One of the most decorated players of his generation, Bryan Robson’s
playing career spanned 22 years, during which time he won every major trophy on offer in English football.
Born in January 1957 in Chester-le-Street, North-East England, Robson was
signed on an apprenticeship by West Bromwich Albion at the age of 15. He spent a total of eight seasons at The Hawthorns, making 198 appearances, scoring 40 goals.
In September 1981, Robson followed manager outgoing West Bromwich
Albion manager Ron Atkinson to join Manchester United. Robson signed for a then record British transfer fee of £1.5 million.
It was at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ where Robson experienced the highlights
of his glittering career. Robson wore the fabled number 7 shirt and was handed the United captaincy by Atkinson. Robson lifted his first piece of silverware in 1983 after Manchester United defeated Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup Final.
Atkinson was replaced as manager by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986 but
Robson remained in favour, going on to lift his second FA Cup in 1990 after victory against Crystal Palace in the final. The 1990/1 signalled European glory for Robson as United beat Barcelona 2-1 to secure the European Cup Winners Cup, and went on to win the UEFA Super Cup the following August.
Robson’s England career came to an end in the 1991/2 season having
achieved a total of 90 caps. However, he was to play his part in Manchester United’s title winning side of the 1992/3 season, the first season of the Premier League. Robson helped the ‘Red Devils’ retain the title the following season. His spell in Manchester also garnered a further two FA Cups, a League Cup and three Charity Shield successes.
After 345 and 74 goals, the sun set on Robson’s career at Old Trafford and he accepted the role of player/manager at Middlesbrough. A dream first season culminated in the Teesiders winning promotion to the Premier League having won the Division 1 title. Middlesbrough were runners up in both FA Cup and League Cup finals in 1997, but suffered relegation in the same season.
Managerial spells at West Bromwich Albion, Bradford City and Sheffield
United followed his departure from Middlesbrough in 2001. He received an OBE in the 1990 New Year’s Honours list and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
JAMIE REDKNAPP b.25 June 1973 in Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire
One of the most popular and talented footballers of his generation, Jamie Redknapp was a central midfielder with a keen eye for a pass and a knack for scoring spectacular goals. Though injuries prevented him from achieving the accolades many believed his talent deserved, he nonetheless accomplished a great deal during a playing career spanning four clubs and over 300 senior appearances.
Redknapp started his professional career at Bournemouth in 1989 under
his father, manager Harry Redknapp. There, the soon attracted the attention of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who signed the playmaker in January 1991. After scoring on his debut against Southampton, the ensuing years saw Redknapp become a first-team regular at Anfield, later full club captain.
After over a decade at Anfield and with a 1995 League Cup winners’ medal to his name, he made the switch to Tottenham Hotspur in 2002. Redknapp spent two and a half years at White Hart Lane before being reunited with his father Harry, this time at Southampton. He joined the Saints’ ultimately unsuccessful fight against relegation before deciding to retire from the game at the end of that season on the advice of medical specialists, aged 32.
Redknapp won 17 full England caps, making his debut on 6 September
1995 against Columbia at Wembley and scoring his only international goal against Belgium at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland in 1999. He played a part in Euro 1996 before injury ruled him out of the World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 squads. Redknapp’s retirement has seen him develop a successful career in the media. In addition to being one of the principle pundits on Sky Sports, he writes a regular column for the Daily Mail and jointly produces the magazine Icon with former pop star wife Louise.
