After Dinner Speakers: Bobby Robson, Bronski Beat, Nelson Mandella

One of world football's most experienced managers and coaches, North-Easterner Robson returned home to Newcastle United in September 1999 for what he calls 'my last job'. A Newcastle supporter since childhood, County Durham-born Robson managed England for eight years between 1982 and 1990 as well as top European clubs Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven. He started out as a player with Fulham, whom he joined from his local club Langley Park Juniors in 1950, and as an inside-forward he scored 68 goals in 152 games. In March 1956, Robson joined West Bromwich Albion, where he played 239 times, netting 56 goals, before returning to Fulham in 1962, where he played a further 192 games, scoring nine goals. With West Bromwich, Robson made his England debut against France at Wembley in November 1957, scoring twice from inside-right in a 4-0 victory. Despite that success, he had to wait six months for his second cap - against Russia in Moscow - and was then elevated to the 1958 World Cup squad, playing a second time against Russia, then Brazil and Australia, and going on to total 20 caps in the next four years. I In 1967 Robson left Fulham to become player-coach of Vancouver Whitecaps, but the job fell through and he returned to take over as manager at Fulham in January 1968. Already well on the way to relegation, Robson carried on into the 1968-69 Second Division season but was sacked in November 1968 after a moderate start. Within two months he was appointed Ipswich Town manager and after two difficult years he embarked on a magnificent run of success which catapulted the Suffolk club into the top echelon of English football. Playing stylish football, Ipswich took the 1978 F.A. Cup and the 1981 UEFA Cup to Portman Road. After the 1982 World Cup, Robson was the F.A. choice to replace Ron Greenwood as England Manager and in 1986 he led them to the World Cup Quarter-Finals. Four years later, in Italy, he steered England to the Semi-Final, where they were beaten only on penalties by West Germany. With PSV Eindhoven, Robson won the 1991 and 1992 Dutch Championships then switched to Portugal to take over Sporting Lisbon. The Lisbon episode, however, ended in a sensational and controversial sacking in December 1993, even though Sporting stood top of the league, President Jose Sousa Cintra dismissed him in the aftermath of UEFA Cup defeat by Casino Salzburg. Within weeks, Robson was appointed head coach at FC Porto - and masterminded that season's Portuguese Cup Final victory over his former club Sporting Lisbon. The following season, he led Porto to the title then second place in 1996 before resigning to take over at mighty Barcelona. Despite leading Barca to the 1997 European Cup-Winners' Cup, Robson had to concede his role as coach to Louis van Gaal and was appointed Technical Director in charge of transfers. His loyalty to Barcelona had by then precluded him from taking charge at Newcastle following the departure of Kevin Keegan in January 1997. In 1998, Robson returned to Eindhoven on a one-year contract to replace the departing Dick Advocaat. And finally, aged 66 in September 1999, after the registration of Ruud Gullit at St James' Park, Robson joined the club he supported as man and boy, Newcastle United.