shannon2007

The Bobby Robson Challenge - by Bobbev

My earlier Brian Clough challenge proved to be quite popular initially but many people lost interest because of its inherently linear nature. In constructing this challenge I have tried to keep the elements that worked well in the original but also introduce a lot more flexibility.

Your basic objective is to try to emulate the achievements of the great Sir Bobby Robson, perhaps the most successful manager of his generation. He started his coaching career in Canada with the Vancouver Whitecaps before returning to England to manage Fulham. After being sacked by the London club he took over at Ipswich, making them one of the most successful clubs in the country. In 1982 he took over as England manager and after two successful World Cup campaigns he went back into club management in Europe. He found great success in Holland, Portugal and Spain before returning to take charge at Newcastle, the club of his dreams.

In summary, Sir Bobby achieved the following.

Ipswich Town
FA Cup winners
UEFA Cup winners
Twice runners-up in Division One (now the Premiership)

England
World Cup Semi Finals

PSV Eindhoven
Twice Dutch champions

FC Porto
Twice Portuguese champions
Portuguese Cup winners

Barcelona
Spanish Cup winners
European Cup Winners Cup winners
Primera Liga runners-up

Newcastle
UEFA Cup Semi Finals
Three top-5 Premiership finishes

In order to eclipse the man himself your challenge is to achieve the following.

Stage 1 – Domestic Success
Win the Premiership, a domestic cup and a European trophy with any club from the Championship.

Stage 2 – Travelling The World
Win two Dutch league titles with any club from Holland.
Win two Portuguese titles and the domestic Cup with any team from Portugal.
Win the Spanish League and Cup and a European trophy with any Spanish team.
Take England to the Final of a major international tournament.

The elements of Stage 2 may be completed in any order that you wish.

Stage 3 – Coming Home
Win the Premiership with Newcastle (or optionally any club from the North East – Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Darlington etc.)

retired_bbcarr

If people try this one, could they add (BRC) to the end of their title. It helps Raprot with his index.

retired_amyslack

Well as it was my idea I suppose that I better get the ball rolling. Here is my tale of Absolute Bobbins.

Sorry Simon - I forgot to add the (BRC) bit after the title. You'd think that I'd be able to follow a simple instruction at my age

BarryLFC

Yeah, like "stop peeing yourself". :/

retired_amyslack

HD - I do that for pleasure and I could stop it anytime I wanted to, honest.

retired_bbcarr

Added it in for you, old man :thup:

retired_amyslack

Thank you so much Simon - at least you don't take the mickey out a poor old pensioner, unlike some I could mention.

retired_6speeds

who's a poor pentionar?

retired_amyslack

I am Lewis. I am very old indeed, by far the oldest person here, with grey hair and no teeth and an embarrassing bladder problem that I really don't want to talk about in public.

retired_bbcarr

My pathetic, short-lived attempt can be found here