 ROBBO: THE BRYAN ROBSON STORY

by Ray Calleja

The film tells the Bryan Robson story. He was a captain, leader and icon. Here is a link to the trailer https:// youtu.be/2zUjOFUf4wg

Bryan Robson signing for Utd.

Bryan Robson, one of the most popular Manchester United players of all time and a regular visitor to Malta, has had a feature film documentary about his career released on 29th November 2021. It is called Robbo: The Bryan Robson Story (2021).

Bryan Robson, born on 11 January 1957 in County Durham in the North East of England and coming from a working-class background started his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972 and it was not until October 1981 that Ron Atkinson signed him for Manchester United, together with Remi Moses. He made his United debut on 7 October 1981 away to Tottenham in the League Cup and he quickly settled in and eventually replaced Ray Wilkins as United captain. He stayed at Old Trafford for almost 13 years and played 461 games, scoring 99 goals for the Reds. He also represented his country and earned 90 caps, between 1980 and 1991, and scored 26 times for England. Bryan became the longestserving captain in Manchester United’s history. He won many honours in his time at Old Trafford including two Premier League titles, three FA cups, one Football League cup, two FA Charity Shields and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He also captained the England team 65 times. Robson’s career is covered in this documentary, which also includes his time as manager. He became player-manager of Middlesbrough in 1994 and spent seven years at Ayrsome Park. Although he retired from playing in 1997, under his guidance Boro reached three Wembley finals, and he also led them to promotion to the Premier League on two occasions in 1994 and 1998. He also returned to West Brom as manager for two years. In the 2004/05 season he helped them avoid what appeared to be certain relegation. After short spells with other clubs and even as national coach of Thailand in 2009, in July 2011 he was appointed ‘Global Ambassador’ at his beloved Manchester United. The documentary is packed with interviews with club legends from different generations, not to mention a feast of classic Robson goals.

Bryan Robson is widely remembered as a fearless and inspirational player and captain, both for club and country, whose presence lifted team-mates and intimidated opponents. At his peak, he was acknowledged as the most complete midfield player in England, and played at the highest level despite a series of devastating injuries. A never-ending supply of stamina, great vision and superb passing skills all across the pitch, controlled aggression in his tackles, plus the added pace and powerful shooting and heading ability which brought him so many goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986, describes Bryan Robson as “without question, the best captain I ever had” and that is quite something considering that Sir Alex spent no less than 26 years at the helm at Old Trafford. He said the players loved him and responded to him as their leader on the pitch. He even said that Bryan was able to take a decision for the team on the pitch. For him, Bryan was a born leader.

Among the Class of ’92 players, big names like David Beckham and Gary Neville have nothing but praise for Robson. Beckham said that “for us youth-team players … he was my hero and we were in awe of Robbo and everything he did.” Neville goes on to admit that “there was no one representing that shirt better than him. He was never selfish and that was something that epitomised him.” Frenchman Eric Cantona labels Robson as “the leader of the leaders” and says that he was a cut above everyone else, even more than influential characters like Mark Hughes, Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane, who all played during Cantona’s time at United.

Respect and praise towards Robson also come from bitter rivals like Liverpool. Their former captain Graeme Souness joins the chorus of praise for Robbo. He said he never faced a tougher opponent than Robson.

Former England teammate, Gary Lineker, said Bryan was one of the players he really looked up to. And if he (Robson) had stayed fit in 1986 and 1990 England would have won one of those World Cup tournaments.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce could not speak more highly of him. He said Bryan has every quality that is needed at the top and he proved he had the quality to be England captain and be the leader at Manchester United for many, many years. He is a great guy and has shown a lot of humility for the positions he has held and for what he has achieved in football.

The film also demonstrates Robson’s skills. He was a powerhouse of a player, who could defend, create, score goals and tackle.

He was honoured by the Queen in the honours list of 1990 and given the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), which was a great honour for Bryan and his entire family. He was the second child in a family of four children. He has one sister and two brothers. He is married to Denise and they have two daughters and a son.

It is worth noting that Bryan Robson’s connection to Malta goes back several years. He started visiting the Island in the late 70s on holiday and he has been a regular visitor

Robson & Bruce Premier trophy.

since. He was again in Malta last summer with another United ex-player, Denis Irwin as part of a VisitMalta promotional campaign. During his trip, Bryan expressed his appreciation for the hospitality that he receives whenever he visits: “I think Malta is great! Every time I come here, I am amazed by the friendliness of the people, the great sites and the good food.”

Bryan had even made a playing appearance in Malta in 1987 when he captained a starstudded Manchester United side in a friendly at Ta’ Qali against Naxxar Lions, winning 9-0, though he did not feature among the scorers.

Back to the film. The documentary is 1 hour 42 minutes long and was directed by John Brocklehurst and produced by Steven Wood and Elizabeth Simmons-Wood and edited by Martin McGreal for Heavy Jacket Productions and Mob Sport. The project took over 18 months to complete. The film is available on DVD, Blu Ray and digital download on main providers such as Amazon, AppleTV and SkyStore. It will also be available on Netflix.

Narrated by actor Ian McShane, Robbo – The Bryan Robson Story features anecdotes from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney and many more, all telling their own personal memories of Robbo, the player, the mentor, the legend.

Although his illustrious career on the pitch is well known, the story of Bryan’s rise to the footballing elite has rarely been told by the man himself. From being scouted by Burnley at just 13, his apprentice years at West Bromwich Albion, his world record transfer to Manchester United and his captaincy of England, he retells in his own words the highs and lows of his 39year career as a player and a manager.

In previously unseen footage, Bryan’s family also address the love they have for the down to earth man they simply call husband, brother and dad.

Bryan Robson had several distinguished guests during the film premiere, on Wednesday 28 November 2021, which took place in Manchester including Sir Alex Ferguson, former England teammate Paul Gascoigne, current United captain Harry Maguire, ex-player and coach Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Gary Pallister, Darren Fletcher and former fellow managers Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Graeme Souness.

Robson’s own message was “if you’ve got a dream, work hard at it but never think that you cannot achieve something.” That, he said, was also the main message of the film. Exclusively for this article Steven Wood, on behalf of Heavy Jacket Productions and Mob Sport, very kindly provided us with an unseen short video from the original footage of the film. It only got edited out at the last minute to cut down on the length of the final version of the film. The video, shot in recent times, shows Bryan having a kick about with his younger brothers, Justin and Gary, with his sister Susan in goal, in the same field in Northlands, Chester‑le‑Street, where they used to play together when they were kids. Scan here to see the clip.

Photography : Gary Oakley Photography Thanks to Film Co‑Producer Steven Wood for his help with material to this article.

C/O Attrans, Mdina Road, Żebbuġ. Malta. Email: gymstarsmalta@gmail.com Tel: +356 21461444 +356 77153025 +356 99164245