Bryan 'Pop' Robson

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For the former Manchester United and England player, ex West Bromwich Albion manager, see Bryan Robson

Bryan Stanley Robson, better known as Pop Robson, was born in Sunderland on November 11, 1945. He was a much travelled footballer, playing for Newcastle United, West Ham, Sunderland, Chelsea and Carlisle as a centre forward. Although diminutive, Pop was one of the most prolific goalscorers of his generation, yet was only ever an England Under-23 International, never managing to earn a full England Cap.

He first played for Newcastle United where he won the Second Division Title and the Fairs Cup in 1969 when he formed a productive partnership with Welshman Wyn Davies.

In February 1971 he became West Ham's record purchase when he signed for £120,000. He scored on his debut against Nottingham Forest. He was West Ham's leading scorer in two of his three seasons at Upton Park, winning Hammer of the Year when West Ham finished 6th in the First Division in 1972-73.

He made a return to the North-East to join Sunderland in July 1974 for £145,000.

He rejoined West Ham in October 1976, coming Runner-Up to Alan Devonshire as Hammer of the Year in the 1978-79 season. During his two spells at West Ham, he made 254 appearances, scoring 104 goals.

He once again returning to Roker Park in June 1979 for £45,000. Robson played for Sunderland on three separate occasions, his goals twice helping them to promotion, as Division 2 Champions 1976 and Runners Up in 1980.

Pop was employed as a player/coach by Carlisle, Chelsea and Sunderland during his third stint there. He even stepped in as caretaker manager for one game during the 1983-84 season before the arrival of Len Ashurst. In 1982 Carlisle managed promotion back to the Second Division with a young Peter Beardsley alongside Robson in attack.

Robson is perhaps most fondly remembered by the Sunderland fans for the great rescue act on the last day of the 1983-84 season at Leicester. Recalled to lead the front line at the ripe old age of 38 years and 182 days, the Bald Assassin scored his last ever goal for the Black Cats in a 2-0 win that saved the team from relegation. In his three stays at the club he amassed 174 appearances (10 from the bench) and 67 goals. He also managed the club as caretaker for a single game in 1984 following the sacking of Alan Durban.

He finished his playing days at Carlisle with a career that saw him make a total of 674 appearances and score 265 goals.

After his playing career finished he went into coaching, becoming assistant manager to Bobby Moncur at Hartlepool. He was later a coach at Manchester United, before becoming youth team coach at Sunderland.

In July 2000 he left them to join Brian Kidd's team of coaches at Leeds United. He was appointed Assistant Youth Academy Coach in charge of the development of the Under-17's in July 2000, and the following season he stepped up to coach the Under-19's. He remained in the job until May 2004, when he left after Kevin Blackwell took charge of the first team.

He went on to scout for Birmingham City.

In the October 2004 issue of EX, a retro magazine dedicated to former players of West Ham United, Bryan reflected on his two spells at Upton Park and revealed his regret at not staying longer.

It is reported that he now owns a newsagents in the North-East of England, in Hexham, Northumberland.

[edit] Quotes

• "When you are a scorer the public judge you on how many goals you get rather than on how well you are playing and that's just another pressure you have to learn to live with and cope with." - Bryan 'Pop' Robson
• "Unlike Don Hutchison, Pop was a goalscoring phenomenon loved by the fans of both clubs." - Wearsider John Hudson, recalling Pop's spells at both West Ham and Sunderland.

Preceded by: Alan Durban

Sunderland Caretaker Manager 1984

Succeeded by: Len Ashurst