Sir Bobby Robson’s ovation was overwhelming

12:39pm Thursday 13th December 2007

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HAVING watched the BBC Sports Personality of the Year programme, I would like to beg forgiveness for using this column to reminisce over days gone by.

It was brought to my attention by the lifetime achievement award for Sir Bobby Robson and the ovation he got when he went up to receive the award.

At such a function, I don't believe I have ever heard an audience stand and applaud for so long.

As a young player-manager at Shrewsbury, we met Ipswich twice in the FA Cup when they were leading or near the top of what is now the Premiership.

We drew the first one at Gay Meadow and lost the replay. The next time we beat Ipswich at Gay Meadow.

Sir Bobby came across to me then as a gentleman but also as someone interested in what was going on at my club.

We later came into contact when, as England manager, he used to be in charge of what was termed the senior coaches and managers' courses at either Lilleshall or Bisham Abbey.

Being in my early 30s and amongst such distinguished football people as Sir Bobby, Dave Sexton and Malcolm Allison and people of that ilk, helped me enormously.

When I became manager of Aston Villa, Bobby, as England manager, was always on the phone talking about the players I had under my care.

Then later, when I was at Wolves, he had what was thought to be the audacity to give a Third Division player an England cap.

I can recall his phone calls about Steve Bull and whether I felt he could play at international level.

Steve would always score goals so the answer was an emphatic yes'.

"Right," said Bobby. "I will come and watch him."

He came to a midweek match at Leicester and, unfortunately, Bully was sent off after 20 minutes for head-butting the centre-half. But that didn't deter Bobby who kept a check on him and eventually put him into the side. Subsequently Steve went to the World Cup in 1990.

Having led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup - the best we have done since 1966 - he went abroad and won championships in Holland, Spain and Portugal. I understand he had a great influence on Jose Mourinho's development as a coach in their time together in Portugal and Spain.

It was sad to see him in not the best of health. But, one thing is for certain, Bobby was the last outstanding England manager and that was recognised by the reception he received.

It was further emphasised when the presentation was made by Sir Alex Ferguson who, over recent months, has refused any contact with the BBC.

For him to turn up at the event indicates how high Sir Bobby is held in the affections of people inside the game as well as outside.