|
|
|
|
 ..... ......
 ..........
 |
|
|
|
Full Name
|
Bryan Robson
|
|
Date of Birth
|
11th Jan 1957
|
|
Place of Birth
|
Chester-le-Street,
Durham
|
|
Position
|
Central Midfield
|
|
Height
|
5ft 11
|
|
United debut
|
7/10/1981
vs Spurs (A)
|
.....
|
Robson's United Record 1982-1994
|
| |
Appearances
|
Goals
|
|
League
|
326 (19)
|
74
|
|
FA Cup
|
33 (2)
|
10
|
|
League Cup
|
49 (1)
|
5
|
|
Europe
|
26 (1)
|
8
|
|
Total
|
434 (23)
|
97
|
|
Robson's International Record
1980-1990
|
90 Caps for
England - 26 Goals
1994 F.A.
Premier League
1993 F.A. Premier
League
1991 European Cup
Winners Cup
1990 F.A. Cup
1985 F.A. Cup
1983 F.A. Cup
|
Bryan Robson was the leading midfield player in British
football during the 1980s. A player of unrivalled commitment
and determination, he was the driving force behind the
entire United team. It was often said Manchester United were
a "one man team", being totally reliant on Robson for
success. Whenever he was on the pitch United were serious
championship challengers, without him they always struggled.
In short, Robbo was the difference between class and
mediocrity.
A superb ball-winner and tackler, who could shrug off
opponents and make surging runs to drive United forward,
Robson was the ultimate leader and Captain. Sometimes the
rest of the team would say "C'mon Robbo, win it for us" and
there are not many players you can ask of that.
Unfortunately this total unflinching commitment led to him
being injured, often out for crucial games, which, in the
end undoubtedly denied United the chance of title glory in
the 80's.
Born in
Chester-le-Street he began his career with West Bromwich
Albion in 1974 and transferred to Manchester United in 1981
for a then record transfer fee of £1.7 million. A fee that
in hindsight was worth every penny - if only Ron Atkinson's
other signings had have been so shrewd. Robson's 12 years as
skipper makes him the clubs longest serving Captain of all
time. Robbo is still the only British Captain to lead a side
to three FA Cup wins: 1983, 1985 and 1990. He inspired
United with two goals in the FA Cup Final replay against
Brighton in 1983 and also scored in the 1990 final against
Crystal Palace.
Robbo also won the Cup-Winners Cup in 1991 and finally won
the League Championship in 1993 and 94. He also appeared in
the 1982, 1986, and 1990 World Cup finals. Dogged by those
cursed injuries for much of his career, he nevertheless won
90 international caps (65 as Captain) and scored 26
international goals. One of these goals, against France in
1982 after only 27 seconds, is the second quickest ever
scored at the World Cup Finals. |
A real leader of men, he personified the iron-willed "Three
Lions" attitude of England players in that era such as Gary
Lineker, Terry Butcher, Tony Adams and Stuart Pearce. Many
rival fans would have loved to have had him in their team,
but despite all the offers from Italy and elsewhere he
remained loyal to United, the only club he ever wanted to
play for. A great example of his leadership was in a
Cup-winners cup game against Barcelona in 1984 when United,
2-0 down from the first leg came back to win 3-0 at Old
Trafford, Robson getting 2 goals. Robson had a habit of
scoring vital goals and he could certainly shoot as well as
any of the top strikers of his day. Robbo scored a stunning
long-range effort against Liverpool in the 1985 FA Cup
Semi-final replay and his goal against Brighton in the 1983
final was a scorcher from outside the box.
When it became clear he could no longer hold a place in
the United title winning sides of 93 and 94, perhaps
reluctantly he bid farewell to United. After leaving in 1994
he took over as Player-Manager of Middlesbrough and won
promotion to the Premiership in 1995. Signing big name
foreigners Juninho and Ravenelli they reached both the FA
and League Cup Finals in 1997 but were amazingly relegated
as well. Robbo led them straight back to the Premiership the
following season and today they are currently one of the
Premier League's mid-table sides. Many United fans had hoped
that one day he could return as United manager when he
proved himself to be as great a manger as he was a player.
Unfortunately, this has not been the case so far and after a
relegation struggle, although successful, Robson quit
Middlesbrough in May 2001. His replacement, ironically, was
United's former assistant manager Steve McClaren.
After twelve long years of toiling and battling in 1993
Robson finally was a champion. United had won the League
Championship - the holy grail that had eluded them and him
so long. The next year they won it again, by which time
Robson's influence was on the wane. Robson left United and
Old Trafford in May 1994, holding the Premier League Trophy
aloft. It was a fitting end to the United career of "Captain
Marvel", the man who was Manchester United during the
1980s and forever will be a United legend. |
|
|
Back to United Legends
Back
to Main Page
All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
|
|
