Sir Bobby Robson enjoyed two spells as a player at Craven Cottage and one as Manager, the latter his first steps on the road to enjoying success on a national and international level.
Fulham beat off strong competition from Newcastle United and Sunderland for Robson’s signature in October 1950. He then formed a great inside-forward trio with Bedford Jezzard and Johnny Haynes, scoring 19 goals in the 1952/53 season and 23 in 1954/55.
Eventually moved to West Bromwich Albion for £25,000 in 1956 but after 257 appearances and 61 goals for the Midlands outfit, Robson returned to Craven Cottage for a second spell and played in a more defensive position for the Whites.
A cultured player who won 20 caps for England, he gave the Whites another five seasons of outstanding service before retiring in May 1967, having made a career total of 627 appearances, in which he scored 141 goals.
Took charge of Fulham for 10 months as Manager before his highly successful 13-year spell as boss of Ipswich Town, winning the UEFA Cup and FA Cup.
After taking up the international reigns in 1982, Robson led England to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup in 1990.
Highly successful spells abroad at club level followed with PSV Eindhoven (twice), Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto and Barcelona before he eventually returned home to take charge of his beloved Newcastle in 1999.
Robson fought cancer with incredible bravery over the years and never allowed his illness to hold him back. In 2006 he became consultant to the Republic of Ireland despite suffering from ill health and was present at St James’ Park in May 2009 to watch Fulham’s Premier League match with Newcastle.
He died of lung cancer on 31st July 2009 at his home in County Durham.
