Fans' Questions - Bryan Robson

Friday, 31 December, 2010

Former captain Bryan Robson answers your questions 'In The Home End'.

'In The Home End' is a regular section within England programmes that gives fans the chance to air their views, tell their stories and put questions to some of the game's biggest names.

Here, former England captain Bryan Robson answers the questions you put to him in the France programme in November.

Who was your England hero as a kid?
Joey Voce, Ormskirk
I had two, Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton. Those two form my first memories of English football. I was a nine-year old kid when England won the World Cup in 1966, so it made a big impression. Moore and Charlton really stood out. Moore was so composed on the ball, and a great timer of tackles. I remember celebrating Bobby Charlton’s brilliant goal against Mexico. Obviously later I played for United and Bobby was there as a director. He loved helping out and talking to the young players. He’s so passionate about the game, so it was great to meet a hero.

What do you remember about your England debut against Ireland in 1980?
Danny Wellings, Walsden
I remember having butterflies walking down the tunnel, but then getting into the game and enjoying it. Kevin Keegan was captain, we won, and I did OK. It’s hard to explain how great it feels to play for your country, especially as the game was at Wembley. I’d played for the England youth teams but it’s nothing like playing for the Seniors. It was a great feeling.

Were there many differences between playing club football and the international game?
Chris McDougall, Hull
For me, club football at the time was all about end-to-end stuff, lots of endeavour and hard work. International football was a lot more tactical. Teams would try to slow the game down and vary the tempo, and that was something pretty new to me coming from the domestic game.

I was chosen to be mascot against Bulgaria recently. I was very nervous before walking out, but did you ever get nervous?
Holly Ryan, aged nine, via Facebook
I’d get a little bit nervous sometimes, but I’d say I wasn’t generally a nervous player, certainly not compared to some. Once the whistle went for kick-off, it was forgotten and I was ready for the challenge. I never lost any sleep before a match, that’s for sure. Some players might toss and turn before a game, but I was always straight to sleep, sometimes for 10 or 12 hours! I’m sure that did me good.

Who was the best player you played with for England?
Gary Kennedy, via email
It’s got to be Gazza. Around the 1990 World Cup especially, it was absolutely fantastic to be on the pitch with him. He played some incredible football, especially before he got his bad injury. He was so skilful, could beat a man, score goals, was a great passer of the ball. He could do things with the ball that nobody else could.

Who was the greatest player you ever faced in the international game?
Suzanne Roberts, Dudley
I’ve got to say Michel Platini is the best I ever faced. France were a great team at that time, and I also faced him against Juventus when I was at United. There are some great players out there who are dribblers, they can beat a man and make runs, and there are other great players who can dictate a game with their passing. The thing about Platini was that he could do both, and you never knew which one he was about to do! If you got close to him and got some tackles in, he’d start playing one-touch, so you couldn’t get him. Absolutely brilliant.

Have you still got the watch you got for scoring the fastest goal back at World Cup 1982? What do you remember about the goal?
Kev Pearson, via email
I’ve still got it, yes! I’m not wearing it at the moment, although it does get the occasional outing. Most of the time it is kept in the safe so it doesn’t get damaged. As for the goal, it was a great start to the game – especially considering that it was my first match in the World Cup Finals. We also won 3-1, so it’s a fantastic memory.

Who was the best manager you worked under with England?
James South, Ealing
Sir Bobby Robson. Ron Greenwood was great, but I worked under Sir Bobby for eight years. He made me captain, and I learned a lot from him over the years. He knew the game inside out, but he combined that with being a great man-manager. He wanted players to enjoy the game, and he did well creating a great camaraderie among us. That’s something I like to do as a manager, too.

What’s life like in Thailand? Are you missing home?
George Harris, Thames Ditton
I’m enjoying it. The climate is very nice, the people are very courteous, and I’m enjoying working with the team. We’re building up to the Asian Games and a competition called the Suzuki Cup, which involves all the South East Asian sides. The team has got some promising young players coming through, and we’ll soon see how good the team is. As for England, I miss family, and being at Old Trafford as an ambassador. I watch United on the TV but it’s not the same.

Which current England player would you most like to have played alongside?
Ella Burton, Manchester
Wayne Rooney. He’s got so much talent, it would have been great to link up with him.

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