Bryan Robson is celebrating the 1985 FA Cup win in this signed picture.

Bryan Robson was born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham on 11th January 1957. After trials with Burnley, Coventry City and Newcastle United he joined West Bromwich Albion as an apprentice on 6th September 1972. A skinny youth, his single-mindedness and determination in addition to a diet of raw eggs and Guinness added weight to his slight frame. After signing as a professional on 10th August 1974 he made his League debut away at York City on 12th May 1975, scoring his first goal exactly a week later versus Cardiff City at the Hawthorns. Robson went on to make 194 League appearances (plus four as a substitute) and scored 39 League goals for West Brom. 

After Ron Atkinson took over as manager at United both Robson and Remi Moses followed him from West Brom on 3rd October 1981. The total fee for this double transfer was in the region of £2 million, valuing Robson at £1.5 million. Robson’s first match for United was in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur on 7th October 1981. His League debut was three days later against Manchester City. Linking up with Ray Wilkins in midfield Bryan Robson eventually replaced him as captain of both United and England. He captained United to victory over Brighton in the 1983 FA Cup final replay scoring two goals as United won 4-0 but missed out on United’s first appearance in a League Cup final. In 1985 he again captained United to an FA Cup final victory, this time over Everton. Five years later Robson became the first player to captain a side to three FA Cup final victories as Crystal Palace were defeated 1-0 after a replay. He was not included in United’s side for the 1994 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.

The European Cup Winners’ Cup joined the Old Trafford trophy room in 1991 as United defeated Barcelona 2-1. United again reached the final of the League Cup that year going down 0-1 to Sheffield Wednesday. Time appeared to be running out for the United captain as the club continually failed to mount a consistent challenge for the League title. 

In his final two seasons however, he won not one but two championships despite the fact that he only made a total of 15 starts in the period (a further 14 appearances were made as a substitute). Because of the fact that he was increasingly being used as a squad member and not an integral part of the first team, the consistent Steve Bruce was appointed as captain of the first team. Robson, in recognition of his long service and experience, was appointed as club captain. During his career at Old Trafford Robson made 326 League appearances (with 20 as substitute) scoring 75 goals. His final appearance was against Coventry City at Old Trafford on 8th May 1994, when United were again presented with the Premier League trophy. Whilst at Manchester United he had made 461 appearances in all competitions and scored 99 goals for the club.

Bryan Robson represented England at Youth level, won seven U21 caps, three ‘B’ international caps and 90 full international caps (77 of which whilst at United). Capped for the first time versus Eire at Wembley on 6th February 1980 he scored his first goal versus Norway in 1982. He was appointed captain for the match against Greece in 1983 and went on to captain England on 65 occasions. His final match for England was against Turkey in 1992. He played for England in three World Cups, scoring the quickest goal of the 1982 tournament after 27 seconds versus France, one of his 26 international goals. Bryan Robson was also a member of the Football League team that, as part of the Centenary celebrations of the Football League, played a Rest of the World side.

Robson’s assertiveness and determination on the pitch did have one inevitable consequence – injury. His major injuries have included: 1976 broken left leg and fractured fibula; 1977 broken left leg; 1978 broken right leg; 1983 ankle ligaments and severe foot bruising; 1985 hamstring and dislocated right shoulder; 1986 dislocated right shoulder (twice) and hamstring; 1989 swallowed tongue, bruised ribcage, hernia and fractured left fibula; 1990 Achilles tendon; 1991 calf; 1992 calf and back; 1994 back and hamstring.

After almost 13 years at Old Trafford Robson agreed to join Middlesbrough as player-manager in May 1994, he also joined England Manager Terry Venables’ coaching team. He was awarded the OBE in the 1990 New Year’s Honours list. After twice taking Middlesbrough into the Premiership, in 1995 and 1998, and reaching both the League Cup final and FA Cup final in 1997, with a further League Cup final appearance in 1998, he left Middlesbrough by mutual consent towards the end of 2000-2001 season. He has since managed Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and the national team of Thailand.

Bryan Robson will be remembered as one of the outstanding players of his generation. Assertive and determined he had tremendous stamina and, for a midfield player, an enviable goal scoring record. Always willing to lead by example Robson was, and still is, a great favourite with the Old Trafford faithful.

 

FACT FILE

Name: Bryan Robson

Date of Birth: 11th January 1957

Place: Chester-Le-Street

Position: Midfielder

Signed   : October 1981

Debut: 7th October 1981, Tottenham Hotspur v MUFC (at White Hart Lane), Football League Cup

International Debut: 6th February 1980, England v Republic of Ireland

Playing Career: Washington & Chester-le-Street Schoolboys; Burnley (trial); Coventry City (trial); Newcastle United (trial); West Bromwich Albion; Manchester United; Middlesbrough (player-manager)

Management Career: Middlesbrough; Bradford City; West Bromwich Albion; Sheffield United; Thailand