The Club was saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Bobby Robson on Friday morning and would like to offer its deepest and sincere condolences to his family.
Sir Bobby enjoyed two spells as a player at Craven Cottage and one as manager on the road to establishing himself in the pantheon of great English managers, enjoying success on a national and international level.
Fulham beat off strong competition from Newcastle and Sunderland for Sir Bobby’s signature in October 1950. He then formed a great inside-forward trio with Beddy Jezzard and Johnny Haynes scoring 19 goals in the 1952-53 and 23 in 1954-55. Sir Bobby became hot property and eventually moved to The Hawthorns for £25,000 in 1956.
After 257 appearances and 61 goals for Albion, Robson moved back to Craven Cottage for a second spell and played in a more defensive position for the Whites. A cultured player, he gave the Whites another five seasons of outstanding service before retiring in May 1967, when his career total was 627 appearances, in which he scored 141 goals.
Early in his managerial career Sir Bobby took charge of Fulham for 10 months before his highly successful 13 year spell as manager of Ipswich Town, winning the UEFA Cup and FA Cup.
After taking up the international reigns in 1982 Sir Bobby famously led England to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup in 1990, only to be knocked out by Germany in a penalty shoot-out. Highly successful spell abroad at club level followed with PSV Eindhoven (twice), Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona before he eventually returned home to take charge of his beloved Newcastle United in 1999.
Robson’s love for the game never wavered and his dedication to his profession, not to mention his outstanding success as a player and manger, means he will always be remembered as a football legend across the world.
Sir Bobby fought cancer with incredible bravery over the years and never allowed his illness to hold him back. As recently as 2006 he became consultant to the Republic of Ireland despite suffering from ill health and was present at St. James’ Park in May 2009, watching Fulham’s Premier League match with Newcastle United.
Sir Bobby earned 20 England caps as a player and also played for the U-23 and B sides and five times for the Football League.