The sporting hero is an ambiguous being. Sometimes they are thrust into the popular conscience of the nation on the back of a fantastic sporting triumph, only later to be cast aside. Who can forget the great swell of support for Audley Harrison following his Olympic gold? How quickly this hero was transformed into a laughing stock.

There is also the local hero, the person who means so much to the supporters of a particular team or area but who hardly registers with the rest of us. Every lower league football team has their legend, yet the same player may never have crossed the minds of the supporter of another club.

Then there is the controversial figure – a hero to some, a villain to others. In many ways, Jose Mourinho fitted into this category during his time at Chelsea. Many people admired his conviction, his confidence and his style. He was the breath of fresh air the Premiership needed. To others, however, he was rude, arrogant and self-obsessed.

‘What Robson has achieved in his distinguished career we will probably never see happen again.’


Finally, there is the truly special case of the sporting hero who is popular across the nation. One who does not find themselves riding the wave of a single achievement, who does not only belong to a select group of supporters and one who bridges generations. Not many people fall into this category but at the BBC Sports Personality awards one of them was present.

When Sir Bobby Robson stepped forward to receive his lifetime achievement award everyone in the arena rose to give him a standing ovation. From Sir Clive Woodward to Sir Steve Redgrave, from Jonny Wilkinson to Sir Stirling Moss, from Gary Lineker to the bloke in the back row, everyone stood to show his or her appreciation.

It seemed as if the applause would never cease but when it did Sir Alex Ferguson was welcomed to the stage to present the award. Bobby’s eyes lit up at this as if he was a little child meeting the great manager. The 74-year-old was gracious as ever, thanking his family, coaches and players who have supported him throughout his 52-year career in the world of football.

“Nobody wins anything on their own,” said Robson. “This award really is an extension and opportunity for me to say thank you very much to everybody who has supported me. Without the players, without the people that worked for me and that I inherited I wouldn't be here tonight.”

This was a true sporting great being thanked for decades of devotion to the game but it seems that he is one of a dying breed. It was refreshing to see someone who has played against Garrincha, managed at the Nou Camp and been knighted by the Queen remain so rooted. He’s never boasted like Mourinho, never bad mouthed rivals or played mind games like Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, and never lost touch with the fans.

What Robson has achieved in his distinguished career we will probably never see happen again. He guided Ipswich Town to FA Cup and UEFA Cup triumphs and two runners-up finishes in the league. He came closer than anyone since 1966 to leading England to World Cup glory when losing on penalties to the Germans at Italia 90.

Following his spell as England manager, Robson joined Sporting Lisbon, where his Portuguese translator was a certain Jose Mourinho. The pair then moved on to FC Porto and led the team to back-to-back league title. Barcelona was the next club to benefit from Robson’s leadership and in his time there the club won three trophiess in the 1996-97 season when Robson was named European coach of the year. No other English manager has moved abroad with such success.

Robson is admired and respected by all for his achievements as a player and manager, but equally for his enthusiasm and good nature. His lifetime achievement award was fully deserved and the reception he received was a true indication of how much the public admires and respects him. It should also act as a lesson to many of the over-hyped, over-paid and out of touch players and managers in the Premier League – this is the kind of sporting hero we are all looking for.