great manager and one of the true gentlemen of football. Will be very sadly missed. :-(
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A legend, a gentelman, a true football fanatic, these qualities dont come around that often in people. Our hero was a better player for playing Italia 90, thankyou RIP
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A very sad day indeed, although not expected. He always struck me as a very gracious and decent man, characteristics so sadly missing today in all walks of life- not just football!
RIP and God bless. My sincere condolences to his family- you can be proud!!!
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R.I.P
TRUE LEGEND OF FOOTBALL !!!
and such a nice man
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In the days of inside forwards and wing halfs, he was up there with the best. As England manager there weren’t many better and he was so unlucky not to win Italia ’90.
Everybody loved Sir Bobby and it’s testament to his popularity that he had this (probably unique) ability to unite all football fans even in these days of greed and cynicism.
As Bully said,we all knew it was inevitable, but, I too could have cried when I saw him at the weekend. God bless you.
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Admired & respected for all his hard work wherever he managed,by both the players & fans
May you now Rest In Peace.
As they say in the Black Country ” Yo wuz a gud un”!
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A sad day for all football fans and i can only confirm what a nice man he was.A couple of years ago i was at a function where he spoke and afterwards came over and shook all our hands. What a man and a great example to us all. Irresepective of what team you support i have never heard a bad word said about him. Thank you for what you did for football RIP Sir Booby
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God bless Sir Bobby.
Gave English football it’s respect back.
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What a great loss. He was a real footballing legend. He got us to a quarter final in 86 which we were cheated out of! and obviously the heartbreak of 1990.He gave Bully his international chance whilst he was still a division 4 player. Can you ever see anyone representing their country at the highest level playing the lower leagues??
R.I.P Sir Bobby
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English and World football has lost a true legend
RIP Sir Bobby
Fondly Remembered.
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With deep sadness and even deeper gratitude for all you did for the game. You recognised the legend that is Steve Bull. It took one to know one. RIP Sir Bobby.
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A Great loss to football and everyone. This was a man who was not afraid to play a player on merit and scoring goals dispite what league they were in a real legend who earned the respect of everyone
GOD BLESS WE WILL NEVER FORGET
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What a man, what a manager, what a gent and unfortunately last of a kind. Condolences to his family.
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Sir Bobby, a man i have admired and respected throughout my adult life. When he spoke, people listened, his enthusiasm will be greatly missed. A true legend of football managment. A true gentleman.
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Sir Bobby, thank you for all you have done for football. You are a true gentleman and will be forever remembereb in English and International football.
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R.I.P bobby
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Anyone else from Tipton Grammar School in the 60′s remember Bobby coming to school in his own time and coaching the School team.? Not a lot of the players in this age would dream of doing such a thing…
True gent and fabulous player and manager…I shed a tear when I heard of his passing….
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A legend. Will always remember World Cup Semi against Germany 4 July 1990. PS. Hartlebury Wolf Man is on holiday…..
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26 roger rabbit. Yes I do remember. Bobby Thompson and Graham Hawkins from the wolves used to do it as well. A sad day for the football family.
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RIP bobby. Im too young to remember italia 90 but sure understand why you were one of the greats.
Thanks for all the good times :)
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