Source: Daily_Mail
Titus Bramble pays homage to Sir Bobby Robson
ShareMost managers would have washed their hands of him.[LNB]Titus Bramble had potential, which is why Sir Bobby Robson paid Ipswich Town ?6m for him nine years ago.[LNB]Despite the great man's tireless devotion and patience, the defender appeared to have a scatty dedication to his trade. He was no stranger to the Quayside, and with his off field notoriety came mistakes and accusations that he lacked concentration.[LNB] Inspiration: Sir Bobby Robson (left) made a big impression on Titus Bramble (centre) [LNB]'It was hard to deal with the criticism, but harder for my family,' Bramble said. 'My mum reads a lot of papers and she saw lots of horrible things which weren't justified.[LNB]'I'm a strong enough person and I don't mind getting stick. It was the person who picked the team that mattered.'[LNB]And Sir Bobby Robson persevered and continued to pick him.[LNB]Bramble's biggest regret as he prepares for another afternoon in the stands, is that his knee injury prevents him from ending his first season on Wearside as well as he started it.[LNB]And he will also be unable to pay homage to his mentor Sir Bobby Robson when the Sunderland players warm up for their clash with former manager Mick McCarthy's desperate Wolves side.[LNB]The few players Steve Bruce has to choose from for his final home game of an ultimately draining season will be wearing Sir Bobby Robson Foundation wristbands. And Bramble will wear one anyway of course.[LNB] Making an impact: Bramble (left) rose to prominence at Ipswich[LNB]He said: 'Sir Bobby and the cause which bears his name now is bigger than any local rivalry. He's loved across the North East and across the country in general, because of his achievements and because of the way he conducted himself. I feel privileged to have played under him.[LNB]'He has had a massive influence on my whole career. I worked with him for three years and enjoyed every minute of it. He was a great man and a great manager.[LNB]'My family were all Ipswich fans and went to watch the great team he assembled. When I got the move to Newcastle, they were all delighted because they knew what a special man he was. Newcastle were such a big club. The two things went hand in hand. It was impossible to turn down.[LNB]'He just loved football - every day he came into work with a smile on his face and that put a smile on your face.[LNB]Angel of the north: Bramble crossed the divide to join Sunderland, after a spell with Wigan[LNB]'I had my share of ups and downs, but he was always very protective of me. He had paid a bit of money for me, so he had obviously seen something in me, and at the times I was getting criticised. He told me he thought it was unfair and he had my back 100 per cent of the time. I'll always be grateful to him for that.'[LNB]Robson would have been proud of Bramble's return to his homeland. Bramble ignored the sceptics, including myself, who wrote him off after Bruce signed him from Wigan for around ?1m.[LNB]But Sunderland fans were uncertain too. He was the subject of derogatory texts from both sides of the divide. And until his injury, he was Sunderland's player of the season.[LNB]Bramble said: 'I can't lie - before the first home game of the season, I was wondering what sort of reactionI'd get. It was on my mind the whole week, but the moment I stepped outI got a great and warm reception. It meant such a lot to me.[LNB]'Speaking to the manager put my mind at rest. I'd really enjoyed playing for him at Wigan and once I spoke tohim it didn't take long to decide.[LNB]'I didn't really think I had anythingto prove. I just wanted to win the Sunderland fans over, because I'd been at Newcastle and now I was playing for their club. They've been great with me from the moment I got to the airport for pre-season in Portugal.[LNB]'In the first game we played over there, I got a bit of stick from a couple of lads, who'd obviously been drinking, but you expect that and I dealt with it. Everybody else has been fantastic.'[LNB] Sunderland 1 Wolves 3: McCarthy's men soar out of the bottom threeBramble out for rest of the season with troublesome knee injury Bramble: Sunderland must be brave enough to clinch a place in EuropeAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Mick McCarthy, Titus Bramble, Steve Bruce, Bobby Robson Places: Newcastle, Portugal
