Manchester United’s “Captain” – Bryan Robson

Bryan Robson is regarded as one of the best Manchester United players ever to have graced the club. Starting his football career in 1972 with West Bromwich Albion and ending it in 1997 playing against Arsenal 10 days before his 40^th birthday saying in his autobiography that he knew it was time to retire when he was having issues keeping up with Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright. Although being plagued with leg injuries early on at the start of his career, this did not hamper his rise to stardom. Not only is he a talented football player he was also known as club manager and in 2008 was appointed as one of Manchester United’s ambassador promoting the club’s charitable and commercial projects.

Robson, like all the other famous football players, had an early start in the sport. His love and passion for it fueled his desire to excel in the game. When he was young he supported Newcastle United and idolized their forward Wyn Davies. Little did he know at that time that he would become even more famous than Davis himself.

Bryan was captain of his secondary school football team and had trials with West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, and Coventry City. At the young age of 15 in the summer of 1972, he accepted Don Howe’s (Albion manager) offer of an apprenticeship with wages of £5 per week for the 1^st year and an increase to £8 in his 2^nd year. He signed a professional contract with Albion in 1974. His years with Albion did not really give him the chance to shine until he transferred to Manchester United for a record breaking transfer fee of £1.5 million on the 1^st of October 1981 where he had his glory years with the Red Devils. Robson’s transfer fee at that time was a record he held for 6 years and only broken in 1987. To quote him on the transfer to United – “Money wasn’t my main motivation. I simply wanted to be a winner.” Indeed he lived up to those words.

In 1982, Bryan Robson was appointed club captain and he held this title for 12 years with Manchester United and holds a record for it. During these years, he was highly regarded as an inspiration to the team and fans. He was the epitome of the complete football player coupled with unending stamina and courage. He could run for great periods of time, and had excellent pace. He was able to defend & tackle, pass short & long, score goals, head the ball and shoot it as well. He led his fellow players on and off the field and with this earned the respect of his co-players and management as well. He is regarded as the shining beacon in the 80’s when Manchester United was in a barren spell.

Cheers to you Bryan Robson for being a shining beacon for Manchester United in their troubled times. And with that, we dedicate this song “You Raise Me Up” featuring Jaclyn Victor and Cleopatra to Manchester United’s "captain" – Bryan Robson.