Bryan Robson

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International playing career

In the summer of 1975 Robson was called up to the England youth team for the "mini World Cup". He played as a centre-half during the tournament, which England won, beating Finland 1–0 in the final. He was selected for the England Under-21s for the first time in March 1977, but was withdrawn from the squad by his club West Bromwich Albion, who needed him for a league match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Albion drew 2–2, with Robson scoring one of the goals. On 6 February 1979 he finally made his England under-21 debut, albeit as an overage player (he was 22 at the time) as England beat Wales Under-21s 1–0 at Swansea's Vetch Field.cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = pp37–39] [cite web
last=Courtney
first=Barrie
date=2004-01-10
url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-u21-intres76.html
title=England - U-21 International Results 1976-1985 - Details
publisher=RSSSF
accessdate=2007-09-18] He made his
England B debut on 12 June 1979, and scored after just five minutes to give England a 1–0 lead against Austria B in Klagenfurt, although the match was abandoned after 60 minutes.cite web
last=Courtney
first=Barrie
date=2004-03-21
url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-b-intres-det.html
title=England - International Results B-Team - Details
publisher=RSSSF
accessdate=2007-09-18] He appeared three times for England B in all, captaining the side on his third and final appearance as England drew 0–0 with Algeria's A team in Algiers on 11 December 1990.

On 6 February 1980 Robson made his full international debut, and his first appearance at Wembley, as England beat the Republic of Ireland 2–0 in a qualifier for that summer's European Championships. [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = p41] His second cap came in the final preparation game for the finals—a 2–1 win over Australia in Sydney—but he didn't feature in the tournament itself, from which England were eliminated in the first round. On 9 September 1981 he marked his 13th cap by scoring his first goal for England, in a 2–1 defeat to Norway in Oslo. The match is remembered mainly for Norwegian commentator Bjørge Lillelien's taunting of England following the final whistle. [cite news
title = Greatest Ever Commentary - Day 1
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/sport/bestcommentary/day1.shtml
publisher = BBC Radio 5 Live
date = 2005-08-16
accessdate = 2008-03-04]

England coach Ron Greenwood started to feature Robson regularly in his midfield, selecting him for the first dozen internationals after the European Championships finished, including all eight of the qualifying games for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, through which England earned a place in the finals. Robson was in the record books for 20 years thanks to a goal scored against France in England's opening game of the 1982 World Cup. It came after just 27 seconds of the match - the fastest in World Cup finals history until 2002 when Hakan Şükür scored after ten seconds in the third-place match against South Korea. For Robson's achievement, he received an inscribed gold watch, which he still occasionally wears. [cite web
url = http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?area=goals100&type=1&area_id=45&article=10554
title = 100 Greatest Goals
accessdate = 2007-09-18
last = Harding
first = John
date = 2007-06-09
work = GiveMeFootball.com
publisher = Professional Footballers' Association]

Robson captained England for the first time on 17 November 1982, leading the side to a 3–0 win over Greece in Salonika. He scored a hat-trick in England's 8–0 victory over Turkey in Istanbul on 14 November 1984. "Captain Marvel", as he was nicknamed, helped England qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. By now he was considered by England manager Bobby Robson to be the best player in England. [cite book
last = Robson
first = Bobby
title = Farewell but Not Goodbye
publisher = Hodder & Stoughton
year = 2005
pages = p120
isbn = 034582347X ] However his hopes of glory were crushed by a 2–1 defeat against Argentina in the quarter final. Robson was injured and didn't play in that game; in fact England's improvement in the tournament was connected to the fact that he was injured in a warm-up game, and was never fully fit. Robson re-injured himself in a 0–0 draw in England's second game against Morocco and played no further part in the World Cup that year.

But Robson was faced with more adversity of his own - a shoulder injury which affected him for weeks after the competition. Two years later Robson played well for England at the 1988 European Championship in West Germany but was unable to prevent them from going out in the first phase of the competition, having lost all three of their group games.

Robson was a regular player for England throughout the 1980s and continued his international career until 1991, during which time he played a prominent role in helping England reach the World Cup second round in 1982, the World Cup Quarter Final in 1986, and the European Championship group stages in 1988. His role was limited during the 1990 World Cup because of injury and David Platt took his place during the knock-out stages as England came fourth.

