Sir Bobby Robson, R.I.P. 1933-2009 – Poems
In memory of Sir Bobby Robson, who passed away today, we offer up the following tributes. Sir Bobby is possibly the most beloved football personality in Europe – and he’ll be sorely missed.
May he rest in peace. Bobby Robson, 1933-2009.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
PO Box 307
Heaton
NE7 7QG
The Commemoration Poem for Bobby Robson
You guided your troops to hoisting glories.
Each victories was treasured in your special heart;
You gave your army experience and confidence,
Now, you had kicked your last breath into the air for it to melt.
Yesterday’s memories, forever, lingered in your soul,
England and Scotland wished you a safe journey.
The fans and players watched their tears flip flopped on the Thames
To blend with London’s most succulent water.
O, Sir Bobby, your name had been inscribed on many battlefields!
You had had your scintilating moments to cherish.
Here, you played in the final of the ‘LIFE CUP,’
But your rival was too powerful, so you succumbed and lost.
© tri tran
For The Love Of Sir Bobby
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will battle on
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will rise again
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will Gallowgate dream
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will rage on
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will take pride
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will roar by the Tyne
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will rejoice in Newcastle
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will chant on the walls
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will recall the good times
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will brighten our lives
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will drink in the sea
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will sparkle our eyes
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will save our soul
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will keep hold
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will dance with our kids
For the love of Sir Bobby
we will win back our town
© keith armstrong 2009
A Football Gentleman
The Northern stars are dimmed today,
for a great man has passed away.
He died with pride and dignity,
though in pain for all to see.
He gave more to football than he took,
and was an ever open book.
He wore his heart on his sleeve,
football his life to live and breath.
With pride he led the England team,
get near their World Cup dream.
Managed in Spain and Portugal,
as a gentleman he stood tall.
His last post fulfilled the man’s dream,
to take charge of his boyhood team.
Alas the enemy deep inside,
became too hard for him to hide.
Now grown men bow heads, shed a tear,
alas he is no longer here.
But his legend will still live on.
when lesser men have come and gone.
© jim dolbear.31..07.2009.
Good-night…Sir Bobby
The Gallowgate
Indeed the whole football World
Rise up from their seats
As a mark of huge respect
In tribute to the memory of a perfect gent.
How rare and fitting
That two well mannered
Old school gents
From the same Suffolk football club
Who played
For their country
With great distinction
Should go on to manage the national team
And become
Knights of the realm
For their loyal and devoted service
To a working class sport?
© Kevin Raymond
Sir Bobby
Just want to say,
goodbye to a football great,
A proper gentleman
Respected by all
When he talked they listened
Managed like he played
Working class through and through
From the cobbled streets to the pitch
His love of football shone right through
Genuine in a shallow world
So rest in peace Sir Bobby Robson
The football world will not forget you.
© kevin halls. 01.08.09.
Sir Bobby Robson
Cancer thinks that it has won
One million pounds may yet prove it wrong
Enthusiasm, humour, courage
Sir Bobby Robson – his name will live on
Cancer took him in the end
After seventeen years
And five replays
Cancer doesn’t play fair
Elevated to the upper tier
With no more stairs to climb
Sir Bobby’s Foundation will ensure
Others get to extra time
SB Ingle 31.7.09
Robert William Robson
Robert William Robson
Born in the heart of County Durham’s
Mining community. Son of a miner.
A man destined to become
A true footballing legend. We will remember you.
We will remember you with affection.
We will remember your smile.
We will remember your triumphs.
We will remember your dignity.
And perhaps most of all
We will remember your immense courage.
An inspiration to so many.
Our elder statesman of world football
And a man for all seasons.
Rest in peace our bonny lad.
© Oliver 09
Farewell Sir Bobby, But Not Goodbye
Coalminer’s son who captured the nation
Played green football with calm serene
Gentleman who played the game with a smile
Amongst the best the game has ever seen
He said once; “We didn’t underestimate them”
“They were a lot better than we thought”
Side-splitting comments, together with a glint in the eye
And never one to get overwrought
Built bridges as ones very best friend
As Cottager, Royal and Baggie
Prized at Tractor boys, Porto, and Sporting too
Treasured at the Magpies, Barca, PSV
Coached the best in Muhren, Beattie, Romario
Stoichkov, Shearer, Gazza, Ronaldo
Guardiola, Ruud Van Nistelrooy
As well as Robson, Barnes, Mourinho
Fond reference to his national skippers
“Ray Wilkins day will come one night”
“Good morning, Bobby,” to Captain Marvel
Wry smile, full, beaming and bright
“Gary Speed has never played better
Confirming that Speedo “never looked fitter”
Amusing swipe at the old warhorse
Then adding he’s “never been older”
Sir Bobby was a supreme one off
Adored equally from Ankara to Rio
“We’ll miss you” is the global mantra
From Paris, Peking, Dhaka and Tokyo
As the sunset began to descend
Goodbye to Elsie his dear Madame
Farewell to Andrew, Paul and Mark
Wandering slowly back home to Durham
© Emdad Rahman – 31.07.09
Gentleman
A footballing Knight
Says goodbye with dignity,
Cheers Bobby, rest now.
