Product Description

The autobiography of Sir Bobby Robson, a former international footballer for England who has become one of the most widely respected managers in the World game. In addition to managing England in two World Cups, Sir Bobby has also taken charge of numerous clubs including Barcelona, Newcastle United, PSV Eindhoven, Ipswich Town, Sporting Lisbon and Porto.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4114 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-27
• Released on: 2005-07-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Amazon.co.uk
Bobby Robson is a legend in British football, and his autobiography, Farewell but not Goodbye, is a lively and dramatic picture of a life lived in and for the Beautiful Game. While Robson has been granted almost godlike status in Newcastle and the North East, his career has touched on every aspect of the national sport. The book describes his days as a player for Fulham and West Brom in the 50s and 60s, the 20 England caps he collected over the years and (of course) his spectacularly successful career in management (all 40 years of it); there is no career quite like this in English football.

We all know, of course, that sportsmen's autobiographies are customarily written with a little 'hidden assistance', and Paul Hayward's contribution here should not be overlooked. With the latter's subtle help, the opening chapters detailing Robson's childhood and early years in the North-East have a vividness and texture worthy of such writers as John Braine. But most readers will be keen to get to Robson’s sporting career, and if they do a little judicious skipping of these early chapters, they can be forgiven. Soon, we’re presented with some of the historic sporting achievements which have been part of Robson’s stellar career. There is the ‘Hand of God’ story, the ill-starred Paul Gascoigne's emotional breakdowns (which so endeared him to the nation) and the high tension of Robson’s squiring the England team through two dramatic World Cups.

Too many autobiographies have cheated the reader by drawing a discreet veil over the very things that we most wish to read about -- but Robson will have no truck with such mealy-mouthed evasion; for the first time he describes the real story behind his sacking as Newcastle manager in 2004, and his five turbulent years at St James’s Park is treated with similar frankness. --Barry Forshaw

About the Author
Bobby Robson was born in 1933 in the heart of the mining community in Sacrison, County Durham. Soon afterwards, his family moved to Langley Park, where Bobby's footballing career started, and where he became an apprentice electrician in the mines at the age of fifteen. In 1950, he joined Fulham, followed by West Bromwich Albion in 1956. He won twenty caps for England before embarking on a management career with Ipswich Town, which lasted for thirteen years. He left the club in 1982 to take up the position of England manager, and then coached in Holland, Portugal and Spain before taking over at Newcastle from 1999 until 2004.

Customer Reviews

National Treasure
This fantastic book will ultimately become part of football folklore. Quite simply Sir Bobby is a National treasure embodying all that has been good about British sport over the last half century. The book is funny, informative and utterly delicious. It gives you a real "I was there" feeling, which is of course the stuff of legend. It never resorts to any undignified sensationalism, but why should it when the man's actions speak for themselves. This book is a must for any self-respecting sports fan, or indeed anyone who just loves the man.

Farewell But Not good bye
This book is amazing, ill give you an idea of how good it is. I bought it Saturday afternoon. I began reading, never stopped, 3 am sunday morning, i finish the book. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.

Remembered and much Appreciated
If football is your interest, hobby or life, even if it's not, you will very much enjoy and appreciate this latest autobiography of Bobby Robson. Bobby (just) seems to have always been around in football but his story, comments and wise counsel are fresh and appropriate to today's world of modern international football. If the saying "Been...Done it.....Got the T-Shirt" applies to anyone it truely applies to Bobby Robson. Do read the book you'll enjoy it for who Bobby Robson is, as well as what he has done in his 72 years of life.

Will keep looking at this site to see if FS of Newcastle provides a review and 5 Stars.