Sir Bobby Robson dies aged 76
Friday 31st July 2009, 11:40AM BST.
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Former Albion striker and England manager Sir Bobby Robson passed away today at the age of 76 after a long battle with lung cancer.
See also: Sir Bobby Robson – A Picture Tribute
Sir Bobby, one of the most popular figures in football, had been fighting a recurring battle with cancer.
Just five days ago a crowd of 33,000 greeted him at St James’s Park, Newcastle, at a match for his cancer charity.
The friendly game featured an England side with Alan Shearer and several members of the 1990 World Cup squad, including Paul Gascoigne.
The former West Bromwich Albion star who was at The Hawthorns from 1956 to 1962 was fighting cancer for the fifth time.
A statement from his family said: “It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.
“He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.”
Tributes poured in this afternoon.
Among them was one from football pundit Alan Hansen who said Sir Bobby was a “tremendous manager, a tremendous person.”
Prince William, who is president of the FA, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about Sir Bobby Robson’s death.
His contribution to English football as a player, manager and superb ambassador for our national game has been immense.”
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sir Bobby would be “sorely missed”.
“He epitomised everything that is great about football in this country,” said Mr Brown.
“His passion, patriotism, dedication and professionalism knew no equal during his time both as a player and a manager.”
Sir Bobby raised millions for cancer research.
What are your thoughts and memories of Sir Bobby?
Post your comments below.
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God bless you Bobby
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God bless you Sir Bob may you rest in peace
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RIP bobby you was a legend god bless sir
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RIP Sir Bobby a great loss to Football. Your suffering has ended and long may you be remembered.
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Whether you be a villa fan like me a dingle a baggie, in fact any football fan im sure everyone thinks he is a legend of the game.
One of a kind and the most likable person in the game, I hope the FA do something in memory of this gent and give him the send off he deserves
Legend
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R.I.P Great man.
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If ever there was a man that befitted the term ‘Legend’ then Sir Bobby deserved it! He gave my hero Steve Bull his International debut and took him to Italia 90 when alot of pundits quaffed at the idea! Bully proved him right by scoring on his debut!
God bless you Sir Bobby, be at peace with the football greats in the sky x
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What a true gentleman you were.The worlds a sadder place without you.
God Bless You.
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God bless Bobby. I was fortunate to be at St James’ Park on Sunday for the tribute game.
It was a fantastic night and a fitting tribute to a true gentlemen who battled his illness with such dignity.
Italia ’90 united the nation and sparked a love affir with football for an entire generation.
A gifted manager, who showed his brilliance at home and abroad.
‘Legend’ does get thrown about it too easily sometimes but in this case it’s totally deserved.
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one of our greats rip bobby
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RIP Sir Bob. A true gent who will be sadly missed by the whole of the football world.
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Another legend gone … RIP Bobby
our thoughts are with your Family
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One of the games’ true gentlemen. Rest in peace Sir Bobby.
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A great coach and a great person, an absolute Gentleman at all times. The footballing world is a worse place without him!
God Speed Sir Bobby!!
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R.I.P Legend
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RIP Sir Bob – A true legend
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Not normally one for mourning celebrity deaths, but I feel genuinely saddened by the loss of Sir Bobby.
A true gentleman, with an infectious enthusiasm for life, even throughout his illness. If there were more Sir Bobby’s in the world, it’d be a much nicer place to live.
God bless you Sir Bobby
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Ex Albion but still a God.
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God Bless Bobby
One of lifes good guys!
My first memory of football was watching his England team in World Cup ’90.
RIP
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God bless you Sir Bobby a gentleman and a sportsman.
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R.I.P SIR BOBBY…A ALBION LEGEND..MR FOOTBALL…
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Such a genuinely great person, an old fashioned gentleman. You commanded respect and affection from all, no matter which team they followed.
You will be greatly missed and the football world will be an emptier place without you.
God bless Sir Bobby
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In a footballing age littered with hype and pretentious stars, alas a more dignified stalwart of a great game has gone. A quiet salute is given.
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RIP Sir Bobby you’ll be sadly missed by everyone who loves football no matter who they support.
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For me Bobby was a great player who moved through all aspects of the game. A gentleman and remember his International exploits both has a player and of course Manager. He was one of the people you listened to when he gave his views-
A bastion for the game and an Ambassador for the Country-His exploits in Spain also are well documented- God Bless Sir Bobbie. (Vio Condias)
Crazey Dave
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The term “Legend” is often used lightly but in this case Bobby Robson was a true legend a gentleman a lover of all things football
RIP sir Bobby Robson
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Rest in peace Bobby, a true legend of the game, an absolute gentleman and a star. You will be sorely missed by all in football and everyone else, what a sad day.
God bless…
WWFC
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Sir Bobby you were a great man, a gentelman and one of the finest managers this country has ever produced.
I loved to watch you interviews on TV when you were at Barcelona with the sea as a back drop.
Can I express my extreme sorrow at the way the British Press slaughtered you when your reign as England’s manager was coming to an end.
