Ex-Midddlesbrough stars back Bryan Robson

Jul 24 2011 by Alastair Craig, Sunday Sun

FORMER North football colleagues of controversy-hit Bryan Robson have backed him to come through his TV sting ordeal.

The former Middlesbrough manager is taking legal advice over a Channel 4 Dispatches programme in which he is alleged to have offered Thailand businessmen advice about avoiding strict rules on football ownership.

The undercover interview showed Robson drinking lager and apparently claiming his relationships with former team-mates and managers could help with transfers to any club targeted.

The Football Association is monitoring footage before deciding whether to take any action against Robson, and it is reported his position as a Manchester United ambassador has been called into question.

Robson, who recently resigned as boss of the Thailand national team, and has fought throat cancer, managed full-time at the Riverside stadium from 1996 to 2001.

The former player, nicknamed “Captain Marvel”, won Boro promotion to the Premier League in his first season, and in 1996–97 led his side to both domestic cup finals.

Boro legend Dean Gordon, who was one of Robson’s key defensive signings when he was on Teesside, said last night that Channel 4 had done nothing more than “kick an ill man when he’s down”.

“I’ve seen this kind of thing before with the media and I don’t agree with it,” he said. “The whole thing seems to be have been taken out of context.

“Bryan has been violated and caught on a recording when he’s said something he clearly didn’t mean.

“I really feel for him. He’s one of football’s good guys and he did so much for me in my time playing for Middlesbrough.

“Playing under him was a dream come true.