Most Liverpool supporters adhere to the mantra of 'We're not English, we are Scouse' and their only concern with the national side is if Steven Gerrard's involvement in the international set up will lead to any potential injury lay off for his club after representing his country.
However perhaps a few of the self-proclaimed 'Scouse separatists' will soften their stance slightly in light of the death of Sir Bobby Robson - who lost a 17-year battle with cancer. Many Reds' fans have paid tribute to the man that the football world will remember as a true gentleman of the game. Robson's managerial career was littered with trophies from championships including three major European leagues. He took Ipswich Town to the heady heights of European football by lifting the FA Cup and UEFA Cup during his time in East Anglia. With the hive of activity in the current transfer market Robson's decision to make just 14 signings in his 13 seasons at Portman Road seems inconceivable for a club who were challenging for major honours under his tenure. The Tractor Boys finished runners-up in the First Division in both 1981 and 1982.
Despite riding high with Ipswich, Sir Bobby chose to go on to bigger and better things by succeeding where Don Revie had failed - by making the transition from club management to country - as England manager. He proceeded over two World Cups, seeing his country dumped out in the latter stages of the tournament in agonising fashion; first to Argentina and Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in 1986 and in the semi finals against West Germany at Italia '90 - an event which endeared the entire nation to the game for the first time since 1966 thanks to some fine amateur dramatics from Paul Gascoigne. It wasn't the high that he had hoped to sign off on but Robson made the tabloid hacks who crucified him and his England side in the early stages of the tournament eat their words with a performance that was a credit to the Three Lions. In the nine years that followed his England exit, he coached at Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Barcelona where he counted a translator by the name of Jose Mourinho as part of his backroom staff. No doubt the current Inter Milan manager is indebted to the gentle Geordie for some of the pointers he received at the Nou Camp.
Trophies and successful managerial stints are all well and good but Robson had something that most managers in the game today don't - humility and common decency. You only have to look on the various websites and message boards to see the lasting impression he left on supporters of all clubs, regardless of affiliation. He will never be regarded as one of the greatest. The likes of the outspoken Brian Clough will be ranked higher in the managerial polls than him. Arrogance and controversy reigns supreme in 21st century football, much to the misfortune of the late Sir Bobby.
Born in County Durham, Robson was from the old school of football. In the 1960s, when Robson was in the twilight years of his playing career, Bill Shankly, Matt Busby and Jock Stein - three of the greatest coaches at the time - were described as the managerial Holy Trinity as they were all vastly successful with Liverpool, Manchester United and Celtic respectively. In additon, they all came from working class backgrounds in Scotland. I believe that the North East has its own Holy Trinity - all of whom are named Bob. First there was Bob Stokoe who led Sunderland to FA Cup glory in 1973 and promotion to the First Division in 1976, then there was the legendary Bob Paisley whose record of three European Cups has yet to be equalled and finally there is another gentle Geordie in Sir Bobby Robson.
Robson's remarkable story saw him lose his 17-year battle with cancer. He had been diagnosed with five different strands of the disease on five separate occasions but continued the fight on and set up the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for cancer research. Even when he was told that the cancer in his lungs was terminal, Robson still saw the glass as half full. When asked about his remaining time in life, he said: "I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go sometime and I have enjoyed every minute." Humility and optimism - that was the man down to a tee, You would be hard pressed to find another former Newcastle or England manager anyone could say that about.
RIP Sir Bobby Robson
Gentleman, Ambassador and Footballing Legend.
You'll Never Walk Alone
