JOHNGIBSON United legend is facing biggest fight of his life
ROBSON’S GEORDIE SPIRIT AS HE REFUSES TO GIVE IN TO A CRIPPLING DISEASE
facebook.com/NewcastleChronicle “WHEN I first heard the diagnosis I gathered my son, daughter, and sister around me and we had a good cry.
“Then that old Geordie spirit came surging through and I said: ‘we will see who is going to die.’”
Those words came tumbling out of Tommy Robson this week when he talked with a mixture of candour, defiance and biting emotion of the day he learned he is suffering from motor neurone disease.
Our conversation struck home with even more shuddering impact because it came in the wake of the announcement Glasgow Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen had lost his sixyear battle with MND at the young age of 43.
Son of a Gateshead barber who joined Newcastle United from Chelsea and whose goals shot the Magpies to European Fairs Cup qualification, Robson is now beginning the greatest battle of his life a month and a half past his 75th birthday.
Having survived a huge heart attack and triple bypass seven years ago, he is certainly not a quitter. Robson said: “They thought I was a goner then but I was determined to stick around and I am just as determined now.
“As long as I have a penny in my pocket I intend living to spend it!”
Robson, who still resides in Peterborough where he is a legend having become their greatest ever player, remembers with utmost clarity how he realised something was badly wrong.
He recalled: “It was six months ago when I first noticed the difference.
“I had cramps in my body and pain up my neck into my head. Only for a few seconds at a time but it was not normal.
“Then things got worse. I had to prise open my hands and I struggled to lift my arms above my head. This is often how motor neurone starts - from the arms downwards.
“Now my wife has to dress me and wash me. She says it is like having a child again!
“However, I am going to have a go at this. I am not going to give in. I am going to live a full life for as long as possible.”
To that end Robson has accepted an offer from one of his old clubs Chelsea to be their guest of honour when they play Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on October 19 - and he is due to come up to St James’ Park in the near future to be a guest of his old skipper Bob Moncur at a Premier League match.
Peterborough are also arranging a special dinner and a game in his honour.
He said: “We are hoping to play the match at the end of this season.
“I am thinking of approaching my two high-profile old clubs Newcastle and Chelsea to see if they will help.”
Robson is a regular speaker on the football circuit and a flash of defiant humour emerged when I asked him about his next assignment.
He said: “Oh, it is at the end of the month here in Peterborough.
“Believe it or not it is for the Alzheimer’s Society so we can swap notes on our respective battles. We must all smile despite everything, mustn’t we? What else will keep us going?
“Seriously, I love doing these things, I get great satisfaction from them and I would not dream of letting anyone down.”
Robson has been overwhelmed by the public response to his condition.
He added: “I have received so many warm messages of support.
“We here all about the nasty things in life but there are an awful lot of wonderful people around who make everything worthwhile.”
A flying left-winger, Robsonjoined United from Chelsea in 1966 when Joe Harvey gambled by selling his most talented footballer Alan Suddick for £60,000 and buying three players - Robson, Dave Elliott and John McNamee - in an effort to stave off relegation, which was achieved.
Shortly afterwards, in season 67-68, Robson’s 11 goals played a significant part in United qualifying for the European Fairs Cup which they went on to win.
He said: “I had a great time up front with the likes of Wyn Davies, Albert Bennett, Jim Scott and Pop Robson.
“I finished second top-scorer with 11 goals, one behind Big Wyn. Happy, happy memories.”
A lovely man with a bubbly spirit who signed for Peterborough in November 1968, Robson became their most decorated player - making a record 559 appearances and being inducted into their Hall of Fame.
I am going to have a go at this. I am not going to give in. I am going to live a full life for as long as possible