The final whistle has blown
The dressing room calls.
© Alan McKean July 2009
A Class Above
you were a class above the rest
down there in the rain –
emotions running wild on that touchline
grey hair smooth dapper
aching for victory – feeling the game
dignity and loyalty
through and through
always old school
young smile passion and heart
coursing through your veins
Ipswich days
Barcelona nights
a young José at your side
learning the ropes
from the master
England penalty shoot outs
leaving tears and sadness
etched into your face
but always the dignity in defeat
I always felt you never grew up
a child and gentleman all in one
we will miss you
Sir Bobby
your smile..gone
and you
like some schoolroom
in heaven
filled with lost footballing stars…
always
a class above..
© Crispin Thomas
Sir Bobby Robson, R.I.P
Dignity –
there’s not enough of it in the world
but in that regard, Sir Bobby scored the all time hat-trick :
player, manager, top man
loved by all
sadly missed – by everyone
© Clik
About This Site
Welcome to Football Poets -- a club for all football poets, lovers of football and lovers of (alternative) poetry. Discover poets in every league from respected internationals at the top of their game to young hopefuls in the school playground.
Publish your football poems here and then discuss them with your team mates and fans. We're archived by The British Library, so your masterpieces are in the safe hands of a world-class keeper. What a result!
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Latest Comments
27th November 2024 at 5:55 am
‘You’re Supposed To Be At Home’ is an excellent and moving poem Denys.
You start off thinking it’s just about another oft-sung chant, one we personally heard a lot last season throughout our second relegation in a row here at Forest Green(FGR) ! I always love poems where you think they are saying one thing and then they suddenly pull you deeper to somewhere or something else else.
I’m currently helping in a local school for FGR in a voluntary capacity using football to help young students with reading. At an upcoming session we will tackle racism, just like we did in workshops at football schools and grounds when we first started this site 24 years ago. I’m gonna try and weave your poem into a session.
We’ve added it to the Anti- Racism/Kick It Out section under Crispin’s Corner.
Best C
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26th November 2024 at 1:59 pm
Great poem and great to see you back Wyn.
Don’t leave it so long next time my friend!
More please.
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13th September 2024 at 6:14 pm
Welcome to Football Poets Beth
Great evocative poem Beth….
More please !
Haiku always welcome.
Hope we (FGR) get to play you again soon
Best
Crispin
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26th July 2024 at 6:25 pm
Great poem Mike Bartram. Eddie was a legend, affectionately known in Liverpool as, “the first hooligan.” Even the hoolies were well dressed in those days. The amazing thing was he was only 26 when that picture was taken. He’d played for Everton youth team and was well known to the players. He never got arrested. They threw him out and he climbed back in, just in time for Derek Temples winner.
I used the picture of him being tackled to the ground on the front cover of my book, “Once Upon a rhyme in Football.” It’s worth looking on youtube and finding the re-enactment of the Wembley scene. Frank Skinner and Baddiel went around to Eddies home in the 1990’s and acted it out on the green outside. It’s hilarious, especially all the effort they put in to get Eddie sober enough to shoot the scene.
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10th July 2024 at 6:07 pm
Hi Crispin,
I don’t know if you’ve see the picture in social media today…
a picture of a teenage Lionel Messi cradling a baby in Africa as part of a photoshoot…. the family had won a lottery to have their baby pictured with him….
the photographer has just revealed that the baby is actually in fact Lamine Yamal!!!!
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26th May 2024 at 2:30 pm
Hi Denys…
Re Man City:
OK it was 20 years ago but Criag Wilson did write this and a few others on them back in 04/05.
BTW I’m more Forest Green Rover since 2014 (and Chelsea) these days . I drum and am a standing season ticket holder .
Best
Crispin
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29th April 2024 at 2:47 pm
Hi Denys,
Yes Richard Williams you’re a brilliant wordsmith, my friend. When I first saw your football poetry I thought it was the superb Guardian sports and music writer. I once had the honour of sitting next to Richard Williams while at the Independent on the sports desk. He writes about music and sport with immense knowledge and authority. I’ve read a couple of Richard’s books recently. Great writer rather like you Richard Williams the Pompey fan. Congratulations on promotion.
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28th April 2024 at 5:59 pm
Thanks Denys. Yes your replay poem was superb.
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26th April 2024 at 4:46 pm
Nice work, Joe. You were quick off the mark with that! Good one from Richard Williams too I see.
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25th April 2024 at 7:33 pm
Hi Denys,
Thanks mate. I’ll do it now.
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