Thoughts on Sir Bobby from Gaz

When Bobby came in 1999, I had major doubts. I can’t quite recall why, I thought he was getting on a bit and wasn’t sure if he was right for us at the time.

How wrong I was.

He was the grandad you’d lost, the uncle you never met. He was Mr Newcastle.

I met him a few months ago at a book signing. He was completely knackered, he needed help to his seat, help for someone to open the books for him, his left-side was gone completely. And yet, it was he who made the first move to shake the hand of every single person there. They’d said “no photos” - balls to that, said Bobby. Every single person had a chat and a picture with a man who had time for everyone.

It’s devastating to think he died with NUFC in such a state - and the club, and everyone involved with him - owes it to the man to restore ourselves to where we one were.

RIP a legend. 1933-2009.