Reds Women Inspired By Sir Bobby

The words of a former England manager, through the mouth of the current, Nottingham Forest Women manager, proved an inspiration behind the victory for the Reds at the weekend in the East Midlands derby.

In what is probably one of the biggest victories of his managerial reign in charge of Forest Women, Teessider Andy Cook, was seen to take inspiration from a fellow, former North-East manager, the esteemed Sir Bobby Robson (1933-2009).

Robson, who was born in County Durham, enjoyed a playing career which lasted some eighteen years, before embarking upon a managerial career which would see him take in spells abroad, in Holland (PSV Eindhoven 1990-92, 1998-99), Portugal (Sporting Lisbon 1992-94, FC Porto 1994-96), Spain (1996-97), and back in his native North-East, with Newcastle United (1999-2004).

Although Robson won numerous trophies throughout his career, his perhaps, greatest moment, as manager, was when in charge of the England national team; Italia ’90 would see him lead the Three Lions to a glorious, yet heart-breaking, fourth place finish, in Italy.

The quote, one which was taken from his book ‘Newcastle: My Kind of Toon” (2008), said:

“What is a club in any case?

“Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

“It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

“It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.

“It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.”

In training, prior to the Reds’ FA Women’s National League North clash with Derby County, coincidentally won by Forest 3-1 (Charlotte Greengrass 2, Niamh Reynolds), and in front of a record crowd of 5,082, that quote, from Cook to his charges, seemingly did the trick.

Well, that and a pre-match team-talk from Simon Fotherignham, Cook adding:

“On Wednesday night I explained the quote to the players. Regardless of the outcome they will inspire girls and boys through the performance they give.

“They did exactly that. Look at what it means to everyone.

“This group of people I get to work with are a phenomenal team.”

As for bringing in Fotheringham, someone who has a lengthy connection to football in Nottingham, having worked at both County, and now Forest, Cook said

“Special mention to Simon Fotheringham who gave us the pre-match team-talk we needed.

“So much pride, passion and love for this club, and played a big part in the win.”

Never has there been, truer words said, and now, third placed Forest, prepare for their next challenge, a home game with Brighouse Town Ladies, on Sunday 23 October.