Bryan Robson Biography

Bryan Robson Biography

Date of Birth : 11th Jan 1957
Place of Birth :Chester-le-Street,Durham
Position :Central Midfield
Height: 5ft 11
United debut :7/10/1981vs Spurs (A)

Appearances Goals
League:326 (19),74
FA Cup:33 (2),10
League Cup:50 (1),5
Europe:26 (1),8
Other games:2 (1),2
Total:437 (24),99

Robson's International Record 1980-1990 :90 Caps for England - 26 Goals ..

Honours with United :
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. In 2004 he brought his career full circle and took charge of West Bromwich Albion, but after failing to keep the Baggies in the Premiership for more than one season he left the Hawthorn's in September 2006. However, it is what he did on the pitch that United fan's will always treasure Robson for. And 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 his 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.

Related Posts by Categories

Widget by Scrapur