What makes a great man?
This may sound like a cliché but the world of football was united in its grief and sadness in response to the death last week of Sir Bobby Robson, the former England manager.
His track record was outstanding: almost getting England to a World Cup Final in 1986 and 1990, European success for unfashionable Ipswich Town FC, and how many Newcastle supporters, now enjoying life in the lower division of the Championship, regret his sacking for ‘not being successful enough’.
Yet, it seems Bobby Robson was even more outstanding – as a man.
While there will certainly be any number of men who’s football track record will far outshine Robson’s, I am hard pressed to think of any one would share the Saint-like reverence enjoyed by Sir Bobby.
One reason for this was Robson’s ability to use what I call Big Box Thinking – seeing things in a far bigger context than others.
His response following the infamous ‘hand of God’ handball – where football legend Diego Maradona cheated his way to a goal by using his hand in the 1986 World Cup England v Argentine quarter final game – is typical.
“I once had to keep my dignity in front of the world’s media having been robbed of a place in the 1986 World Cup semi-finals by a blatant handball by Diego Maradona. I was angry, I was upset, I felt my whole world had caved in. But I also understood the bigger picture, that you have to accept that things can go against you in sport, however high the stakes.”
A great man, much respected, and hopefully others will follow his example.
