Bobby Robson: The Day I Met Him

One of the greatest contributors to the sport we love passed away yesterday morning. Sir Bobby Robson died after a long battle against cancer. Since his parting, the football world has moved quickly to remember one of the greats.

In passing, Sir Bobby has moved into legendary status. And rightly so.

His career on the pitch lasted over 20 years, taking him from the lights of London with Fulham, to West Bromwich Albion and Vancouver. And even though he never played for one of the fashionable clubs, he still went on to win 20 caps for England as an inside forward.

But the management side of the game was where he really made his name. In a career that started with Fulham in 1968, Sir Bobby went on to manage his home country, as well as eight clubs spread across four countries and then finishing his career as a special consultant for Ireland before taking on an ambassador role for the Emerald Isle's footballing federation, the FAI.

To say that Bobby Robson impacted upon many lives during his 49 year football career would be a bit of an understatement.

And with his passing, the most striking thing about all of the comments being made of the man are the fact that he was always seen as a gentleman who carried himself with great dignity.

He had his fair share of ups and down during his life within the game. You can't have such a long career and not. But Robson never let himself down. He carried himself with an air about him, a gravitas.

I met Sir Bobby two years ago. On the day that Steve Staunton was sacked as manager of Ireland, and as a result, Robson was removed from his post as a special consultant.

In the lead up to Staunton's sacking, the nation's press were in overdrive. Phone-in shows talked about nothing but Staunton. The general populace hated their most capped player of all time, and we wanted his head on a platter.

It was the least kept secret in Irish football. Staunton was going to be sacked sooner rather than later, and Robson would pay the price and go with him.

During Robson's year at Steve Staunton's side, sickness had begun to take over his life. With his health beginning to fail, Staunton was robbed of his chief adviser, and as such, he was at the helm of a ship that he didn't know how to steer.

The period with Ireland was ultimately disappointing for Sir Bobby. He couldn't give his best to Steve and the FAI, and in the end, as with all of football, the manager was sacked for not getting results. Robson's health wasn't even considered as a factor and Staunton paid the price.

The hastily convened meeting by the FAI for Staunton's sacking took place and both he and Robson were removed, Irish football fans rejoiced in Stan being removed but great sympathy was felt was Robson across the country.

With Ireland's football fans and media looking for blood on the floor, the FAI looked to get both Staunton and Robson out of the limelight.

Staunton went back home for a sabbatical while Robson was flown back to England immediately after the meeting.

As he was being driven into the VIP section of the Airport in Dublin, I walked out of the reception.

Initially I was struck dumb a little. Being a massive football fan, of course I knew who he was, and the FAI bouncer and officials who were with him, knew that I knew who he was too.

The FAI officials had reached their worst fears. They had happened upon a couple of Irish football fans who knew who Robson was (he was English too you know), and that there was a pretty good chance that we had also wanted Staunton to be sacked, that much was true.

The first thing that struck me about Robson was how big he was. Even at 74, he seemed well over 6ft and was still well built. I can only think of how big a man he must have been in the prime of his health still playing football.

His left arm was in a splint. I had seen one before after my grandmother had a stroke some years before. He was shaking very slightly and was obviously in the middle of one of his great battles with cancer.

With all things considered, the FAI officials, quite understandably, wanted to move him through as quickly as possible.

We were still just looking at Robson and his aides. You never know how you're going to act in such situations. I wasn't exactly dumb-struck but I didn't want to interfere either.

On the other hand, this was going to be one of the only chances in my life to actually meet someone who really was a legend.

So I plucked up the courage and moved forward towards the car.

Immediately the FAI's officials moved to block my path, but Robson smiled and told them that it was "quite alright lads."

I walked up to him and he put his hand out to shake mine. I thanked him for that. Before I went on to thank him for his contribution to football in general, saying that I was sorry for how things had worked out with Ireland and that I wished him all the best.

He thanked us, I can't exactly remember what he said but it was something along the lines of "Thank you lads. You know, I wish my time with Ireland could have been a little different, but you know..."

"It's always nice to meet nice young lads who love the game as much as me."

We talked a little more, more small talk really. But it was nice.

In the end, he said he had to go after the FAI officials reminded him about his flight schedule.

One of them then turned to us and thanked us for being nice to Robson!

I think the point in telling this meaningless little story is to show Robson's character.

He was visibly suffering with his health, and had just been sacked by Ireland. He had every reason in the world to walk right by us and say nothing. We wouldn't have said anything if he did, in fact we expected him to.

But he chose to stay for a few moments. He gave us a little time, and in effect, he taught us a little lesson. You always carry yourself with dignity and with a respect for others.

I didn't know Bobby Robson. But I'll miss him. Football is a lesser place without him.