My Life in Football by Trevor Brooking

Author:Trevor Brooking [Brooking, Sir Trevor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471130465
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

CHAPTER 11

FAREWELL TO UPTON PARK

WHAT NOW? That was the question I asked myself in the late summer of 1982. The events in Spain remained an enduring source of regret, a disappointment enhanced by the knowledge that my chances of having a second stab at the World Cup were precisely nil. The opportunity of a lifetime had been and gone. I was approaching 34 and had just been told that my groin injury – the reason I was unable to play a more significant role in Spain – would require major surgery.

Dr Brian Roper, the West Ham surgeon, was quite graphic and detailed when he described the options available to someone with my condition. ‘We can sort it out but if you don’t have the operation you’ll have problems for the rest of your life,’ he said. ‘Even getting in and out of a car will become painful.’ If I had the surgery he reckoned that I’d be out of action at the very least for six months, probably longer. I still felt that I had a bit of life left in me. I wanted to play for a season or two longer at West Ham, although I had already accepted that my brief appearance against Spain in the World Cup in June had been my last cap for England. Forty-seven wasn’t bad but I had been hoping to finish with 50 caps.

Bobby Robson, anointed as Ron Greenwood’s successor before the World Cup, took the reins officially at the start of 1982–83. He worked under Ron as manager of the B team, and was scouting in Spain, and his promotion to the top job was precisely the graduation process that Ron had envisaged when he originally appointed his team of coaches. Bobby’s first match in charge was against Denmark in Copenhagen in a European Championship qualifying tie. He was often accused during his eight years as manager of being indecisive – but there was nothing indecisive about his first squad.

To everyone’s surprise he left out the England captain Kevin Keegan, who learned from the press that his reign was over after 63 caps. Considering Bobby’s experience as a manager, I was a bit taken aback that he had not personally informed a player of Kevin’s stature that he was being left out. I believe he could have used a player of Kevin’s knowledge and standing in the game. Kevin was 31. He was furious when he learned that he’d been axed. Having been let down by the outgoing England manager he now found himself let down by his successor as well.

Several of Ron’s squad were 30 or over and Bobby clearly felt that he had to plan for the longer term. Ray Wilkins, at 26, was made captain though that appointment was not to last. I knew I wouldn’t get back into the squad, but I felt sorry for Kevin. I wonder now how Bobby felt a year later when it became obvious that he would fail in his first challenge as England manager – qualifying for the 1984 European Championship.

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