'Gesture' Rather Than 'Content' With SBR Statue?

07 May 2012 11:48
Sir Bobby Robson was immortalised in bronze on Sunday when the club unveiled a statue to honour his memory.

Now I have to say the honour if fantastic ... of course it is ... but does it look like the man?

The statue at Ipswich is - without doubt - the great man.

But this one by sculptor Tom Maley? What do you think?

Former players and staff members joined manager Alan Pardew, Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie and sons Andrew, Paul and Mark, for the ceremony on Sunday morning just hours before the club's crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The former England manager died in July 2009 at the age of 76 after a fifth battle with cancer.

Lady Elsie: "My husband often spoke of living a black-and-white life.

"It took him from the darkness of Langley Park Colliery to the bright glare of the floodlights. Black and white were the shades that always clung to him.

"When he left the north-east as a young man to pursue his football career, the north-east and Newcastle United never left him.

"It feels fitting that we should be standing on the hill that Bob used to walk up with his father and brothers on a Saturday afternoon to watch Albert Stubbins and his other boyhood heroes.

"It was here that Bob's great love affair with football began and he that he returned to proudly manage Newcastle. He helped them rebuild and eventually lifted them into Europe.

"He would be thrilled with the way Newcastle have performed this season, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of Alan Pardew, his staff and players.

"It was also Newcastle where Bobby built his final team, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the charity he established to help people fighting with cancer, and that has now raised more than £4million.

"Even from the depths of darkness, brightness can emerge. I would like to thank Newcastle United for this magnificent tribute to my husband and for their ongoing support for his charity."

Derek Llambias: "There are only a handful of names in the history of Newcastle United that command the respect and recognition that Sir Bobby did.

"Throughout the world of football, he was respected for his achievements as a player and as a manager and is held in the highest regard by everybody associated with the game.

"But here in the north-east, he was a Geordie icon who helped change the history of this club.

"We are delighted to honour Sir Bobby Robson today. I'm sure you agree that this statue is a fitting tribute to a truly great man."

Steve Harper: "It's fantastic. It's very fitting that the sun is out and it is unveiled before what will hopefully be a fantastic game.

"It's a game he would have loved as a manager and as a fan, which ultimately he was, a huge fan of football as well.

"It's a fantastic statue. Credit to the artist, it really does sum up Sir Bobby at the start of what will hopefully be a fantastic day."

 

Source: FOOTYMAD