I knew nothing about Ipswich... but when my wife met Bobby she said, ‘you have to play for him’

ARNOLD MUHREN had no idea he was about to become a pioneer when he signed for Ipswich Town.

In the 42 years since the Dutchman crossed the North Sea to join Sir Bobby Robson at Portman Road, the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Gullit, Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Virgil van Dijk have followed the trail he blazed with such brilliance.

And English football has been much better for it.

But Muhren admits he thought he’d made the biggest mistake of his life after arriving for £150,000 from FC Twente. Although Ipswich had just won the FA Cup, his introduction in the tumult of the old first division left him wondering what he had done.

The former midfielder said: “I made my debut against Liverpool. We lost 3- 0 at home. I only touched the ball three times: once at the kickoff, once when I took a throwin and then after 90 minutes when I handed the ball back to the referee!

“I thought to myself, ‘I have just made the biggest mistake of my life’. The ball was just walloped up front in a typical English style and so after a while I decided to go up to the manager.

“I said, ‘Mr Robson, if you want to get the best out of me, you will have to give me the ball. Otherwise you might as well put the kitman in my position’.

“The rest is history. We finished in the top three almost every time and in 1981 we won the UEFA Cup.

“It was an incredible period of success and the most amazing time of my life.

“I went back to Ipswich just before the Covid crisis and realised the people are never going to forget that great period again. The UEFA Cup was one the biggest trophies they had ever won.”

Muhren, now aged 69, and back working for his former club Ajax as a scout, later signed for Manchester United and helped the Reds win the FA Cup in 1983.

Five years later he supplied the cross that enabled Marco van Basten to volley home one of the greatest-ever goals as Holland were crowned European champions.

But it was at Ipswich, playing alongside countryman Frans Thijssen, where he illustrated how talent being nurtured in Holland could excel in England.

Last week marked the 11th anniversary of Robson’s death.

And Muhren said: “When Bobby came over to talk to me, he was so heartwarming

Muhren during the 1981 UEFA Cup final success over his compatriots AZ

Alkmaar that my wife Geer told me that I just had to play for him.

“Bobby laid on a private jet and when we landed there was a horde of photographers and reporters waiting at the airport. I was convinced that somebody like Paul McCartney had landed.

“After a few days of talking and thinking I decided to give it a go. I was a typical Dutch player and I was wondering if I fitted into the style of play in the English first division.”

He need not have worried, as his cultured left foot helped Robson’s team compete with the elite. And those days will never be forgotten by Ipswich fans, who now find their team languishing in League One.

Muhren added: “When I visited Ipswich a few months ago, the people who work for the club were lovely and full of respect for me.

“They treated me like a hero and said, ‘ We will never forget what you have done for us’.

“But I don’t feel as if I was that great. All I could do in my life was give a decent pass.

“I still follow Ipswich every week. I have done since I left the club and seeing where they are now really hurts me.

“The people at Ipswich feel like family to me and that is why they will always keep a special place in my heart.”

‘I said, ‘Mr Robson, if you want to get the best out of me, you will have to give me the ball.

Otherwise you might as well put the kitman in my

place. The rest is history’

DOUBLE DUTCH Holland stars Muhren & Thijssen lift the UEFA Cup for Ipswich