Robson faces fifth cancer ordeal

Former England coach Bobby Robson has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.

The 74-year-old Robson said he began a six-week course of chemotherapy last week to treat small cancerous nodules in his lungs.

"Of course it's not the greatest news I've ever had, but I have fought hard throughout my life and I will continue to fight," Robson told The Mail on Sunday newspaper. "I will battle as I've always done."
A former manager of Ipswich, FC Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto, Robson now works as an adviser to Ireland coach Steve Staunton.

He has had four operations to treat cancer in the past 15 years and also underwent surgery on a brain tumor in August 2006. Robson said his current cancer could not be treated by an operation.

"The good news is that they are measuring the nodules in my lungs in millimeters rather than centimeters," Robson said. "That is encouraging and we are hopeful the treatment will keep it under control.

"I've been advised to keep busy and active, and that's what I will be trying to do whenever possible."

Robson, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001, said he would attend his annual charity golf day in Portugal next week, before celebrating his 52nd wedding anniversary next month with wife Elsie.

Robson made 20 appearances for England, playing at the 1958 and '62 World Cup. He played with Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and in the North American Soccer League with the Vancouver Royals.

He was England coach from 1982-90, taking the team to the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup and the semifinals of the 1990 edition.