Managerial career

Middlesbrough

Bryan Robson made a dream start to his managerial career as Middlesbrough won the Division One title and promotion to the Premier League in their final season at Ayresome Park before relocation to the new 35,000-seat Riverside Stadium on the banks of the River Tees. He was assisted by Viv Anderson, another former Manchester United player.

Middlesbrough made an ambitious return to the Premiership and attracted expensively-signed big names like Nick Barmby and the Brazilians Juninho and Branco. They went fourth in the Premiership in October 1995, sparking hopes of UEFA Cup qualification, but an injury crisis severely demoralised the side and they slid down the table to finish 12th.

In 1996–97, Robson led Boro to both domestic cup finals but they lost both, losing 1–0 in a replay to Leicester City in the League Cup Final and 2–0 in the FA Cup Final to Chelsea, while they suffered relegation in the Premier League—which would have been avoided if they had not been deducted three points in mid-season for cancelling a fixture at late notice.

Despite these set backs the board kept faith in Robson and he repaid their loyalty with automatic promotion back to the Premiership in 1997–98. Again the club missed out on cup success at the final hurdle with a 1–0 defeat against Chelsea in the League Cup final.

In November 2000, he criticised his players following a string of poor results which had dragged them into a relegation battle. [cite news
url = http://www.rte.ie/sport/2000/1119/middlesboro.html
title = Make or break for Robson
publisher = RTÉ Sport
date = 2000-11-19
accessdate = 2008-01-20
first=Amanda
last=Fennelly] A month later Middlesbrough brought in Terry Venables as head coach to assist Robson, who remained as manager. [cite news
title = Robson hopes Venables stays
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1054641.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2000-12-05
accessdate = 2007-10-15] Robson left the club "by mutual consent" in June 2001, having failed to bring the club higher than ninth in the league, or to bring them any silverware. [cite news
title = Robson leaves Middlesbrough
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/1370418.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2001-06-05
accessdate = 2007-08-22] His successor was Steve McClaren, the Manchester United assistant manager.

Bradford City

Following the resignation of Mick McCarthy, Robson emerged in January 2003 as the bookmakers' favourite to become the new Republic of Ireland manager, [cite news
title = Robson favourite for Irish job
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/2660325.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-01-15
accessdate = 2007-10-16] but the job went instead to Brian Kerr. [cite news
title = Kerr is new Republic boss
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/2699509.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-01-27
accessdate = 2007-10-16] In November 2003 Robson was set to become Nigeria's national coach, but the appointment was blocked by the Nigerian sports minister due to doubts that Robson's wage demands could be met. [cite news
title = Nigeria stall Robson plan
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/3241497.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-11-05
accessdate = 2007-10-16] Later that month, Robson did make his football comeback—more than two years after leaving Middlesbrough—when he accepted the manager's job with Division One strugglers Bradford City. [cite news
title = Bradford appoint Robson
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/3231226.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-11-24
accessdate = 2007-08-22] Robson won his first game in charge as Bradford fought back from 2–0 down to beat Millwall 3–2. [ cite news
title = We love you Robbo!
url = http://archive.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/2003/12/1/105241.html
publisher = Telegraph & Argus
date = 2003-12-01
accessdate = 2007-10-09] But he recorded just six more wins as Bradford took only 22 points from 27 games under Robson and were relegated in 23rd position. Robson's short-term contract was not renewed and he handed the reins over to his assistant Colin Todd. [cite news
title = Todd is new Bantams manager
url = http://archive.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/2004/6/17/99852.html
publisher = Telegraph & Argus
date = 2004-06-17
accessdate = 2007-10-09]

