Tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final clash will be the first one England have featured in since Sir Bobby Robson led the Three Lions to a gallant penalty shootout defeat to West Germany in 1990.
One of the most popular managers England ever produced, Robson has been remembered in a recent film “Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager”, an emotional remembering of the man that brought a national as close as they’ve ever been to a World Cup final since Ramsey and 1966.
A clip has emerged, too, of a poignant moment from the life of the gaffer from an early TV documentary entitled ‘Gazza’s Tears: The Night That Changed Football’.
It recalls the time when, days before his passing from cancer, Robson left his sick bed to make an appearance at a tribute match in his honour between his England and Germany at St. James’ Park.
His son, Mark, tells of what his father said after the match.
After an emotional appearance, Mark tells, Bobby asked: “How did Gascoigne play?”
Incredibly, after what would be his last public appearance - he was to die five days later - his first concern was to ask about how his old protege Paul Gascoigne had played, all those years after he consoled him on the field after that devastating 1990 loss to the Germans.
Gascoigne, visibly emotional having heard that recounting of the story for the first time, and his reaction serve as a display of how impactful Robson had been in his young life at that time.
Watch the full piece below:
The Gaffer made a brave appearance just 5 days before he passed away. His final words about Gazza will bring a tear to your eye...