But one doesn’t expect anything else from the press in this country.
RIP gentleman Bob.
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R.I.P Sir Bobby,condolances to your family.My first memory was seeing him lead our team out for my first match in 1962.God bless.
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RIP Sir booby, A true gentleman and a legend of football and admired by fans from near and far. God bless
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He didn’t want the money.
He didn’t want the fame.
All he ever wanted was the pleasure of the game.
A great light has gone out.
RIP Sir Robert Robson.
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Thank you for all the good times you gave us with England Sir Bobby.
We have truly lost a great ambassador and gentleman of the game.
God Bless You
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Sir Bob,
A True gentleman of the game, Albion and England legend were very fortunate to have been graced with his presence. A Top man who was everyones friend whoever you supported.
Thanks for the memories
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God Bless you Bobby, I had a tear in my eye earlier when i heard about the news of this great man passing, strange to be crying over a former albion player when I am a Wolves fan. If it touched me it must have touched many. God Bless
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R.I.P Bobby :(
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SIR BOBBY WAS MR.FOOTBALL
A TRUE LEGEND IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL
ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS WHO WILL BE SADLY MISSED
FITTING NEXT WEEK IS WEST BROM V NEWCASTLE
IM SURE BOTH CLUBS AND FANS WILL GIVE HIM THE SEND OFF HE DESERVES
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R.I.P Sir Bobby
A true legend. No more suffering & Im sure you will be able to still watch plenty of our beloved game in the better place you have now gone.
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You will be missed so much the peoples man of football.No one ever can take your place,A very sad day for football. God Bless.R.I.P
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Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.You were a great man and will be a sad loss to the Football World and to all football fans whoever they support.Our thoughts are with your family at this moment in time.
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Someone who deserves the tagline Legend.
RIP Sir Bobby
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R.I.P
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A perfect gentleman who had a unique footballing brain, and is managerial skills were second to none, a truly great man who was so humble, RIP.
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R.I.P Sir Bobby , A true footballing gentleman
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bloody shame…
best wishes to his family
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To the Gentleman of football, our Bob. This is really as sad day. Let us celebrate all you gave to our game next Saturday WBA V Newcastle. You will be terribly missed.
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A friend of mine had cancer behind his nose as did Sir Bobby. He heard about his situation and wrote to him. I saw the letter and this was typical of the man to raise his spirits. He was a genuine true gentleman and the country and football have lost someone with high principles in every area of his life.I never met Sir Bobby but he is very high on my list of heroes. Sir Bobby rest in peace, no more suffering.
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If every footballer adopted the dignity, enthusiasm, respect, boldness and sportsmanship that Sir Bobby oozed, football would be a truly better game. Professional footballers should give some thought to this and their current approach to the game and their lives.
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SIR BOBBY ROBSON – A GREAT MAN, A GREAT MANAGER AND YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE FOREVER R.I.P
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RIP SIR BOBBY A TRUE GENT OF THE GAME A SAD LOSS TO FOOTBALL FANS EVERYWHERE.OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND CONDOLANCES TO YOUR FAMILY AT THIS SAD TIME…
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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 terrible news not just for football, but the world is by far a less better place with his passing…..
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A good man, always seemed to offer his best and with honesty – no matter what the situation. RIP Bobby.
NB: The caption under photo on back page of E & S is wrong – picture was taken at Highbury not the Hawthorns.
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R.I.P old son from a dimgle..when this happens makes you relise..its only a game after all.
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A football legend, a true gentleman with a great sense of humour and a man who was willing to take a risk. He saw what thousands of us wolves fans knew about Bully and took him to Italia 90, great memories thanks Sir Bobby. R.I.P.
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Sir Bobby Robson – A NATIONAL TREASURE much loved and never to be forgotten – a truly great man.
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R.I.P. !!SIR BOBBY!! A TRUE GENT OF THE GAME A SAD LOSS TO FOOTBALL FANS EVERYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD.OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND CONDOLANCES TO YOUR FAMILY AT THIS SAD TIME.REST IN PEACE.
LIVERPOOL FC FAN!!!!
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RIP? Na! There’s a great game in heaven Sir Booby and I’ll see you there!
Cheated by the *utch, cheated by the *ermans but not by God.
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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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Rest In Peace Sir Bobby. You brought so much enjoyment and inspiration to the world of football and never had a bad word for anybody. You treated everyone equally, which reflected on and off the pitch, and also made you a great example to everyone both inside and outside of the game.
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I for one hope that when the baggies play the geordies nxt week they give him an almighty good send off. Best of luck to both of you
WWFC
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R.i.p sir bobby, thoughts with your’e familey.
God bless.
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RIP SIR BOBBY A TRUE FOOTBALL MAN AND GENTELMAN
it was sir bobby who gave us an england team to be proud of back in 1990,after taking all that awfull abuse from the sun ect in the late 80′s
god bless you,thank you for all the memories.
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god bless yu sir bobby,
a true legend in the game all the best up there from a wolves fan lets give him the best send off we possibly can! goodbye one of the worlds greats
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