West Bromwich Albion

Bryan Robson's third management job began on 9 November 2004, when he agreed to return to his old club West Bromwich Albion as manager – 23 years after his departure as a player. [cite news
title =Baggies appoint Robson as manager
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/3990013.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2004-11-09
accessdate = 2007-08-22] His first match in charge ended in a 2–1 home defeat to his former club Middlesbrough. [cite news
title = West Brom 1-2 Middlesbrough
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3988389.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2004-11-14
accessdate = 2007-10-16] A 4–0 loss away to local rivals Birmingham City on 18 December meant that Albion were bottom of the Premiership on Christmas Day, a position from which no team had previously escaped relegation from the Premiership. [cite news
title = Birmingham 4-0 West Brom
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4087991.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2004-12-18
accessdate = 2007-10-16] Robson was the subject of derisory chants from Albion supporters during the game. [cite news
title =Robson criticises Baggies defence
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/4104113.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2004-12-18
accessdate = 2007-10-16] The team were also bottom going into the last game of the season. However Robson and his players defied all the odds to stay up thanks to a 2–0 home win over Portsmouth on the final day of the season, coupled with favourable results from elsewhere. Despite some significant new signings in the 2005 close season, his team failed to build on this achievement in 2005–06 though, and Albion were relegated with two matches left to play. They had failed to win any of their final 13 Premier League games. [cite news
title = Albion suffer relegation
url = http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~823497,00.html
publisher = West Bromwich Albion F.C.
date = 2006-04-29
accessdate = 2007-11-02] Robson left the club "by mutual consent" on 18 September 2006, following a disappointing start to the season with The Baggies in 9th place in the Coca Cola Championship with only three wins from their first eight games. [cite news
title = Robson and West Brom part company
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/5355924.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2006-09-18
accessdate = 2007-08-14]

After his departure from West Brom, Robson spent eight months out of the game. He was interested in becoming the England under-21 team's full-time manager, but the job went instead to Stuart Pearce on a part-time basis. [cite news
title = Robson wanted England U21s role
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6338791.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-02-07
accessdate = 2008-04-23]

heffield United

On 22 May 2007 it was announced at a press conference that Bryan Robson and Brian Kidd would be the new management team at Sheffield United following the resignation of long-serving manager Neil Warnock.cite news
title = Robson unveiled as Sheff Utd boss
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6672447.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-05-22
accessdate = 2007-05-22] His first match in charge was a home match against Colchester United on 11 August in a 2–2 draw.cite news | title = United fail to live up to the hype|url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/blades/United-fail-to-live-up.3105531.jp|publisher = The Sheffield Star|date = 2007-08-13| accessdate = 2007-10-17] His first win was three days later in a 3–1 win against Chesterfield in the Carling Cup.cite news| title = Robson's charges start to get it right| url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/blades/Robson39s-charges-start-to-get.3110989.jp| publisher = The Sheffield Star| date = 2007-08-15| accessdate = 2007-10-17] United subsequently collected nine points in their first 10 league matches, leaving the Blades in 20th place in the Championship and prompting Robson to comment about the situation.cite news| title = Be patient says Robbo| url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/blades/Be-patient-says-Robbo.3363025.jp| publisher = The Sheffield Star| date = 2007-10-10| accessdate = 2007-10-17] After a string of inconsistent results and a 2–0 derby defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, Robson publicly stated that he had lost patience with his players. [cite news
url = http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~1219791,00.html
title = Robson's patience runs out
publisher = Sheffield United F.C.
date = 2008-01-19
accessdate = 2008-01-20] Following calls for Robson's resignation, Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe gave Robson his public backing and called for patience and unity. [cite news
url = http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~1223523,00.html
title = Chairman Urges Unity
publisher = Sheffield United F.C.
date = 2008-01-24
accessdate = 2008-01-24] Robson has since expressed his disappointment at not having the funds he was expecting to help rebuild the team. [cite news
url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_3076759,00.html
title = Robson hits out at funds
publisher = Sky Sports News
date = 2008-01-25
accessdate = 2008-01-25] After the 0–0 draw at home to Scunthorpe United on 9 February 2008 Robson came under increasing pressure from fans urging the board to sack the manager. [cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7223912.stm
title = Sheffield United 0-0 Scunthorpe United
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-02-09
accessdate = 2008-02-09] Consequently, Robson was summoned to a meeting in Brussels on 13 February 2008 with club PLC Chairman Kevin McCabe as the club considered its response to the scenes which followed Saturday's draw with Scunthorpe. [cite news
url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/sportheadlines/Showdown-Robson-summoned-for-talks.3763378.jp
title = Showdown: Robson summoned for talks with McCabe
publisher = The Sheffield Star
date = 2008-02-11
accessdate = 2008-02-11] In an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield Robson stated that his team could have won the match with Scunthorpe if they had better support from the fans. [cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7238885.stm
title = Robson faces Sheff Utd job talks
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-02-11
accessdate = 2008-02-11] After his meeting with McCabe on 14 February he was "relieved of his first-team duties" before later in the day leaving Sheffield United after turning down another role with the club. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7238885.stm
title=Blackwell in for Robson at Blades
date=14 February 2008
accessdate=2008-02-14
publisher=BBC Sport]

