FOOTBALL LEGEND
HE was the legendary Geordie football boss who turned unfancied teams into winners, took England to a World Cup semi-final and discovered some of the game’s greatest stars.
But 10 years after his death at 76 Sir Bobby Robson’s family say his proudest legacy wouldn’t just be his glittering career – but the millions of pounds raised in his name to give life and hope to hundreds of cancer patients every day.
In 2008 – as he faced cancer for the fifth and final time – he and wife Lady Elsie set up the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
The aim was to raise £500,000 to equip a new cancer drug trials centre in his beloved Newcastle.
They achieved the target in just eight weeks.
The Foundation gave Sir Bobby new purpose in the final months of his life – and has thrived ever since.
It has now raised £13.5million providing early detection and treatment to 600 patients a year – many of whom have no other treatment available.
Son Mark, 56, said: “Dad will be remembered for so much more than football.
“We see on a daily basis Dad’s continued legacy and it never ceases to surprise.
“He’ ll be looking down so immensely proud that all of this is part of his legacy – not just the football side.
HUMBLE
“It helps save lives, prolongs lives, gives people hope. It works on cancer care and research and it also cares for people.
“That’s what Dad would like, helping people, giving hope and support. Bringing something back to the community.
“The work is primarily in the North East – the community Dad was brought up in.
“That’s why people think so well of him.
“It’s been 10 years and people are still fundraising off their own back. That’s the key. We are continually amazed.
“We ask, why do people do that? What did Dad do that’s made him so highly thought of ?
“He was a good man with a good understanding of human nature.
“He was humble, compassionate. In this day and age when it all seems to be about money, he wasn’t like that.
“He came from a working class background, his grandad and dad worked down the mines, and he enjoyed helping others.
“That’s why the Foundation is so well thought of and supported.”
Sir Bobby died on July 31 2009, and this week his family – including Mark’s brothers Paul and Andrew – will mark the anniversary in Portugal, where he managed Porto and Sporting Lisbon in the 1990s.
Sir Bobby, an inside forward, won 20 England caps during an 18-year playing career at
Fulham, West Bromwich
Albion and Vancouver Royals.
A natural leader, he became manager at Fulham before making his reputation at Ipswich Town – where he won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.
Success earned him the England manager’s job in 1982.
During eight years as boss he tasted bitter defeat in the 1986 World Cup as Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal dumped his side out – then led the team on a glorious run to the 1990 World Cup semi-final where they were only edged out on penalties by Germany.
Prestigious jobs followed, including PSV Eindhoven and Sporting Lisbon, where he spotted the coaching talent of future Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss José Mourinho.
He took Mourinho with him to Barcelona in 1996, where he also signed superstar Ronaldo. His last job in football was managing his childhood favourites Newcastle United from 1999 to 2004. His huge success came despite five shattering cancer diagnoses.
Bowel cancer was discovered in 1992 but he recovered after treatment. In 1995 he was diagnosed