The Shropshire Star’s Neil Thomas pays tribute to a much loved football manager who knew how to win and lose.

Sir Bobby Robson was one of the most beloved of British football managers in the post war era. In a world of inflated egos, his humility endeared him to millions.

He won with grace and lost with dignity. There was neither conceit nor sour grapes. His approach to football throughout his life made him an almost flawless role model.

He must rank as England’s unluckiest manager.

At the Mexico World Cup in 1986, England were beaten by Argentina in the quarter-final with Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal proving crucial.

Yet when his team four years later were cruelly denied a place in the World Cup final of 1990 in Italy, losing a penalty shoot-out to Germany after dominating a 1-1 draw, Robson smiled ruefully, wiped away a tear and congratulated the Germans.

There was little surprise that the team, forged in his image, won the fair play award.

He received the trophy after Germany’s victory over Argentina in the final and I have an image of the German striker Rudy Voller breaking off from his own celebrations to run across and embrace Robson.

Those exploits meant he was the country’s most successful national manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.

On a smaller stage he was equally as gracious when, in the early 1980s, he twice brought his fabulous, high-flying Ipswich Town team to Gay Meadow and lost cup-ties to Shrewsbury Town.

There were no excuses, no histrionics.

Gentleman

Small wonder he was known throughout the world for being a gentleman of British sport.

Shropshire Star assistant editor Carl Jones said: “I had the honour of sharing an executive box with Sir Bobby back in the late 1980s at Molineux, when he was scouting on Wolves striker Steve Bull.

“He was polite, gracious and genuine – a man who had time for everyone.

“He loved football, he loved life, and it’s easy to understand why everyone loved him.”

I can only echo Carl’s sentiments, having, as a young sports reporter in the early 1980s, interviewed Robson before and after the first of those Gay Meadow cup ties.

He was friendly and approachable and, for the busy manager of an elite team, generous with his time and praise for Shrewsbury.

He was loved for his enthusiasm for the beautiful game and his willingness to share the knowledge he gained.

Foundation

Five times he fought cancer, and after his last diagnosis he devoted his time to raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which kitted out a state-of-the art centre in Newcastle to fight the disease.

Such was the public’s regard for Sir Bobby that the £500,000 needed was raised in just seven weeks.

Fans from around the world contributed to what he hoped would be his most lasting legacy.

By his 76th birthday, the total was well over £1.2 million.

Robert William Robson, the son of a County Durham miner, was born in Sacriston on February 18 1933 and grew up in nearby Langley Park, a pit village near Durham City.

As a youngster he travelled with his father Philip and brother Ronnie 20 miles on the bus to watch the Newcastle United team of the 1940s, which included the great Jackie Milburn.

His own skills with a ball meant he could give up a career underground.

Robson, whose father was a miner, had taken an apprenticeship as a pit electrician, but signed forms with Fulham, aged 17.

Through the 1950s and early 1960s he was a top player with the London club and then with West Bromwich Albion.

Robson, a goal-scoring midfielder, was the first player to negotiate an “image rights deal” and was paid a fee of three guineas for his photo to appear on cigarette cards.

He won 20 England caps, and took part in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, but eventually lost his place in the team to Bobby Moore.

It was as a manager that Robson truly excelled, after an early struggle.

His first job, at Fulham, lasted just 10 months, and in 1969 he took over unfancied Ipswich Town.

There he moulded a side which by the late 1970s was in the top echelons of English and European football.

They lifted the FA Cup in 1978 beating mighty Arsenal and followed it in 1981 by winning the Uefa Cup.

The following year Robson could not resist the FA’s call to become England boss.

His side over the next eight years featured greats like Bryan Robson, Gary Lineker, Terry Butcher, and the emerging talent of Paul Gascoigne – dubbed “daft as a brush” by Robson.

Barcelona

After the heady England years, Robson moved on to PSV Eindhoven in Holland, winning the Dutch league, then on to Sporting Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, where he won more championships.

A move to Barcelona in 1996 was perhaps the biggest job in his club career, and he led them to Cup Winners’ Cup success in Europe.

In 1999 he made a romantic return to Newcastle at the age of 66.

He was now a respected elder statesman who used his powerful voice within the game.

He always resisted the temptation to believe things were better in his day, graciously saying: “I know there are problems with the football industry but the game itself is better than it has been.

“Players are fitter, stronger, quicker and more skillful.”

Robson was knighted in 2002.

In 2004, he was sacked by Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd after the club finished fifth in the Premier League.

His last job in football came in 2006 when he was a consultant to the rookie Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton.

In 2007, during a night of high emotion, British stars gave Sir Bobby a rousing ovation after he was handed BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.

He finally admitted cancer was going to kill him, saying: “I have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left. Everyone has to go some time, and I have enjoyed every minute.”

Sir Bobby is survived by his wife Lady Elsie and their three children, Andrew, Paul and Mark.

By Neil Thomas