Return to Manchester United

In March 2008, 14 years after he had last played for them, Robson returned to Manchester United to work as an ambassador, for an initial period of 12 months. He will work alongside Bobby Charlton to help United 'promote its commercial and charitable aims'. [cite news
url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3327001,00.html
title = Robson takes up United post
publisher = Sky Sports News
date = 2008-03-20
accessdate = 2008-03-24]

Managerial stats

:"Includes all competitive games. Updated 13 February 2008." [cite web
url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=260
title=Bryan Robson's managerial career
publisher=Soccerbase
accessdate=2008-02-13]

Career honours

Playing honours

Manchester United

;Premier League
*Winner (2): 1992–93, 1993–94;Football League First Division
*Runner-up (2): 1987-88, 1991–92;FA Cup
*Winner (4): 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994;Football League Cup
*Winner (1): 1992
*Runner-up (3): 1983, 1991, 1994;FA Charity Shield
*Winner (3): 1983, 1990, 1993
*Runner-up (1): 1985;European Cup Winners' Cup
*Winner (1): 1991;UEFA Super Cup
*Winner (1): 1991

Managerial honours

Middlesbrough

;Football League First Division
*Winner (1): 1994–95
*Runner-up (1): 1997–98;FA Cup
*Runner-up (1): 1997;Football League Cup
*Runner-up (1): 1997

Personal honours

Robson was awarded the OBE in the January 1990 New Year's Honours. [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = p131] In 1998 he was named among the list of Football League 100 Legends, [cite news
title=Football Legends list in full
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm
publisher=BBC News
date=1998-08-05
accessdate=2008-04-23] and was made an Inaugural Inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his impact on the English game as a player. [cite web
title =2002 Inaugural Inductees
url = http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/2002.htm
publisher = National Football Museum
accessdate = 2007-10-15] He was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a 2004 poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations. [cite news
date=2004-08-04
url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~547701,00.html
title=The wraps come off 125th anniversary mural
publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C.
accessdate=2008-04-27]

Life outside football

Personal life

Robson married Denise Brindley on 2 June 1979. The couple have three children: Claire (born 17 September 1980), [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = p43] Charlotte (born 17 June 1982), [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = p61] and Ben (born 2 September 1988). [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = p131] In 2000 he was exposed as having an affair with Sky Sports reporter Claire Tomlinson. [cite web | title=TV sports girls: Clare Tomlinson | url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/galleries/tv-sports-girls.php?ssid=9 | publisher=Virgin Media | accessdate=2007-09-17]

Other activities

As a player, Robson endorsed products by adidas, and later New Balance football boots, as well as owning a stake in the Birthdays greeting card chain. [cite book
last = Robson
title = Robbo: My Autobiography
pages = pp59–60] He was the subject of the television programme "This Is Your Life" in 1985. [cite web
url = http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1303544/
title = Bryan Robson (II) Filmography
accessdate = 2007-10-16
publisher = The Internet Movie Database ] Robson has appeared in a number of advertisements, including an appearance in Carlsberg's 2006 "Best Pub Side" television commercial, where he starred alongside other former England players. [Cite web
url = http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/04/Carlsberg_advertisement.htm
title = Carlsberg's "Best Pub Side" TV commercial
publisher = TheFA.com
date = 2006-04-19
accessdate = 2007-10-02] In 2007 he formed a specialist sports company, Robson Lloyd Consultancy Ltd, with an aim to build community sports academies with long-lasting benefits for small Football clubs. His autobiography, entitled "Robbo: My Autobiography" was released in May 2006. [cite web
url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Robbo-My-Autobiography-Bryan-Robson/dp/0340839562/ref=sr_1_4/203-7356263-7170340?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191789545&sr=1-4
title=Robbo: My Autobiography (Hardcover)
publisher=Amazon.co.uk
accessdate=2007-10-07]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/?&i=3232&t=n&t=pf FA.com profile]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3165-1351479,00.html Times profile]
* [http://www.robsonlloyd.com/ Robson Lloyd Consultancy Ltd]
*soccerbase (manager)|id=260|name=Bryan Robson
*imdb name|id=1303544|name=Bryan Robson
* [http://www.englandstats.com/playerreport.php?pid=817 Englandstats.com profile]

Persondata
NAME=Robson, Bryan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Captain Marvel (nickname)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Football player and manager
DATE OF BIRTH=11 January 1957
PLACE OF BIRTH=Chester-le-Street, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=